Editor’s note: This month’s Business Beacon is a spotlight on The Traveling Painter, an enriching paint-and-sip-style art experience at venues from Pensacola to Panama City. Owner Emily Day talks to us painting, her passion for art and what it’s like building a business in paradise. You can find her on the web, Facebook and Instagram.
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1. How did you get the idea or concept for your business?
ED: I started my business, The Traveling Painter, in 2019 as a way to bring art to the community. I travel to different venues and host paint-and-sip-style events for those interested in creating something fun and new!
2. Let’s discuss numbers: What year did you open? How many locations do you have? How many people do you employ?
ED: 2019 is when I started The Traveling Painter as a hobby, but I decided to create it as a formal business in January 2021. I travel to different venues from Pensacola all the way east to Panama City. I host both public and private paint events, and currently, it is just me!
3. What do you sell or what service do you provide? What’s your best seller?
ED: I provide the service of an art instructor to those who decide to sign up and attend a class or event. Each is guided through some general instruction combined with the artistic freedom for participants to create a masterpiece painting!
4. What’s unique about what you do or offer?
ED: I think my business is unique, but each event is always a little different. Each paint experience is a little different. I try to provide a lot of support and assistance to those who need it while also making it a fun and relaxing event for those attending. I try to change up the themes for events throughout the year; for example, we have had a Taylor Swift paint night and a sports team night where patrons chose their favorite team to paint. One of my more popular events is the “Paint Your Pet” event, where patrons can create a painting of their own pet!
5. How would you describe your business to a potential customer?
ED: I host public and private paint event classes throughout the Emerald Coast and they are designed for participants of all ages and artistic levels. I try to bring creativity and fun to the community through painting.
6. What do you love most about your line of work?
ED: I love owning my own business because I am able to take ownership of something that I am super proud of. I love getting to create with people from all over, people of all ages and all backgrounds. Some of my events are catered to kids and some to those just visiting on vacation. Each event is different and new and I have met some of the most amazing people through my line of work.
7. What sorts of trends are you seeing in your industry?
ED: I always try to keep things fun and exciting, so whether it is changing up the themes or the materials, I am always trying to adapt to changes and avoid doing the same thing for too long! I always want to provide a fun and engaging experience to those choosing to participate.
8. Tell me in just a sentence or two what you feel sets you apart from your competitors.
ED: I think my work ethic and my educational background allow me to stand out. I have gained a lot of experience working with kids of all ages, and through school, I’ve been able to earn my master’s in art history, so I hope to bring a fun educational element to some of my events if I can. I never want to stop learning and I think that helps me continue to grow.
9. Who or what inspires you? This could be a family member or celebrity, a particular quote or even a book/movie/podcast. The sky’s the limit!
ED: My family, for sure. My family members are some of the most hard-working individuals I’ve ever met, and they literally inspire me daily. My husband, Josh, is a constant support, along with my parents, Dave and Becky, who live here locally. My younger sisters, Lauren and Jessie, are both legends in my mind and while they don’t live here anymore, they constantly inspire me as they are blazing their own trails: Lauren as an assistant director for FSU and Jessie in corporate sponsorships in Los Angeles. These guys definitely allow me to grow and inspire me each day.
10. What’s the best thing about being a part of the Emerald Coast, personally and/or professionally?
ED: I absolutely love this community. As someone who has grown up here, the support and community connections I have is insane. I don’t think I would’ve been able to grow my business in this way anywhere else.
11. Are you/your business involved in the community in any way? Volunteering or giving back? If so, how?
ED: I love to work with different parts of the community wherever I can. I teach art classes twice a month at the Destin Senior Center. Last summer, I was able to be an art instructor for Northwest Florida’s Kids on Campus Program. I have also worked with a couple of organizations on paint and sip fundraisers, which have been amazing.
12. What does a typical day in your business look like? (Pretend it’s Monday (or Friday!) and take me through the highlights of your day.)
ED: I have two main styles of my days. It’s either a prep day or an event day. On a prep day, I answer any emails, update my social media and order materials I may need for upcoming events. These days also include painting future event samples and doing a bit of trial and error. On event days, I load my car with all the materials and head to the event venue. From there, I set up all of the materials and wait for patrons to arrive. Most of my events are about two hours, so I work with the group and help to create a painting! After the event, we break down and head home. My schedule is never really the same thing and I love that element of my job.
13. What’s your best “insider tip?” (This could be a community tip for vacationers or homeowners or even a tip for customers related to your business.)
ED: Join Facebook groups to market or see upcoming events in the area! That has helped me as a business owner in terms of posting my events, but I also love seeing everything that’s going on in the area as well!
14. How do you recharge or relax when the day is done?
ED: I love to go to the beach or pool, or relax with with some wine and a good show.
15. Just the deets, please! Where are you located? Business hours? Social media profiles and/or website links we need to know about? (Please feel free to add social media handles or direct links!)
ED: I live in Santa Rosa Beach. My website is thetravelingpainter.org and my socials are @thetravelingpainter1.
16. One final question: If there was just one thing you wish the public knew about your business, what would it be?
ED: That what I started as a side hustle/hobby is now my full time job and that alone is so rewarding; so if you have an idea and an opportunity to see it through, just try it! You never know what could happen.
