I’ve received many emails this year about how to open an art studio for kids. Though I appreciate the good intention behind these emails, they often cause me pause. I mean, how can I speak to 20 years of hard work, failure, success, following my intuition, going into debt, finding a life partner, having kids, pounding the pavement and finally speaking my truth, in an email?
I moved to California 21 years ago this summer. I knew I wanted to work with kids but I didn’t know how. I’m a natural when it comes to kids. I think I get it from my dad. He was a teacher before he went into finance. Kids love him. My friends loved him growing up. Maybe I watched him. I’m not really sure. I just know that if there’s a kid around between the ages of about 2 and 10, it’s a pretty safe bet we are going to hit it off. It’s always been like that.
I’ve also always loved art. From a young age I could draw and had pretty good ability with my hands to make things. I hung out with other artsy friends and we were always picked to do arty things in school. I found my confidence in art. And probably my escape from things that were stressful growing up.
One thing I payed close attention to growing up, was this big word I heard a lot. “Entrepreneur.” My grandpa, Harry Goldstein, was an entrepreneur, and I could tell from the way my mom talked about him, what he did was something of value. My grandpa was the first person to bring the surf and skater culture from the west coast to the east coast where we grew up. This was a great source of pride in my family. It was something I understood intrinsically. Do things people haven’t done before. That’s cool.
So though I am a teacher and an artist, above all else, I am an entrepreneur. I crave the world of possibilities. I yearn for it. And though I have spent years teaching art to children, it is the possibility of what I can create, discover, bring to fruition, that drives me. I think it’s taken me 43 years to figure that out, but now that I know, I know.
I’ve had several businesses in my life, from painted shells at the beach club at 4, to jewelry made from fishing equipment and erasers at 10 with my number one cuz Erica Reitman, to drawing characters on clothing at 15, to a children’s t-shirt company designed by kids for kids, that I sold only 5 or so years ago. From that very real, yet fragile last business, I learned I’ll never go into credit card debt over a business ever again. It was one of the most stressful periods of my life and one I don’t wish to repeat. But, that business, which was in talks to be in every kids Gap in the country before the the recession hit, taught me many things. Among them, photoshop, quickbooks, how to to sell, how to put myself out there and the power of loneliness.
When I met my husband Evan in 2005 I learned what it meant to have a partner, a real partner, that has your back in every sense of the word. I couldn’t do half the things I do without Ev’s support. He is my everything and I know that with all my heart. He helped me go back to teaching, get out of debt and and receive a steady paycheck again. What a relief it was to NOT be my own boss.
A year or so later came my girls. They taught me how much I loved doing art with kids again and how good I was at it. They got me back in my game and filled me with a passion to blog about creativity and how passionate I was about it. My girls were my guinea pigs for what worked and what didn’t and my models for all the endless photo shoots. Oh, the photo shoots. “Girls just wait, one more pic, can you just please stretch the slime one more time!” Man, I have asked a lot of them over the years and I am grateful for every post they helped me create.
When I left my teaching job for the third time in almost 15 years I didn’t know what I would do. I just had to leave and thankfully I had Ev’s support. He believed in me and all that I was capable of. So I left my job and got a new one as an atelierista at my girl’s preschool. And I just crushed it. It was so much fun. I poured my heart into that studio and I loved every second of it.
Then the phone started ringing. “Can you teach an after school art class to a bunch of girls at my house?” One after another, the calls came in. Before I knew it there weren’t enough days in the week to teach all the classes. I had to hire another teacher just to keep up with the demand. It was an almost startling surprise. I kept saying to Ev “I think this might be something. This feels like a real thing. Should I open an art studio? I think I’m ready.”
Ev would always say to wait. “Wait until you can’t do another thing with what you’re doing already. Wait until you can’t fit another person in the garage for a pop up class or add another class at someone’s home. Then you’ll be ready.” I waited two years. And one day, I was ready. Ev peaked his head into the garage and felt the energy and saw all the people and he said “You did it baby. You’re ready.” We signed a lease on the studio two weeks later.
So when I get these amazing emails, from women I admire and respect, trying to make a life worth living, asking how can they too open an art studio for kids, maybe I’ll refer them to this post. My 43 years of living. It won’t be the same journey as mine, but if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, listening to your heart, pounding the pavement, making mistakes and letting people help you and love you, one day, you’ll be ready too.
Happy New Year! Thank you for the chance to share my journey with you. xo, Meri Cherry
What an amazing and inspiring story! Congrats on your journey and success! Happy New Year! 🎉🎈🎊
So nice to see your name here. Thank you for helping me along the way. Happy New Year!! ps I discovered St. John’s Wort and it is a game changer! Woo hoo!!!!
Yesssssss! Thank you for sharing your heart. I have gotten a few asks too and I never know what to say. I grew up one of nine kids…creativity was in our genes and I lots of opportunities to create. I went to college and got an education degree because I wanted to work with kids. But then I started having my babies and wanted to be home with them. After blogging for about 9 years….hosting workshops in my house and on my patio for 4 years….the studio was born. It’s a lot of hard work, but I wouldn’t change it for anything!! You inspire me daily. Thank you for the joy and color you share with the world!
Wow, we have such a similar story. Wishing you all the best. Hope we get to meet someday. Happy New year and thanks for the love. Meri
I’m in love with finding your shop and now story! I totally love your name!! Yeah to embrace it! 💕 I wish you continued success and joy in your shop and all your endeavors!
Oh to be young and energetic! 🥰
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are a daily inspiration for me, especially when days of teaching can be hard. I had often times thought about contacting you about this, but knew the depth of the question so I always held back. Thank you again for sharing!
Thank you for listening! I know those hard days, especially when you want it to be something else. Hang in there. Lots of love from California and happy new year!
Hello!
What a sweet post! I follow you on Instagram and reading your post made me tear up, notably the part about the moment that you really were truly READY and the waiting leading up to it.
Thanks for sharing!
Cassandra
Thanks so much for reading along Cassandra. I appreciate and feel the love. Happy New Year!
This was so lovely to read thank you for sharing!!
This is a beautiful story, Meri, and I can feel your whole hear poured into it. Reading the part where you finally knew you were ready gave me chills.
Congrats on everything!
Thanks so much Megan. It’s been a great journey with lots of memorable moments and that is definitely one of them. Thanks for being part of my tribe xoxo
Thank you so much for sharing your evolution to where you are today. So inspiring and thoughtful. You always remind me to pause and create with my kids. Too many times I feel things need to be neat and tidy and I avoid play that could get messy and out of control = me cleaning up:) Have an amazing year and I look forward to your creative posts with your adorable girls. Cheers!
Thanks so much Nicole. I know a lot of moms who feel that way. You are not alone. Happy New Year and thanks for reading along!
We have really similar stories Meri, I love it.
Thanks Iraima. Excited to get to know each other better xo
You answered that perfectly! Your story is amazing and I am so happy you are able to do what you truly love. See ladies we can do it all.
I have the pleasure of taking two amazing little girls to your toddler art classes. Hands down your studio is their favorite place to go! You do a great job of blending critical thinking, messiness, sharing, and the love of art. It’s an amazing experience for them as well as the adult who gets to watch their little brains work.
This makes me so happy. Thank you for sharing your kind words and thank you for being a special part of our community.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. You are inspiring!!!
Thank you so much for reading along. All the best!
Oh Meri,
I love, love, Loved reading this.
What you bring to the world is so unique, fresh and alive.
I truly am grateful that you exist in the world, to inspire, create and imagine new possibilities for kids, teachers + beyond.
Big Love for all you do!
My goodness. I think I’m blushing. Thank you so much. Much love your way!!!
I just wanted to say hello. I’m an American living in Perth Australia (13 years now). An amazing husband, 2 girls, and trying to create an art studio. I created the perfect space in our investment property but I’ve spent the last year raising debt and stress around here.
So hubby is creating a “space” for me in the back garden to keep going, just smaller, and free.
I haven’t given up, just down sizing. Anyway I follow you and find you an inspiration.
Thank you for sharing so much.
Brett (a momma with a daddy’s name)
Hi Brett! Downsizing and living without stress sounds like a fantastic idea. You can breathe and put all that new fresh brain space into your amazing backyard program. All the best to you!
I’ve read this post several times in the past couple of weeks. It’s so inspiring, Meri. I’m in a real transitional phase with my daughter getting to school age and I’m trying to work out what my heart wants. This is calling me back to art and kids and enjoying the process. Thank you
Sending love and light as you explore the next chapter in your life. All the best. Meri
I was one of those women, I believe. I reached out in search of resources, but I think the underlying truth to my question was really, “Can I do this?” We are all looking for validation. Sometimes it helps to check with people who have already met their goals to see the path that got them there. But the truth is, no path is alike. And the only true validation can come from yourself! You are lucky to have such a supportive husband. My husband recently did the proverbial garage door move and it felt awesome. I have gotten a lot of nudges from people over the years, but your post has made me remember that until I truly believe I can do it, it just won’t happen. I am knocking on that door and moving in that direction. I have to admit, as good as it feels, it is scary! That’s part of it though. Thanks for your post and for your reply to my email. Best.
Thanks for sharing that journey! You are such an inspiration!
I’m glad you saw this Courney. Thank you so much and sending you much love on your journey.
This post made me cry! I loved reading about your journey. It really is all about just taking the first step and putting one foot in front of the other. I’ve been scrambling to find my path for so long, but of course the answer was staring me right in the face- just do what you love!! Art makes me so happy & when I’m sharing that with people, there’s no divide at all. Your website is an inspiration and just seeing what you’ve created makes the world make sense to me! Thank you Meri 🙌
One foot in front of the other and do what you love. Words to live by xoxo
When i saw this post my heart jumped for joy! I find your story empowering and inspiring – thank you for sharing and not withholding it!
My pleasure Tara. Thank you so much!!
Oh my! I started an in home childcare center, Reggio centered, and have loved it, although I know it is not my forever. I have looked into opening a larger center but my gut has told me each time it is not what I am meant to do. Recently, with all the art we do, I have thought, “I need an art studio, so I can watch kids just go wild” I have been googling and reading about how to do this, do people do this, is this a thing people would take their kids to?? Then I found you, may I need to start small…in my garage! I am no artist, I just want a space where kids and do art the way they want and need to. Make a mess and it be, okay. Thank you!
Wishing you all the best on your journey : )
Meri, I just discovered you after hearing you on Jadah’s show. Actually listened while painting cabinets for our brand new studio opening in a week and a half! Your website, class offerings and blogposts are sooo inspiring. I would like to be you when I grow up! (Although technically I’m older 🙂 As I start on this journey of owning my own studio, I am looking to you as an example of what we’d like to become. Thank you!