Claim to frame | A conversation with Norman Milliard, owner of Artistic Endeavors LLC in Bethel
Photo/Courtesy Artistic Endeavors
Norman Milliard
Artistic Endeavors LLC
312 Mayville Road, Bethel
Founded: November 2009
Employees: 0
Startup costs: $18,500
Projected revenue, year one: $75,000 plus
Projected revenue, year two: Upwards of $125,000
Contact: 824-3273
www.artisticendeavors-llc.com
What is Artistic Endeavors?
My business is a frame shop and art gallery, focusing primarily on custom picture framing. We do wood frames, metal frames, as well as plain or decorative. Eventually we will add a line of ready-made frames and a line of do-it-yourself kits. We sell conservation glass as well as standard glass, utilizing industry standard products to ensure that your art will last as long as possible. Our art gallery is composed of work from local Bethel artists. We rotate the art periodically on a moveable wall configuration. I guess my business is unique in that these configurations are the only in the area. We are a very small but dedicated company that aims to provide 100% customer satisfaction.
We aim for a broad customer base. It’s a market that people need. The best way to preserve any piece of artwork is to frame it. Children’s artwork is a prime example. All works of art are valuable and throughout the process, framing can be as artistic as you want it to be.
Why did you start the company?
I have been framing as a hobby for five years. I used to take things to get framed, and in doing so, I questioned the costs. I began researching cost-effective ways to frame items and eventually realized it was something that I could do. I retired from the U.S. Postal Service and decided to pursue my passion, which is to do art in any kind of medium. With my business I am able to combine art with framing materials for either the home or office. The company itself will eventually provide a beveled mirror service, where the customer can select the size and the molding.
Your website mentions computer technology you use in framing.
Yes, we intend to use FrameVue visualization software that allows customers to visually experience the completed framing order before they leave the store. It takes various components of a framing order — the moulding, mats, glazing, fillets mounting and assembly — and creates a virtual image of the completed order. We’re already using other kinds of computer software, but we hope to have FrameVue soon.
How do you market your business?
I have my website, which is in its infancy, but currently I advertise in the Bethel Citizen. As business grows, we will do some more local marketing, but for now I am primarily focusing on designing the website to better serve our clients’ needs. Pricing is geared by the framing industry, so there are not set costs. It depends on the degree of labor and the components that go into it.
How do you finance your business?
I finance the business through personal financing and negotiations with a bank.
What has been the biggest challenge running this business?
Getting it off the ground and anticipating the little details. There is a lot that goes into opening a business — we are still so new, so it’s all really a challenge.
What has been successful about your business strategy?
It has been a slow-going process, but it has given us time to carefully plan out the services we provide and plan for our pitfalls. We are very proud of the works of art we present in our gallery — we have watercolors, oil paintings, acrylic paintings, pastels, gouache, which is a type of water paint, pencil art, pottery, gourd structures, photography, fiber art and even furniture art made with cloth weaving and various designs. We are hoping to bring quilters to the area.
What are your goals for the future of this business?
My main concern right now is financial success. We are looking for 5%-10% growth in revenue by next year. We also want to be able to create an artistic destination site in the Bethel area. Since the area has a great deal of seasonal visitors, we want to expand the concept that Bethel is artistic and aim for the gallery to be open year-round.
Interview by Kayla Collins
New Ventures profiles young businesses, 6-18 months old. Send your suggestions and contact information to editorial@mainebiz.biz.
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