Phreedum: You are a midst final preparations for the PassionArt Designs Grand Opening this Saturday, April 14th, 2012. However, when we spoke this past October you only had an online presence. Talk to me about the decision to go from your in home studio and online to a store?
SS: Having a space where people can come and socialize,
network, see the process of the garments and paintings being made, and shop has
always been a goal for PassionArt Designs. I think deciding when that was going
to be a reality was the tricky part. I knew that the “when” would be dependent
upon several things such as having a solid team and the financial backing. Both
things fell into place recently and unexpectedly which was how I knew it was time to open up
shop.
Phreedum:
Talk
to me about expanding and utilizing a team to continue to fulfill the
PassionArt Designs dream?
SS: I never really agreed with the whole “starving artist”
model. I get that it happens. I get that as an artist much of your work is from
and for passion as opposed to pay. However I have yet to meet an artist that
doesn’t at some point or another dream of the venture capitalist or angel
investor. In the past I would say I’ve always been surrounded by other creative
people but my team really lacked financial business savvy people. Recently two
people joined the team that has these skills. You can be creative all you want,
but if you don’t have the means to get your creativity to the masses then what
good is it? Growing my team beyond other
creative and supportive people I think has really just completed PassionArt Designs
and is allowing it to go to another level.
Phreedum: What makes for good team dynamics?
SS: You can’t help but to have great team dynamics when the
people on your team understand and commit to the team mission, they know their
roles, and they know how their role helps fulfill the overall mission.
Phreedum: How has opening a store changed you if at all?
SS: I think it’s just made me even more focused. My
responsibilities went up a notch. This means I have to focus even harder to wisely
use resources like time and energy to ensure things are as they should be in
order for people to fully understand, engage with, and enjoy the PassionArt Designs
experience.
Phreedum: What do you believe a store can offer customers and
community members that your online presence didn't offer?
SS: I think no matter how personable you try to make your
website through videos, blogs, and the like; there is nothing to be compared to
the feeling of actually interacting with people when considering a purchase.
Because PassionArt Designs will be more than retail, people can come in and see
the process of products being made and enjoy great art created by other artists
in Philadelphia. You can’t do that online.
Phreedum: You mentioned that the store is more than just retail and
you talked a little about seeing the process of the garments, what can we
expect to see from the store in the way of products and over all utilization of
the space?
SS: You can expect to see rotating art shows featuring a different
artist each month, both clothing and
accessories such as our handbags, clothing of other local Designsers, and work
stations so you can see paintings and one of a kind clothing being made. People
will get to experience the process and the product.
Phreedum: Why did you choose to open shop in Philadelphia and more
specifically why the location you chose?
SS: I was born and raised in Philly and I feel in order to
branch out, your roots need to be as strong as possible. I want PassionArt Designs
to be international yet I realize I need to fully embrace home (Philly) and the market I have here. As far
as the store location in Philadelphia- it’s in my community. Like I said, I
believe in strong roots.
Phreedum: You were also recently selected as a Philly 360 Creative Ambassador. Can you tell me more
about that?
SS: Sure. First, the offer from an investor to open a store for
PassionArt Designs and being selected as a Philly 360 Creative Ambassador
happened in the span of about two weeks.
I take being an ambassador very seriously. In part because being
selected means that there is a team of people who recognize the work that I have been doing. I didn’t have to “try” to be
an ambassador I just had to do what I was doing through PassionArt Designs and
I was selected. I also take it seriously because I think it is position of influence.
Phreedum: How so?
SS: As a Creative Ambassador you are given numerous opportunities
to attend and engage in a variety of creative/artistic events throughout the
city. As you go to these events and you write about them and “endorse” them you
have people who are ultimately being influenced to some degree on what you say
and what events you attend. I also think it’s an influential position because I
get to influence, or help mold, the creative scene in Philadelphia. I get to
grow my network and better understand and support Philadelphia’s creative
community. I love being an ambassador.
Phreedum: We first met you in October 2011 and here we are six months
later and you are prepping for your grand opening. What can we see from
PassionArt Designs in another 6 months?
SS: Wow it was only six months ago?! Oh my goodness. You know I
don’t think I expected all that has happened in these past six months to have
happened. It makes me nervous to have expectations for the next six months. I will
say that you can expect greater things from PassionArt Designss. We have a
really exciting summer lined up. There will be some really great artists that
will be at the store and some great shows we will be a part of throughout the
city. In the next six months just expect consistent greatness.
Stop by the Grand Opening Saturday April 14th,
2012
6629 Chew Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
2pm-6pm
Family friendly
Fashion show to begin at 4pm
Grilled Food (first come first
serve)
Guest DJ
Photo shoot
Shopping
For more information about PassionArt Designs visit http:// www.serenasart.com Follow @PassionArtDLLC on Twitter and "like" PassionArt Designs on Facebook
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