Daina Saleh, 630 200 6819; editor Karen Sorensen, 312-358-9548
Business name: Painting with a Twist
Address: 2835 Showplace Drive, Naperville
Phone/website: 630-445-2062 ,www.paintingwithatwist.com/chicago-naperville
Owner name: Brenda Gregory, franchise owner of first Illinois location
Naperville resident? Moved to Naperville at age 15 when her father started Boulder Terrace Animal Hospital on Ogden Avenue
Opening date: Feb. 15, 2016
What does this business do? “Group classes are led by local art instructors and guests paint on 16-inch-by-20-inch canvases,” Gregory said. “We provide paint and brushes. An ‘Inspiration Bar’ at this location offers guests a selection of wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase. It’s a fun setting and brings out the artist in everyone.” Patrons choose from a selection of “easy to follow pieces of art” designed for the inexperienced painter that include landscapes, abstracts, animals, iconic buildings and florals.
How many full- and part-time employees do you have? “I employ eight local artists to teach the different classes. They are very diverse, very supportive and very creative, and already feel like family. They are artists by trade,” Gregory said.
What was the impetus for starting this business? Gregory was a Kane County court reporter before changing careers and becoming a CART provider, and doing realtime captioning for a hearing impaired student at Indian Prairie School District 204 and remotely for other people. “I really wanted a new lifestyle. Something that was the next phase of my life. I always wanted my own business and I’ve always been creative on the side. … I took a (painting) class some time ago in a restaurant and loved it. I said to myself, I wish I was an artist. … (Then) I saw that they actually have these studios in brick and mortar, and learned you don’t have to be an artist to do this.”
What is the best thing about being in Naperville? “For one, it is extremely diverse. We have a lot of market to go after as far as age groups and communities surrounding us. Having been a resident here forever, I feel like it’s like a small, close-knit community within a big city. And I really like that small-town feel.”
Why did you choose this location? “I always had this area in mind. We live somewhere in central Naperville. I wanted something that is a distance away from someone who is already established and doing really well. This only helps our industry. And I wanted somewhere too that has plenty of parking.”
What is the biggest challenge about being in Naperville? “I will say it’s expensive and there are a lot of things to go through (before being able to open). But as far as working with the city, I have had a phenomenal experience and I even told the mayor that at the grand opening. Everyone was so nice and so helpful and friendly and willing to do whatever they could to help me, and I was just amazed.”
What is the most popular canvas? “I know the Buddha is a big one, and then we had some made custom for us in the Chicago area. … So we have Navy Pier and Buckingham Fountain. We have a library of over 6,000 paintings to choose one. We have the popular ones but try to throw in some new ones.”
How much does it cost? Two-hour classes are $35, three-hour classes are $45, and select family and seniors classes are $25. Group and party packages are available.
What is the thing you like most about your business? “I just want people to come here, love it and have fun, get away and have a good time.”
What’s your least favorite thing to do? “Scheduling. That’s a challenge.”
What’s the best thing about owning your own business? “I got to reinvent myself again and get in touch with my creative side. I get real emotional about this, but my (21-year-old) son said this is perfect for me. … He texted, ‘I’m so proud of you. You’re inspiring to me.’ I think it’s given him the courage to know that anything is possible.”
What is the biggest misconception about your business? “That you have to be an artist to be able to do it. Especially men. ‘I can’t even draw a stick figure’ is the most common thing you’ll hear them say. And it’s fun to watch the ones who come in who are really afraid, and afterwards they are surprised at themselves.”
Do you have any future plans to expand? “It’s not something I’ve taken off the table completely, but right now I just want to build this up and enjoy it and make sure that everyone is having a good experience. And also help get this franchise the recognition it has in other states.”
What advice would you give someone thinking about opening a business? “Definitely choose people that you feel in your gut are easy to work with and you feel comfortable with. Genuine. I don’t know if I mentioned that the owners (Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney, who founded the business in 2007 and started franchising in 2009) came to the grand opening. That would be my recommendation, find someone willing to work with you.”
Daina Saleh is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.
