Imagine walking into a party filled with blank easels, painting implements and lots of music. Since April 2007 this has been the newest craze sweeping offices and parties around Perth, thanks to Cellina Prosser’s unique home based, “art jamming” business, Loaded Brush.
Cellina started her working life as a high school teacher and loved watching teenagers grow, learn and discover the secrets of life.
“I love providing opportunities for people to experience and learn for themselves rather than tell them what to do. With art jamming I get to sit back and watch adults go on a creative discovery tour,”” Cellina said.
This was one of the motivations for Cellina moving out of teaching into her own business.
Loaded Brush is an innovative new party idea which is proving popular with companies wanting to build teamwork and trust amongst employees, as well as individuals looking for that “something different” in party entertainment.
Cellina loves the freedom of running her own business from home; however she recognises that with that freedom comes great responsibility.
Having my own business has taught me to manage time better and appreciate my health a lot more. When you’re working for yourself you can’t call in sick because there’s no one else to cover for you,” Cellina said.
Cellina established a large network of people who helped her set up her business. Through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) she received some financial support but most importantly Cellina found a mentor and experienced people she could learn from.
Cellina set up a five year business plan and is already thinking of modifications that need to be made.
“A lot of people I spoke to had gone into business without a plan and had made so many avoidable mistakes. I started reading a lot of books and speaking with some really supportive, encouraging people before I made my plan,” Cellina said.
The most difficult barrier for Cellina to overcome was breaking into the Perth market with such a new business idea.
“I like to treat difficulties and problems in my path as interesting challenges,” she said.
But the isolation of running a business from home, particularly such a creative business, has been a challenge for Cellina.
“It’s hard not being able to bounce ideas off other people and I miss the human interaction of having people around,” Cellina said.
“The SBDC’s Home Based Business Network has been great in putting me in touch with other business owners online but I would like to meet them face to face a bit more often.”
Cellina says the only other downfall of having a home based business is not having a shopfront to promote the business.
The plan for Loaded Brush in the future is to expand, possibly interstate or at least to other locations throughout WA.
Cellina says she would one day like to organise an Art Jam session for interested members of the Home Based Business Network.
Filed under: Success Business Story, Woman Enrepreneur | Tagged: Art Business, Business Success Story, Small Business Success Story, Success, Success Business Story, Success Story, Woman, Woman Entrepreneuer
