Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Wilson.
Amy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
While working on my PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and teaching at a local university, I went to a party at a local canvas painting place for my friend’s birthday. I was at the event with a bunch of my fabulous friends who were all so different (doctors, lawyers, educators, moms, and other bad asses) yet the instructors were insistent on painting the same and it stressed out my girls if their canvas didn’t look the same as others. It struck me that night that grown-ups lost their creativity and were frightened of the freedom to not be the best. I felt like the experience was safe and fine, but not creative and fun. Everyone knows they won’t hang the picture of the wine bottle they painted in their living room, so why did they care if it was not perfect or the same. Being the same is okay, but that night it taught me that somehow between the ages of five and thirty five, we lost our ability to be happy with the process and simply focus on the product. In some situations, that make sense, but not in this environment. Thus, Zone of Light Studio was envisioned.
As the dream became a reality, we found a little warehouse space on Zonolite — and decided to name it Zone of Light (Zone of Light on Zonolite— get it?) since that is an art term of the shades of color. My friend, Beth Deery, and I started the business. Our husbands and children helped us get the work accomplished and get open by our deadline, but it was a challenge… thanks DeKalb! I hired a graphic designer (Dean White) that has been an integral part of our studios success and stability.
I have since bought Beth out and she still works some classes and summer programs (since she is a FULL time art teacher and running a business is time consuming- and she liked her children :))
In the past year and a half we have moved to a 9,200 square foot renovated warehouse.
We have a black light room, art rooms, a cool outdoor area, a loading dock area and 4,200 ft. of open warehouse space. We have grown to offer: after school art programs at schools, evening out events for children, No school days for students, summer art programs, birthday parties, corporate events, and even private events (bar and bat mitzvahs, birthday parties for adults, or event space after memorials). It is always different, it is always weird, and it always makes me happy!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a business is never ALWAYS smooth. If anyone tells you that, they are lying to you!!!!
From navigating the process of renovation of spaces, to linking finances to the bank, making websites, remembering specific forms, hiring the right staff, and coming up with good projects and lessons, there is always a bump in the road. The trick is learning how to swerve around the bump!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Zone of Light Studio – what should we know?
We specialize in originality. While we have the standard options for events, we also thrive on doing themes that fit the participants better. We have done:
drag parties
boob parties (yes- a private party where we painted ta-tas and turned them into art)
a recycling platypus birthday party
Bat Mitzvah
Band night
Black Light parties
Family reunion
Halloween parties for grown-ups
Rave
Team building projects
and more- chances are- if it is different- we can do it
Team building events
Holiday parties
School events
Auctions
Fundraisers
Carnivals
Boy Scout and Girl Scout events/badges/training
Yoga days
and so much more at the studio!
Please note, throughout the school year, we also go to several schools in the area and teach after school art classes at the local school!
I am proud of our diversity and ability to embrace it in all we do. In fact, we don’t just embrace it, we encourage it. Who wants to be the same, when you can be different?
What sets Zone of Light Studio from other studios is our ability to fit so many needs and we like a challenge. Try to stump us with a theme… I dare you!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I have a specific definition of success- It is happiness and ability to pay the bills.
Anything else that happens is just icing on the cake! If I define success simply as financial gain, I haven’t really hit that mark… but if you come around the studio and see us in action, you will see how successful we are in the comfort and atmosphere of our studio!
Contact Info:
- Address: 1202 Zonolite Road
Atlanta, GA. 30306 - Website: zoneoflightstudio.com
- Phone: 678-948-8059
- Email: zoneaww@gmail.com
- Instagram: zoneoflightstudio
- Facebook: Zone of Light Studio
Image Credit:
kpk and co
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