“The need to want to supplement my income and use skills that I already had is what motivated me to be an entrepreneur. I have been an artist for my entire life and an art teacher for 12 years. I provided face painting for my family and friends free of charge. I had a passion for this and wanted to have extra income. Therefore, I decided to turn my passion into a business that I can call my soul source of income.   

 

 

“After successfully painting my best friend’s daughter’s face for her birthday. My best friend was so pleased with me that she recommended that I should do this as a business. Afterward, I posted on Facebook: “If anyone is interested in face painting for birthday parties and event’s contact me.

“When I went to school and became an Art teacher for Camden City Public Schools and then went to University of Arts in Philadelphia for graduate school; where I realized I needed a lot more experience on how to run a business. Afterward, a friend of mine recommended me too subscribe to LEADA’s mailing list. Then through regular emails I learned about the Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP). After learning about the EDTP Program I knew I had to take this course because doing so would be perfect for me in order to learn about business.”

 

 

“Definitely enjoyed the program aside from great professional instructors and the classmates I learned a lot. I learned all the ins and outs of running a business and learned things I didn’t know I needed to do. Taking this program better prepared me on how to run a business. I am glad I took the EDTP because it lifted a weight off my shoulder on how to prepare a business plan because without it there is no guidance and you have no documentation to track your business. The business plan allows you to analyze the business and really pick it apart. It is a continuous challenge on how to go about starting a business while still working a full time job and taking care of my family and household. I overcame this challenge by holding onto my passion and motivation that I had for my startup. Afterward, when I saw my business grow from one year to the other; it motivated me even more to continue working on my startup with the passion I had for it. I was able to build great relationships with my clients because of the knowledge I obtained through taking the EDTP in which I also learned to keep detailed and accurate track of books. All this knowledge helped me to better service my clients and to perform my tasks in a systemic way. 

 

 

“Well my business is really growing. I work with subcontractors because these artists allow me to cover more parties. If I cannot make it to all the parties because I have a party to cover myself then my subcontractors cover them for me. “It’s a me, myself and I business; I don’t have any employees.”

 

 

“Be ready to use all of your time. It is time consuming. If you want your business to succeed and flourish you have to dedicate a lot of time to it. Have family support because without it, it may not be possible. Have to sacrifice a lot and at the same time find a balance.”