We were lucky to catch up with Samantha Domagala recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Samantha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Almost every entrepreneur we know has considered donating a portion of their sales to an organization or cause – how did you make the decision of whether to donate? We’d love to hear the backstory if you’re open to sharing the details.
Most recently I worked on a project I called “Elmwood Art Dogs”, where I went around the local park hanging flyers to request potential onlookers to submit a photo of their pet, along with an art hobby they would imagine their dog dabbling in. If the submission was selected for my final project, I would take time to make a sketch. Rather than paying me for the time and resources, I donated all of my proceeds to the Buffalo Animal Shelter. I chose that organization because many folks who submitted got their pet from the city shelter, or another local one.
I believe that if I was to do a project celebrating what I love, art and dogs, we should give back to those animals who need future homes.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
The Roaming Buffalo Art was based out of my childhood home in Niagara Falls New York. I’ve always grew up with parents supportive of creativity, even to this day they celebrate my achievements. I found when I was living at home, my art felt like a therapy.
I started under a previous name “Abroad Oil Paintings” as my work focused on architecture overseas, countries such as Amsterdam and Belgium.
As traveling became limited during the pandemic, I found myself gearing my art towards the appreciation of local architecture and landmarks. I realized a lot of similarities in particular areas, which allowed me to dive into understanding some history of Western New York. As I got to know facts about the past, I got to know stories of those around me, what made a particular place so significant to them in Western New York.
I’ve come to realize we’re all connected in some way with WNY, so this art is representative of that. Through the use of connecting lines, all while keeping a playful, whimsical, child-like style, the goal is to evoke some memory the viewer has when looking at one of my pieces.
Apart from making my pieces that can be seen all year round at art shows or at local shops, I open my books for a limited amount of slots, at multiple times throughout the year. I want to ensure that I can make a memorable piece for a client, whether it’s of a special place, or of their pet.
I hope however you come across my work, it elicits a memory or gets you excited for the future.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the most humbling, life changing moments was getting fired from a job I thought I would be a perfect fit. I first started out of college working at a corporate job, lasting approximately 3 years. During the pandemic, I decided to step away from my role as I wanted to purpose something more creative.
I secured a job in the interior design field with a company, not quite as corporate, but what appeared to be “family” oriented. I was a designer for 6 months. I thought I was very compatible with customers, very eager to make their ideas come to life.
I think my excitement and drive to succeed was seen as something threatening, and annoying to some coworkers. That felt more apparent when I was let go from my employer, as they “decided to go in a different direction”.
Experiencing being unemployed was a world full of shock and anxiety, but it was the best opportunity for me to grow as a business.
This gave me the moment to self reflect, try new things with my art, ultimately launch my career as an artist. It allowed me to research, strengthen my method as a painter while also understanding what it meant to operate a business.
My time as a professional artist has grown so much, that I’ve now circled my way back into the interior design world by collaborating with businesses to launch my very own wallpaper.
How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.
I do not sell on any platforms besides my direct website through Sprout Marketing. A referral from some friends got me connected to Taylor Wienke, who has helped me launch my prouduct online about 2-3 years ago. I feel more in control of my product line, display, but more importantly, the cost of being on a platform.
Although the downside of not being on a website like Etsy or Amazon is missing a large amount of reach, I’ve had many peers in the industry make note of the massive changes companies have made. Increasing processing fees, charging per item listed on a website, and allowing customers to “suggest” a purchase price in my opinion takes away from a successful small business. Having the ability to control your costs is extremely important to me.
Outside of online platforms, I sell at four different locations. My largest line of work is at Shopcraft on Elmwood, but I am located in two other parts in Buffalo and Clarance. Shopcraft does allow purchasing online, but their pricing and consignment agreement is consistent, regardless how a customer may purchase a piece.
Contact Info:
- Website: Theroamingbuffaloart.com
- Instagram: Theroamingbuffaloart
Image Credits
Photography of artist (self) and artist with pet done by Jessica Danae Photography. Booth display of Interiors of WNY at the Buffalo Home Show, featuring The Roaming Buffalo Art Western New York wallpaper