We are so excited to bring Katie Ross on our podcast! In this vibrant and heartfelt episode, Katie Ross, founder of The Arts Creative in Bloomington, shares her journey from art teacher to entrepreneur. A mother of four and passionate artist, Katie talks about building a community-centered studio that offers inclusive, hands-on art experiences for all ages.
She discusses how art has served as therapy, connection, and empowerment for her students — from kids to corporate teams. Katie reflects on launching the Bloomington Street Art Festival, collaborating with local businesses, repurposing donated materials, and leveraging Elevate Hennepin resources to grow sustainably.
She also opens up about leadership, navigating business with heart, the value of intergenerational connections, and her unique blend of creativity and hustle. Her energy, adaptability, and community impact highlight the power of following your passion while staying rooted in purpose.
Resources:
The Arts Creative
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
Transcript
John S. 0:06
Welcome to Simon Says, inspire a podcast about life, leadership and building legacies. I'm John Simon, SR
Dina Simon 0:14
and I'm Dina Simon.
John S. 0:16
Our guest today is Katie Ross. Katie is the founder of The Arts Creative, a welcoming studio that offers inclusive, hands on art experiences for all ages, from stained glass and ceramics to painting, sculpture and textile art. Katie, welcome to our podcast.
Katie 0:35
Thank you so much for having me.
John S. 0:37
Wow, it's great to meet you. Why don't you take a minute or two, Katie and maybe tell our listening audience a little bit about yourself, where you live, and maybe what you like to do in your spare time.
Katie 0:48
I'm in Bloomington, actually, on the west side, so really close to Eden Prairie, and my house and the studio are really close, so one of my four daughters usually is coming up to visit me or get some ice cream down at the ice cream shop next to me. I have four girls. I have a graduating senior from Jefferson this year. She's going to Rochester, and she's also headed off to Mankato for state for softball, which is pretty exciting. It's a busy week this week. And then 12 year old and a five and a four year old, so two pandemic babies. And during that time, I was actually teaching as an art teacher. So that's my background. And at the Catholic school, we were still in session during pandemic, so I was art on many carts and postpartum and pregnant and everything. It was really great time.
Dina Simon 1:41
Oh my gosh.
Katie 1:43
I like to have a lot to do.
Dina Simon 1:45
Yes, obviously you have a leg a lot to do with four girls just right there. Yes, yeah.
Katie 1:51
So we live right here in Bloomington and I, we bought the house because the backyard is a big backyard facing the South, so I could have all the gardens my heart desires so nice, big gardeners as well. That's what I like to do in my spare time.
John S. 2:05
So as a softball Mom, how much time do you get to spend out on the field watching your daughter play?
Katie 2:12
Well, I get she's we have, we're kind of as low entry as possible, which, you know, doesn't mean that she gets a ton of playing time against her teammates. But if you've never been around softball, the bench is half of the fun. Anyways, when they've been in sections, I've gotten to every game and they've won every game. So now I'm required, well, except for the game I didn't go to they lost. So now they're like, Well, now you have to come to every game, so
Dina Simon 2:37
Because you're their good luck charm.
Katie 2:40
Yeah, so now we're gonna they came into my studio as a team to do a little team building project one day at a rain out. And so instead of practice, coach is like, we're all going to The Arts Creative. And I have a fun relationship with their with their coach as well. So we came over and made some clay stuff, and I fired that for them. And if you know, clay kind of has two types of process, so now it's got to be colored yet. So I'm going to send all their clay gear with them tonight for the tournament, and this and the paint pens, and so they could have a little another team bonding to get their luck to learn.
Dina Simon 3:17
I love that. Oh my gosh. And what a great case study for the business that you're building. I love that.
Katie 3:22
This gentleman, his name is Jim Hansen. He owns clutch hitters here in Bloomington, and last year we were doing a team building project, and he was talking, he goes, you know, Bloomington has never had an art festival before. We should throw an art festival. And I'm like, sounds like a great idea. And so that's how we started the Bloomington Street Art Festival last year. We did that on the hottest weekend ever in July last year. And luckily, this year, we're gonna partner with nine mile brewing. Nice boat's gonna be September 20, out at nine mile brewing, and that kind of it starts off the Oktoberfest too. So we're gonna sneak in right on their festival, which has been awesome for me, because I don't have to have any permits or any any kind of money at all, like I had two last year. We had to figure out a whole entire, you know, everything from bifis to garbage cans. So Right?
Dina Simon 3:22
Oh my gosh. Well, I have it on my calendar, but John, that is Katie in a nutshell. So from an entrepreneurial spirit, when somebody says, Hey, we should do something, she's like, okay, let's step in. And how are we going to go do that, right? Katie?
Katie 3:37
I love it. I love to.
Speaker 1 4:32
Dina mentions that your husband's an entrepreneur also,
Katie 4:36
Yeah, my husband is a photographer, videographer, and he worked at The Nerdery for a very long time. That's now in Edina, and then he just kind of is off on his own right now, doing corporate headshots. And I still think he does some video for me as well. So on my YouTube page, I've got a couple of his videos, and no matter how we are as friends or otherwise, like, I'm always the biggest fan of his work, because he's just such a great storyteller and has such a great eye. So I love his work all the time.
Dina Simon 5:08
Okay, so I want to talk a little bit before we talk about your studio and everything, so let's talk for a second. So the four girls and where you lived talked about that and teaching. So talk to us a little bit about your teaching career, and then how you decided to go off on your own.
Katie 5:23
When I was in high school, well, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. When I tried to explain math to people, I realized math teacher was not going to be it, because it's really hard to explain people who don't get it. And I was like, it's right there. So I fell in love with art in high school, I took ceramics class over and over again, and then I tried a bunch of different careers. I landed back up into teaching. And so I started teaching about 12 or 13 years ago at Totino Grace High School. And if you ask me, What do you want to be when you grow up, it was going to be a high school ceramic art teacher, and that's what I was for my very first teaching job. I taught ceramics and stained glass. It was a really amazing experience. I made a lot of great connections with the kids that year. They unfortunately lost one of their seniors to brain cancer, and they kind of knew that was coming. So it's a big, huge deal. And I remember one of the kids who was really close to m e sent me a Facebook message. So he sends me, he's like, traveling all over the world, and he's like, you know, that was so important to come to your class on all those crappy days, because it was just like therapy coming in. You just always had a good you know, even though whatever was going on outside of our classroom, we could come there, and it just felt so good. So I kind of always knew there's this power of art. And just like being together, lowering that pressure, taking off, like, you know, breaking stuff down to, you know, the elements and principles of art, just line, shape, you know, design, but making it a little bit approachable, I think, has always been the key, so then people can feel a little bit comfortable, and then they can get a lot out of it, in a way where it's almost like art therapy. So I'm teaching for a while, and like every art teacher, I'm looking for a full time job because, like, I have to come in as a part time. It's been a tough road. So many schools when the universe said, you know, maybe not the schools, maybe not. I tried my best. I ended up at Wayzata High School doing a long term sub. I think I was in the principal's office every week for four weeks. I'm like this. I just don't fit, you know, I'll do my job. I'm gonna do my best, but I gotta go and do something else. And I got a lot of advice to do, stick with the kids. Katie, you're so good with the kids, you're so good. And I realized they're available in the summer, but then September hit, and I was like, Well, where are they? And they're too busy. They're at school, at sports and extracurriculars that are not art. So I noticed that there's a whole nother group of people who've been without art and expression for probably since fifth grade or sixth as a big part of my business has grown with the adults, and then especially with like the 22 to 35 range, where they are still really tapped into, like they're self aware and they have chosen different lifestyles, as far as, like, having two partners and no kids, maybe not even a home. So yeah, a little bit more disposable income, and they're looking for experiences, and they're not necessarily always trying to get like. I think we're hopefully maybe moving away a little bit from like the I need to have every single Yeti, and maybe I can just like, you know, have one or two, yeah, yeah, and bring them along to my experience. Exactly, exactly.
Dina Simon 8:51
So I think we've talked very briefly about this, but um, you know, I'm an alum of Totino Grace High School.
Katie 8:58
Oh, that's right. Oh my gosh, their show choir
Dina Simon 9:02
was always amazing. Amazing.
Katie 9:05
Terry Voss was the guy there then, I don't know if he was still around, but man, that was such a good I forgot about that.
John S. 9:12
So Katie, my takeaway from some of that discussion is, you know, you'd go to the administration, and then you wouldn't, you wouldn't hear what you really wanted to hear. The thing that this, they should have went to the kids and asked the kids, there's where you get the greatest feedback, right there? Yeah, yeah.
Dina Simon 9:29
Well, and so often art and music and those are the things that you know for even from a funding perspective, could potentially get cut and all of that. So, yes. So so then your journey to say, I'm not gonna be able to fit in this mold, and I should go out and do my own thing. So how did that all happen?
Katie 9:48
Well, I'm one of nine kids, and we come from a lot of entrepreneur family, although I'm a little bit the oddball out. You wouldn't guess it. But finally, the family was like, hey, you've always wanted do this. One of the family members is really good at setting up the LLC. I wish I would have checked it's still my responsibility to have checked everything, and I wish I would have known a little more ahead of time, like everyone would, but they just basically pushed me out of the nest and said, it's time. You know, you've been crying about this and thinking about this and saying about this. All your life, I've always wanted to create something. My idea was considered something called Hot art, where HOT stands for higher order thinking, which is a educational philosopher Blooms taxonomy that says creating is your highest level of thinking, because you have to use all those other types of like acknowledgement, understanding and, you know, practice before you can create new with that. So I got X on my name, which makes sense. There's a lot of reasons why I think it'd be better for like, our nonprofit, you and I have talked about because I can explain it a little better. But as a storefront, it was like, You got to get a name that, like everybody knows exactly what it is going on in there, which made sense. And then I just was, you know, we kind of like punched a couple quick numbers because I'm good, I'm keeping my bills straight, so I'm like, Okay, could I do this? I guess maybe, yeah. So then we just kind of signed the lease and tried to ask some questions about that awesome lease, and then signed a quick three years to see if I could do it. So I'm two years in with another year to go. And, you know, the economy is moving around, so I'm pivoting a little bit.
Dina Simon 11:34
Yeah, share with Share Like, so community facing. How do people get engaged with The Arts Creative.
Katie 11:39
Of course, I have a website, which is, you know, really fun as an entrepreneur, to learn how to do a website and learn how to fight other people making websites and all that stuff and what fits. But my website is pretty good, and everything on there, like my phone number emails, all goes to me. So if there are any questions about, How do I sign up for this? It's a pretty easy booking system, though, even, like, if you had a summer camp, or maybe you took, like, a whole week, or like a 10 week, course, if I had, I'm gonna do a book club in September, you couldn't pay for the whole thing. Like, they have options to do payments, payment plans, which is nice for those summer camp parents, I have really liked doing the birthday parties here. That's been I feel like I'm back in the classroom with the kids again, because they all know each other. They hear my teacher voice, and it just kind of all works together, and we just have a really good time. So I love my private parties. And I have a teacher friend who does her parties here. So her 30 somethings all come, and she caters a little food and drink, and we just have fun doing a really Valentine's Day event. So she invited all her friends. We made Valentine stuff. And then, just recently, I'm going to do my second corporate gig. And so I had this idea of art being, you know, an easy expression, icebreaker, something for some team building. And I also noticed there's so much pride when I did these cute little projects that I'm practicing for my kindergarten. And I'm like, wow, I'm really good at that. Van Gogh, Iris, it's just so beautiful. And I'm like, you know, let's try this as adults. So I have done it with multiple parties here with adults. And I'm like, I wonder if I can do this with some corporate people. So I my brother worked at Donaldson engineering, and he's like, hey, I want to do this corporate outing. I thought. I'm like, yes, okay, brother, let's do this. So we had the Donaldson engineers at nine mile brewing with a friend of mine, Tao fam cooking some some bites for us. And they had such a blast. It was like a second grade classroom in there. They, of course, over engineered and like created themselves with each flower. And it was just it was so cool. And then one guy goes, I haven't used this side of my brain in so long, and I was like, you win. You win. Like, that's exactly why we're doing this. Well, that was, like, the sneak attack. You know, we're doing a mean bonding, and it's an Audi and appreciation. But the real trick, and where I think magic is, and where the value I can bring to these companies is, like, it actually, there's so much more that art does you know? So our next one we're going to do is polar semiconductor. And the project we're doing there is a steel it's called the Community Circle project. So it looks like a target with concentric circles, and it's, you give them props, like, What's your favorite food? Draw in emojis on the outside, something easy, a donut. You know? What's here? So that's all like, oh, you know, remember when you learn who you are in school or whatever. So this is for the interns, and they're all going to meet each other. The next one, you can say something like, what do you have to get out of your experience here? Like, you can really prompt them these, and then you can keep them up and hang them up and stuff. And it's like all these talking. Paul. It's a really good one. So we're going to do that in about a week or so at polar semiconductor. And I met Becca through the business connections that Bloomington puts on. And different they all set different spots, and it's just a bunch of people businesses and coming together.
Dina Simon 15:18
I love the business aspect, because so like the team building, but just what you said, you have a bunch of engineers that were like, Oh my gosh, I haven't used the side of my brain. So there's just so much benefit also for them to get out of the box, get out of the office, and go do something different, just to stretch their brains differently. And then the exercise with the group of interns, what a great way to get to know who they are coming in to, you know, to a new company. I love that.
Katie 15:44
You also get a little peek, I think, like the opportunity to be like, Okay, I know this about my employer intern now I know a little bit more of their skill set and where I can, like, you know, stretch,
Dina Simon 15:57
Leverage them, yeah.
Katie 15:59
Which I think is cool. So nice. We're gonna do another video of that with my husband, so that I can kind of start packaging that up. I love it because I'm learning. And then another big pivot that I did, you know, during the winter, where it's like, kind of down, has been going out to different breweries. There's a gentleman from Bloomington that does like pain sips Minnesota. And so I went on his website and looked at all the locations he does his stuff. And I was like, Hey, do you want to do stained glass instead of painting? They're like, yeah. So they added me to almost all those schedules. And now building those relationships out and kind of like, you know, now I'm going to kind of broaden what I offer that as well. So stained glass and jewelry, and I think we're gonna do watercolors, because that's kind of something different.
John S. 16:48
I was interested in the resourcefulness that you talked about, breathing new life into donated art supplies who would end up in landfills, and you're getting a chance to use them with your students.
Katie 17:02
So I grew up as a girl scout, and one of their laws, or whatever, is to use resources wisely, and which just means, like, you know, thinking about something before you just toss it away. And then I've must have some sort of bad signal, because people now just keep bringing me their stuff as, like, I know you can probably use this. I don't want to throw it away, and some of the stuff is brand new. So, like, yes, there's some things that are like, you know, my I think one of my favorite ones was my Mom's best friend's husband. It's always somebody's best friend's husband, right? Yes, he worked to at the shop where they made water skis. And so it's a pretty wide piece of wood and a very quality piece of wood. And the inserts where they would subtract for the foot rubber boots, yeah, they just had all these little these little spot, these little squares, these little rectangles. And so he cornered them off and made them all whatever, and he stacked them up for me, and they look like little like thick, nice chalkboards kind of and so I've been carrying them around for a couple different years, since this man has since passed away, rip Raymond. And I'm like, still carrying these things around, until I finally, like, oh my gosh, I see this project where you can nail a bunch of nails and then do the string art with it. Yeah, and they were perfect. They're already a nice, beautiful frame, the black background piece of wood. It was like, we did it for a birthday party one one time, and just got a bunch of girls hammering the way in here. And it was like, it was perfect, and those things. So I think about also, you guys might, may have had kids watch the Toy Story movies, you know, yeah, where it's like, those toys aren't really they feel like they're not as loved unless they're played with or seen. And so, like, when people give me their recycled paper or they're these pieces of wood, it's like, I'll bet those things never thought they're going to be such cool piece of work, you know.
Dina Simon 19:01
Exactly. Oh my gosh, I have, I when we're done, I'll show you. I have some of that artwork in my office that made the difference.
Katie 19:09
It's so cool. And it's like that, even that string, you know, how many people get rid of that embroidery floss, and it's all tangled up, and it's like if you sit down and untangle it. First of all, there's always a kid in my classroom wants to untangle or organize some stuff, and I'm always like, Oh, it's not really, you know, that great of a thing for them to do, but it's actually such a cool thing for them to do because they love the focus, or they love the little like, you know, problem solving of untangling something, and then all of a sudden, if it looks like it's more valuable, People are going to treat it more valuable, right? And that's a lesson my mom and dad always taught me, like they'd paint something to make it look look nicer, so that it looks like it's more valuable. You'll treat it better.
Dina Simon 19:51
So Katie, one of the things I wanted you to talk about as an entrepreneur, so you've done a beautiful job in tapping into resources, because that's how I how. How I got to meet you is through some of the Elevate Hennepin programming. And so talk to us, just because I think it's super interesting. When you set things up you have a fiscal sponsor, can you just kind of walk through your business setup and share kind of how you set it up?
Katie 20:16
Yeah, when I, like one of my first people off, LV Hennepin, I think was Katherine Pyle, and I was doing some quick books that I moved with a lady at A and M associates, Ana mazig, and she actually helped me write a employee handbook. Yeah, I kind of just need to know, what the heck am I doing here, you know? So she, like, made a personalized handbook for me, which really was helpful, especially because I was violating my own situations many times, so
Dina Simon 20:46
most so. So I love Anna. We work closely together, but that's been a huge eye opening for most of the businesses that I'm working with in Hennepin County, any place it's not just Hennepin County, most businesses like you you get into business because you have a passion and expertise and opening up and having employees and knowing what to do and all the HR rules and regulations and how to complete an di like that is not your wheelhouse, nor should it be. Your wheelhouse is art where, like, my wheelhouse is HR. So, yeah, so keep going, so you're not alone there.
Katie 21:21
Well, it's like, you know, I recognize with the first I thought, I only get 25 hours total with all of it. Hennepin, so I'm like, Catherine Powell, I gotta go. I only have one hour with you. You know, it's not I gotta save my hours. And then I learned, oh no, I get 25 hours per advisor. So then I was like, Okay, I recognize every time a problem will come up in business that I need to solve. Like I had a gal reach out to me from Canada that has the arts creative as her business, and it.ca's not.com and so she's like, You need to change your name. And I'm like, a brand new business. I'm like, Oh my gosh, I don't know what to do. So I call the law attorney on there on the Elevate Hennepin, and they're like, write a quick letter to her and say, Actually, she's fine. You're Yeah, she's in us. Everybody's happy. Never heard from her again. Totally fixed my problems. I've also done, not just like with the mentors on there, but I've also done some of their workshops, like a tech essentials workshop, and I've got some grants from that kind of stuff. But the I've noticed, like, one of the guys with a tech essential workshop, his name is John B Yang, and he was telling us about all this AI stuff, a brother of mine had reached out. He's like, Dude, I could build you an AI, you know, assistant. And I was like, Okay, great. Crickets. And then I was like, You know what? That's what John does. So I'm like, I'm gonna reach out to John and see if he wants to build this AI thing for me. So he does, and we're gonna start working on that. And he goes, Hey, I wanna throw an art festival in July in St Paul, in this parking lot. Blah, blah, blah. Would you be willing to help me do it? I'm like, absolutely, you know, yes. So it's my repertoire. Now I'm a festival, you know, programmer, I guess, whatever you want to call it, but it's just fun, because I've noticed in the two quick years with art, obviously, I'm learning a lot about business, and anytime I don't know something, there's resources. There's so many resources to tap into, and they're really, like, willing to help, which is really awesome. It's like,
Dina Simon 23:29
but not everybody knows they're out there, so you've done a great job in finding them.
Katie 23:33
No, it's true. It's tough and like, and I didn't know before. You know, Barb Wolf is my I call her my red tape remover. She's a really huge advocate as a port authority in Bloomington, just helping the small businesses, like, kind of jump over Bloomington has a little bit of reputation to, like, be a little bit tougher to jump through some hoops. So she tends to be a really good, yeah, circus provide. Tell us what to do.
Dina Simon 23:58
Okay, so, so how did you decide to set yourself up the way you
Katie 24:03
did with LLC? You mean, like, as an LLC sole proprietor, yeah, but
Dina Simon 24:07
then, then, like, so how this whole fiscal sponsor piece?
Katie 24:10
Oh, yeah, another person on La Henson was Springboard for the Arts. And I, you know, people had asked me, Do you want to be a non profit, or do you want to be a for profit. And the suggestion was to say a for profit in case of, you know, you want to sell the business all these reasons. And I was like, Okay, sounds good, since I'm already there anyways, I don't want to switch if I don't have to. And then, as I was trying to research money and how to get money, I just thought there was only grants out there, like, and I don't know if I can write grants and focus long enough, so I'm taking this program through the library, talking about art and how artists can make a business and Springboard for the Arts. Says, Yeah, we do a we also offer fiscal sponsorships, meaning that they act as my bank with the 501, C. Three capabilities, and that I can raise any kind of funds for my nonprofit, like Project, which I call hot art. And in that project, I raise money to offset costs for summer camps. And I also am raising funds to support the festival. I can raise, you know, I just set any budget, as long as it's all detailed out, and they approve the budget. And then I set up a give mn website that just collects, you know, donations that are tax free. And then now it's my job to go find sponsors and stuff so that I can fill up that sponsorship. And,
Dina Simon 25:41
yeah, so it's really a beautiful so you you have the best of both worlds, because she's got the LLC for her to do, like the corporate stuff and the the stuff at the breweries. Like, you can do that through your LLC, but then to have this fiscal sponsor that supports you, so you don't have to go be a 501 c3, but you can raise cash and capital because, and I know this personally, some people don't care. They'll give you money regardless. But some people do care that it's a 501 c3, it's money going to children, it's going to summer camps and things of that nature. And there is a there is an interest in that. So I love how you structured that. So whoever, whoever helped you with that, and I think part of it was you just hearing, because, again, in your creative brain, and you also know numbers and so for you to hear from the springboard, Springboard for the Arts, like, hey, there might be an opportunity here. And then, because of your tenacity and who you are, you're gonna push forward for a yes, like, how are we gonna make this happen? It really is a beautiful thing. So I'm super impressed with how you've done that, and the success that you've had in a few short years. And John, as you've heard her ability to flex based on what's happening in this crazy world, like you've you've been able to do that.
John S. 27:02
I'm impressed with hearing and this isn't the first time I've heard about Hennepin County, what they're doing for small businesses, and it sounds like you're taking advantage of all the resources that they've offered you.
Katie 27:14
Yeah, it's been, you know, they've, they had, like, a shark tank contest type of thing called Hatch Bloomington last year and this year that I got to participate in. So I got a lot of free press from that. And I learned a lot too about, like, just other people in this small business. One of the things I told the gentleman, Sean Lundy, or no, no, no, this was through hatch. And it wasn't Sean, but it was, I can't remember his name, but he's like, Hey, I have a lady who wants to assign or try out for Hatch. Bloomington, you were a past person that loves to chat. Would you like to tell her about it? And I was like, Sure. And I go, Hey, by the way, like, it would be nice for all of us to get together again. Like, you know, like, send our little woes of like, entrepreneurship and like, just keep that community growing. Because one thing I noticed with my mentors is like, they know so much, and they want to give you all the knowledge, but then I have a to do list, you know what I mean? And that to do this grows so much where it's like, sometimes I just need, you know, the other person who's like, also going through whatever, or just, it doesn't have to be to solve a problem, but just to be like you're not the only person dealing with that.
Dina Simon 28:26
Yeah, because it's lonely, it's it can be very lonely, right? Yes. And so to have other business owners that you can you can chat with, yes, well, knowing that we were going to talk about life, leadership and building legacy, so you've talked a lot about your life and building legacies is everything that you do when you get out of bed in the morning, leadership. So good leadership like talk to us about what leadership means to you.
Katie 28:49
You know, coming from employee to solopreneur is such a weird situation, because there's no 40 minute or 40 hour clock. There's no boss, even though I still have to deal with, like, landlords and stuff like that. So but nobody, like checks on me to see if I'm doing my things. And so leadership has been, you know, it's gonna have to come up, especially if when I start getting employees. But I've noticed, even just in the making connections at the breweries. And I'm like, Okay, let me get this straight. Your only job is marketing, but I have to, like, do everything and remind you to market me. You know what I mean, but I'm, like, doing everything else, or, like, with the festival. And you know, you're, you're the hurry up and waits, because there's like, 10 people to coordinate to do things. And so I'm learning, you know, that I really do have a skill of, like, just, kind of, just as a teacher person, just like, kind of keeping on or the mom too, just keeping on top of things that management and that I need to lean into a little bit more sometimes. I tend to be like, Oh, maybe I shouldn't, because I'll come off a certain way, or I'll, you know, especially in my background with teaching, whenever I spoke up, it was like, Katie, shut up, you know, just go with the flow more. And I feel like I'm a little bit more of a disrupter. And so like, I think that I just need to remember to listen to my gut more about that. The skills that I have are put there for a reason, like, go talk to the city council tonight, like I was given a big mouth for a reason, and maybe it's happening to me right now for this reason, because I do get frustrated when stuff is just, like, unjust or enough for him, nobody asks, like, Well, why is this normal? Like, why are bad things normal? Why could we change things and stuff? And so I've definitely felt with Bloomington, and I know that Hennepin has been getting Henry constant a lot of really great praise, because they're willing to at least, like, listen, listen, yeah. And, I mean, I'll take that.
Dina Simon 31:01
Yeah, exactly right. Let's have the battle is just having somebody to listen well. So you know, I adore you, and I'm happy to help you in your leadership growth as it happens. But what I also want you to know is you are who you are, and as you just said, you might have been given a big mouth for a reason, right? Like so you're gonna stand up for things and people and things that others might not your energy, enthusiasm and your passion is infectious. So those are things that we would never want you to lose.
Katie 31:33
The infectious part, I've actually one of my close sisters has said that, and I love it when it's a great one, but it's a lot to carry. Sometimes, when you're not feeling great, you're like, especially as an art teacher or a person who's like, I call myself an art tender, because that's like, instead of bartending, like, I'm Art pending, I'm kind of giving people. But you have to provide that experience too, and give out that energy of like, calmness and let them feel like, you know, there's a spot to make mistakes, or that they're safe and stuff. And so I definitely, when I'm on, it's like a lot. I do know that my energy could be contagious in that way. So it's like, Hmm, I have to be purposeful and thoughtful. Probably need to work on a lot more self care to make that that's something that I'm learning this year, that it's not something you can just like, put away for later. You know, I do now a little bit
Dina Simon 32:32
Well with a four to 18 year old, you gotta, alot going on at home too.
Katie 32:37
Yeah. It's fun. It's pretty fun. I'm my biggest brag with the girls, of course, my firstborn is such a great gal, but she when we couldn't deal with the two not falling asleep together because they were sharing a room the two babies, I was like, something's gotta happen. And so I split the babies into the big girls rooms. And so my 18 year old shares a room with her four year old sister, and they love it. It's so funny. I'm like, man, you're so lucky that. Like, sister loves you like that.
Dina Simon 33:08
And when she goes off to college, that's gonna be very hard.
Katie 33:12
Oh, I know. I'm I think I'm more like, people like, are you so sad? Are you so sad? I'm like, I'm pretty concerned about my Maisie having to leave Kay, and you know how bad that's gonna be. Who's gonna have it worse? I don't know. I see, we'll see.
Dina Simon 33:26
Hey, Katie, where are you? You said you're one of nine. Where do you fall? Lucky? Seven.
Katie 33:31
I was the only one born out of state. So I was born in Chicago. Everybody else was born in Minneapolis. So I definitely am, and I look different than all them, too. I'm the odd man out, but it's, you know, it was a it was a good family growing up with. And I think I actually get to call my auntie after this, and she, you know, was cool is she's on my mom's side, and she, if you guys have heard about this generation curse breaking kind of thing where, you know, there's generational just, like, not great stuff, right? And so we gotta, like, stand up and say, Okay, no, right? And so I recognize that this Auntie did that, like one generation before me, and I get to see her kids like, just be like, this thing. And I'm like, it was a huge inspiration for me to say, Okay, let me, you know, put some boundaries out there too, so that my kids can have that ability, instead of having all the stuff that we carry because we just, we always showed each other love by hating each other. And I'm like, Well, you can love somebody just by loving them. That's cool. Let's try that. So we try that a little bit more in our family, at home and but it's cool because, you know, I just, I've been thinking about reaching out to this Auntie for a while, and I'm like, he's a good one.
Dina Simon 34:58
I'm glad you are so you can tell her, yes, absolutely, yes. Well, knowing that you were going to be on the podcast, anything else that you wanted us to hear.
Katie 35:07
I think you know, especially for other people doing stuff like this, that I it's cool to know that there's a community that's supportive, and you just can reach out to that. And I've noticed, even with the arts, like, sometimes you're barking up the wrong tree, and if you turn around and bark to the other tree, there's, like, a whole big bunch of people there, and they really like it, you know. And it's hard to turn around because you're like, but I can probably convince them, and it's like, no, just keep going this way. You know, you don't have to. Not everybody's your customer, right? So, you know, if you're spending that much time convincing, maybe it's not worth it, and maybe they'll get some FOMO, and they'll figure it out, you know, but think that's my, that's my. My biggest takeaway is that I need to continue to focus on, you know, those symbiotic relationships of how, who's, you know, one give and take.
Dina Simon 36:03
Well and John, we've talked about like so Katie, with your creativity and using your brain differently. There's so many applications to this, from children to high school, college, early professionals, seniors, senior citizens that need to keep their brain active. Yeah, yeah. Yeah,
Katie 36:21
I've been thinking of trying to figure out, how do I and I've, I've almost had ins at a couple different, you know, senior living places, some that drive, some that stay. And I think that if I can figure it out to solve this, the best thing would be, is to invite them with my kids, so that the those generations, because there's something that happens, okay, right now, our kids are troubled. Oh my gosh. They're so naughty in school sometimes, and they chat and then this, and then that. And, you know, we just never give them enough boundaries, funny enough. They love boundaries and feel very, very safe with boundaries, which is why all my students actually do love me. But, yeah, I have expectations, but I think when their elders come around, that next generation, like there's still some inherited understanding that, like that generation doesn't play and they just have a different set of expectations and a different energy level. And I think we need more of it so that those kids can have that influence, because show them respect. They will show a little bit of kindness. They'll be patient, because Grandpa doesn't know how to use the phone or whatever you know. And so those skills are huge. And then, if you see a person who maybe has been stuck by themselves for so long because it they aren't with around their family, and how much joy they get from a little life being silly around them. It's just cool. So it's here. It's gonna come someday. Maybe it's more through the nonprofit side versus the for profit, because I think that part's really hard, because you do have to be a little bit I'm not as cutthroat in the business that I need to be in order to make money. So I feel like that's where my opportunity to do the nonprofit, like stuff here, business over there.
Dina Simon 38:13
And, you're one person, so you need other people that could go and help do this. That would be great. So I have a I have a potential solution for you. So here in Eagan, Mandy went to Intergenerational Learning Center, and so it's has a sister relationship with the Commons on Maurice. So they they would interact with they called them the grandparents. So they were like, they kind of share a parking lot and they would spend time together so that something like that, where there's a setup that might work for you,
Katie 38:46
Yeah, that I can just insert the arch like, I like it, awesome.
John S. 38:52
It's funny. You mentioned that because I was watching TV this morning and I had a little bit about a program that's in New York state right now, but the seniors, they go to the schools and, and it's, it's for grandpa's not so much for grandma's, because they, their thought was, oh, grandmas get a lot of attention. Grandpa's don't get much attention. But they, they were teaching the kids checkers and and Jenga and playing games and and the kids were were really communicating with the with the older people, because a lot of you know, a lot of the young kids don't have grandparents either living near them, or have that opportunity to spend quality time, and this program here allows that.
Katie 39:37
Yeah, it's interesting that our society has moved so advanced that we have to, like, put this in purposely, when it used to just be inherited as an extra natural thing. But we're, you know, it took a minute, but I think we're recognizing that there is a huge need for that. There's some crazy, awesome philosopher that says, or, I don't know, scientists that was like, studied, you. Like, Why do women stop procreating at a certain age? Why do we preserve them? And they the science says is we literally preserve them because we need them as grandmas, because they're so important as grandmas and teaching and being in the home and helping all that stuff. And I'm like, it's so true, we need that, I and also the unconditional love the kids need to feel that unconditional love. And one, when people get older, they don't really care if it's their kid anymore. They're just like any little kid, come on, you're so cute or and
Speaker 2 40:32
A lot of times, especially in Italy and some of your European countries, you have multi generational families all living together, where the grandparents take care of the children while the parents are out working, and they have that community with with the whole family.
Katie 40:49
I've seen it coming back around a little bit, and I didn't realize it until the grandparents started becoming my clients, because they were the daycare for the summer. So the parents are still at work, and so the kid, school aged kids, you know, you don't have to wipe their butts anymore. They can pretty much be self sustained, but still, they're with grandparents, and the parents are, the grandparents are more into paying for my art than the parents are, because they understand the value of it, where the parents are like, you know, I could go to the zoo for the same price, and my kid could run around all day. And I'm like, Yeah, I could. You're right, that's totally true. Or, you know, but they're gonna stand in line at the zoo and they're gonna have that experience, the same experience five days in a row, you know, where the other where some grandparents here, they're just like, oh my gosh, they just can't get enough art, and I don't have enough stuff in my house, so I just need a hearing. So great. Gives them another one. Yeah, they're my new they were someone that I wanted to tap into this year because I was like, they also have a little bit of disposable income because their kids are out of house, you know. Yes. So well. Katie, anything else? Oh, always, but not for now. All right, all right, John,
Dina Simon 42:00
John, any other questions?
John S. 42:03
No, I think we covered an awful lot in the last 50 minutes. We did.
Dina Simon 42:07
We did. We did okay. So, Katie, we want to thank you for being on the podcast. You know, I am a I'm a raving fan, and so I'm very excited to see what you continue to do, and I'm going to be here to continue to support you. And we need to probably focus in on a couple of these revenue streams and how, how we get you out there and continue the conversation from clients that you gain and fundraising streams that you do, but just so excited about your passion and energy, and as we've talked about, it's so needed, regardless of your age, like this creativity and getting people to think, and you've talked about art, you know, art therapy, like there's just so much, so much passion around it. And we just thank you for what you're doing in the community.
Unknown Speaker 42:52
Thanks. Thanks for cheeringleading, Dina, we need the cheer.
John S. 42:56
I know one thing after hearing you, I need to visit this nine mile brew route next time I'm up there,
Katie 43:01
Yeah, yeah, it's a great spot. And they just got their food license open, and September 20, I hear there's going to be a great festival there.
Dina Simon 43:09
Yes, I have it on my calendar, and then we'll, we'll chat, because we should talk about how we can do some happy hours and stuff with some corporate people.
Katie 43:19
Yeah, awesome. All right. Well, thank you guys so much for having me.
Dina Simon 43:23
I would like to thank Katie Ross, the Founder of The Arts Creative located in Bloomington, for being a part of our podcast. As you can hear, her passion for the arts is infectious, and we'll make sure you know how to follow her, get involved and support her cause. As always, I'd like to thank my father in law, John Simon, for being my co host, and the podcast is a proud member of C suite radio, and until we talk again.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Welcome to Simon Says, inspire a podcast about life, leadership and building legacies. I'm John Simon, SR
Dina Simon 0:14
and I'm Dina Simon.
John S. 0:16
Our guest today is Katie Ross. Katie is the founder of The Arts Creative, a welcoming studio that offers inclusive, hands on art experiences for all ages, from stained glass and ceramics to painting, sculpture and textile art. Katie, welcome to our podcast.
Katie 0:35
Thank you so much for having me.
John S. 0:37
Wow, it's great to meet you. Why don't you take a minute or two, Katie and maybe tell our listening audience a little bit about yourself, where you live, and maybe what you like to do in your spare time.
Katie 0:48
I'm in Bloomington, actually, on the west side, so really close to Eden Prairie, and my house and the studio are really close, so one of my four daughters usually is coming up to visit me or get some ice cream down at the ice cream shop next to me. I have four girls. I have a graduating senior from Jefferson this year. She's going to Rochester, and she's also headed off to Mankato for state for softball, which is pretty exciting. It's a busy week this week. And then 12 year old and a five and a four year old, so two pandemic babies. And during that time, I was actually teaching as an art teacher. So that's my background. And at the Catholic school, we were still in session during pandemic, so I was art on many carts and postpartum and pregnant and everything. It was really great time.
Dina Simon 1:41
Oh my gosh.
Katie 1:43
I like to have a lot to do.
Dina Simon 1:45
Yes, obviously you have a leg a lot to do with four girls just right there. Yes, yeah.
Katie 1:51
So we live right here in Bloomington and I, we bought the house because the backyard is a big backyard facing the South, so I could have all the gardens my heart desires so nice, big gardeners as well. That's what I like to do in my spare time.
John S. 2:05
So as a softball Mom, how much time do you get to spend out on the field watching your daughter play?
Katie 2:12
Well, I get she's we have, we're kind of as low entry as possible, which, you know, doesn't mean that she gets a ton of playing time against her teammates. But if you've never been around softball, the bench is half of the fun. Anyways, when they've been in sections, I've gotten to every game and they've won every game. So now I'm required, well, except for the game I didn't go to they lost. So now they're like, Well, now you have to come to every game, so
Dina Simon 2:37
Because you're their good luck charm.
Katie 2:40
Yeah, so now we're gonna they came into my studio as a team to do a little team building project one day at a rain out. And so instead of practice, coach is like, we're all going to The Arts Creative. And I have a fun relationship with their with their coach as well. So we came over and made some clay stuff, and I fired that for them. And if you know, clay kind of has two types of process, so now it's got to be colored yet. So I'm going to send all their clay gear with them tonight for the tournament, and this and the paint pens, and so they could have a little another team bonding to get their luck to learn.
Dina Simon 3:17
I love that. Oh my gosh. And what a great case study for the business that you're building. I love that.
Katie 3:22
This gentleman, his name is Jim Hansen. He owns clutch hitters here in Bloomington, and last year we were doing a team building project, and he was talking, he goes, you know, Bloomington has never had an art festival before. We should throw an art festival. And I'm like, sounds like a great idea. And so that's how we started the Bloomington Street Art Festival last year. We did that on the hottest weekend ever in July last year. And luckily, this year, we're gonna partner with nine mile brewing. Nice boat's gonna be September 20, out at nine mile brewing, and that kind of it starts off the Oktoberfest too. So we're gonna sneak in right on their festival, which has been awesome for me, because I don't have to have any permits or any any kind of money at all, like I had two last year. We had to figure out a whole entire, you know, everything from bifis to garbage cans. So Right?
Dina Simon 3:22
Oh my gosh. Well, I have it on my calendar, but John, that is Katie in a nutshell. So from an entrepreneurial spirit, when somebody says, Hey, we should do something, she's like, okay, let's step in. And how are we going to go do that, right? Katie?
Katie 3:37
I love it. I love to.
Speaker 1 4:32
Dina mentions that your husband's an entrepreneur also,
Katie 4:36
Yeah, my husband is a photographer, videographer, and he worked at The Nerdery for a very long time. That's now in Edina, and then he just kind of is off on his own right now, doing corporate headshots. And I still think he does some video for me as well. So on my YouTube page, I've got a couple of his videos, and no matter how we are as friends or otherwise, like, I'm always the biggest fan of his work, because he's just such a great storyteller and has such a great eye. So I love his work all the time.
Dina Simon 5:08
Okay, so I want to talk a little bit before we talk about your studio and everything, so let's talk for a second. So the four girls and where you lived talked about that and teaching. So talk to us a little bit about your teaching career, and then how you decided to go off on your own.
Katie 5:23
When I was in high school, well, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. When I tried to explain math to people, I realized math teacher was not going to be it, because it's really hard to explain people who don't get it. And I was like, it's right there. So I fell in love with art in high school, I took ceramics class over and over again, and then I tried a bunch of different careers. I landed back up into teaching. And so I started teaching about 12 or 13 years ago at Totino Grace High School. And if you ask me, What do you want to be when you grow up, it was going to be a high school ceramic art teacher, and that's what I was for my very first teaching job. I taught ceramics and stained glass. It was a really amazing experience. I made a lot of great connections with the kids that year. They unfortunately lost one of their seniors to brain cancer, and they kind of knew that was coming. So it's a big, huge deal. And I remember one of the kids who was really close to m e sent me a Facebook message. So he sends me, he's like, traveling all over the world, and he's like, you know, that was so important to come to your class on all those crappy days, because it was just like therapy coming in. You just always had a good you know, even though whatever was going on outside of our classroom, we could come there, and it just felt so good. So I kind of always knew there's this power of art. And just like being together, lowering that pressure, taking off, like, you know, breaking stuff down to, you know, the elements and principles of art, just line, shape, you know, design, but making it a little bit approachable, I think, has always been the key, so then people can feel a little bit comfortable, and then they can get a lot out of it, in a way where it's almost like art therapy. So I'm teaching for a while, and like every art teacher, I'm looking for a full time job because, like, I have to come in as a part time. It's been a tough road. So many schools when the universe said, you know, maybe not the schools, maybe not. I tried my best. I ended up at Wayzata High School doing a long term sub. I think I was in the principal's office every week for four weeks. I'm like this. I just don't fit, you know, I'll do my job. I'm gonna do my best, but I gotta go and do something else. And I got a lot of advice to do, stick with the kids. Katie, you're so good with the kids, you're so good. And I realized they're available in the summer, but then September hit, and I was like, Well, where are they? And they're too busy. They're at school, at sports and extracurriculars that are not art. So I noticed that there's a whole nother group of people who've been without art and expression for probably since fifth grade or sixth as a big part of my business has grown with the adults, and then especially with like the 22 to 35 range, where they are still really tapped into, like they're self aware and they have chosen different lifestyles, as far as, like, having two partners and no kids, maybe not even a home. So yeah, a little bit more disposable income, and they're looking for experiences, and they're not necessarily always trying to get like. I think we're hopefully maybe moving away a little bit from like the I need to have every single Yeti, and maybe I can just like, you know, have one or two, yeah, yeah, and bring them along to my experience. Exactly, exactly.
Dina Simon 8:51
So I think we've talked very briefly about this, but um, you know, I'm an alum of Totino Grace High School.
Katie 8:58
Oh, that's right. Oh my gosh, their show choir
Dina Simon 9:02
was always amazing. Amazing.
Katie 9:05
Terry Voss was the guy there then, I don't know if he was still around, but man, that was such a good I forgot about that.
John S. 9:12
So Katie, my takeaway from some of that discussion is, you know, you'd go to the administration, and then you wouldn't, you wouldn't hear what you really wanted to hear. The thing that this, they should have went to the kids and asked the kids, there's where you get the greatest feedback, right there? Yeah, yeah.
Dina Simon 9:29
Well, and so often art and music and those are the things that you know for even from a funding perspective, could potentially get cut and all of that. So, yes. So so then your journey to say, I'm not gonna be able to fit in this mold, and I should go out and do my own thing. So how did that all happen?
Katie 9:48
Well, I'm one of nine kids, and we come from a lot of entrepreneur family, although I'm a little bit the oddball out. You wouldn't guess it. But finally, the family was like, hey, you've always wanted do this. One of the family members is really good at setting up the LLC. I wish I would have checked it's still my responsibility to have checked everything, and I wish I would have known a little more ahead of time, like everyone would, but they just basically pushed me out of the nest and said, it's time. You know, you've been crying about this and thinking about this and saying about this. All your life, I've always wanted to create something. My idea was considered something called Hot art, where HOT stands for higher order thinking, which is a educational philosopher Blooms taxonomy that says creating is your highest level of thinking, because you have to use all those other types of like acknowledgement, understanding and, you know, practice before you can create new with that. So I got X on my name, which makes sense. There's a lot of reasons why I think it'd be better for like, our nonprofit, you and I have talked about because I can explain it a little better. But as a storefront, it was like, You got to get a name that, like everybody knows exactly what it is going on in there, which made sense. And then I just was, you know, we kind of like punched a couple quick numbers because I'm good, I'm keeping my bills straight, so I'm like, Okay, could I do this? I guess maybe, yeah. So then we just kind of signed the lease and tried to ask some questions about that awesome lease, and then signed a quick three years to see if I could do it. So I'm two years in with another year to go. And, you know, the economy is moving around, so I'm pivoting a little bit.
Dina Simon 11:34
Yeah, share with Share Like, so community facing. How do people get engaged with The Arts Creative.
Katie 11:39
Of course, I have a website, which is, you know, really fun as an entrepreneur, to learn how to do a website and learn how to fight other people making websites and all that stuff and what fits. But my website is pretty good, and everything on there, like my phone number emails, all goes to me. So if there are any questions about, How do I sign up for this? It's a pretty easy booking system, though, even, like, if you had a summer camp, or maybe you took, like, a whole week, or like a 10 week, course, if I had, I'm gonna do a book club in September, you couldn't pay for the whole thing. Like, they have options to do payments, payment plans, which is nice for those summer camp parents, I have really liked doing the birthday parties here. That's been I feel like I'm back in the classroom with the kids again, because they all know each other. They hear my teacher voice, and it just kind of all works together, and we just have a really good time. So I love my private parties. And I have a teacher friend who does her parties here. So her 30 somethings all come, and she caters a little food and drink, and we just have fun doing a really Valentine's Day event. So she invited all her friends. We made Valentine stuff. And then, just recently, I'm going to do my second corporate gig. And so I had this idea of art being, you know, an easy expression, icebreaker, something for some team building. And I also noticed there's so much pride when I did these cute little projects that I'm practicing for my kindergarten. And I'm like, wow, I'm really good at that. Van Gogh, Iris, it's just so beautiful. And I'm like, you know, let's try this as adults. So I have done it with multiple parties here with adults. And I'm like, I wonder if I can do this with some corporate people. So I my brother worked at Donaldson engineering, and he's like, hey, I want to do this corporate outing. I thought. I'm like, yes, okay, brother, let's do this. So we had the Donaldson engineers at nine mile brewing with a friend of mine, Tao fam cooking some some bites for us. And they had such a blast. It was like a second grade classroom in there. They, of course, over engineered and like created themselves with each flower. And it was just it was so cool. And then one guy goes, I haven't used this side of my brain in so long, and I was like, you win. You win. Like, that's exactly why we're doing this. Well, that was, like, the sneak attack. You know, we're doing a mean bonding, and it's an Audi and appreciation. But the real trick, and where I think magic is, and where the value I can bring to these companies is, like, it actually, there's so much more that art does you know? So our next one we're going to do is polar semiconductor. And the project we're doing there is a steel it's called the Community Circle project. So it looks like a target with concentric circles, and it's, you give them props, like, What's your favorite food? Draw in emojis on the outside, something easy, a donut. You know? What's here? So that's all like, oh, you know, remember when you learn who you are in school or whatever. So this is for the interns, and they're all going to meet each other. The next one, you can say something like, what do you have to get out of your experience here? Like, you can really prompt them these, and then you can keep them up and hang them up and stuff. And it's like all these talking. Paul. It's a really good one. So we're going to do that in about a week or so at polar semiconductor. And I met Becca through the business connections that Bloomington puts on. And different they all set different spots, and it's just a bunch of people businesses and coming together.
Dina Simon 15:18
I love the business aspect, because so like the team building, but just what you said, you have a bunch of engineers that were like, Oh my gosh, I haven't used the side of my brain. So there's just so much benefit also for them to get out of the box, get out of the office, and go do something different, just to stretch their brains differently. And then the exercise with the group of interns, what a great way to get to know who they are coming in to, you know, to a new company. I love that.
Katie 15:44
You also get a little peek, I think, like the opportunity to be like, Okay, I know this about my employer intern now I know a little bit more of their skill set and where I can, like, you know, stretch,
Dina Simon 15:57
Leverage them, yeah.
Katie 15:59
Which I think is cool. So nice. We're gonna do another video of that with my husband, so that I can kind of start packaging that up. I love it because I'm learning. And then another big pivot that I did, you know, during the winter, where it's like, kind of down, has been going out to different breweries. There's a gentleman from Bloomington that does like pain sips Minnesota. And so I went on his website and looked at all the locations he does his stuff. And I was like, Hey, do you want to do stained glass instead of painting? They're like, yeah. So they added me to almost all those schedules. And now building those relationships out and kind of like, you know, now I'm going to kind of broaden what I offer that as well. So stained glass and jewelry, and I think we're gonna do watercolors, because that's kind of something different.
John S. 16:48
I was interested in the resourcefulness that you talked about, breathing new life into donated art supplies who would end up in landfills, and you're getting a chance to use them with your students.
Katie 17:02
So I grew up as a girl scout, and one of their laws, or whatever, is to use resources wisely, and which just means, like, you know, thinking about something before you just toss it away. And then I've must have some sort of bad signal, because people now just keep bringing me their stuff as, like, I know you can probably use this. I don't want to throw it away, and some of the stuff is brand new. So, like, yes, there's some things that are like, you know, my I think one of my favorite ones was my Mom's best friend's husband. It's always somebody's best friend's husband, right? Yes, he worked to at the shop where they made water skis. And so it's a pretty wide piece of wood and a very quality piece of wood. And the inserts where they would subtract for the foot rubber boots, yeah, they just had all these little these little spot, these little squares, these little rectangles. And so he cornered them off and made them all whatever, and he stacked them up for me, and they look like little like thick, nice chalkboards kind of and so I've been carrying them around for a couple different years, since this man has since passed away, rip Raymond. And I'm like, still carrying these things around, until I finally, like, oh my gosh, I see this project where you can nail a bunch of nails and then do the string art with it. Yeah, and they were perfect. They're already a nice, beautiful frame, the black background piece of wood. It was like, we did it for a birthday party one one time, and just got a bunch of girls hammering the way in here. And it was like, it was perfect, and those things. So I think about also, you guys might, may have had kids watch the Toy Story movies, you know, yeah, where it's like, those toys aren't really they feel like they're not as loved unless they're played with or seen. And so, like, when people give me their recycled paper or they're these pieces of wood, it's like, I'll bet those things never thought they're going to be such cool piece of work, you know.
Dina Simon 19:01
Exactly. Oh my gosh, I have, I when we're done, I'll show you. I have some of that artwork in my office that made the difference.
Katie 19:09
It's so cool. And it's like that, even that string, you know, how many people get rid of that embroidery floss, and it's all tangled up, and it's like if you sit down and untangle it. First of all, there's always a kid in my classroom wants to untangle or organize some stuff, and I'm always like, Oh, it's not really, you know, that great of a thing for them to do, but it's actually such a cool thing for them to do because they love the focus, or they love the little like, you know, problem solving of untangling something, and then all of a sudden, if it looks like it's more valuable, People are going to treat it more valuable, right? And that's a lesson my mom and dad always taught me, like they'd paint something to make it look look nicer, so that it looks like it's more valuable. You'll treat it better.
Dina Simon 19:51
So Katie, one of the things I wanted you to talk about as an entrepreneur, so you've done a beautiful job in tapping into resources, because that's how I how. How I got to meet you is through some of the Elevate Hennepin programming. And so talk to us, just because I think it's super interesting. When you set things up you have a fiscal sponsor, can you just kind of walk through your business setup and share kind of how you set it up?
Katie 20:16
Yeah, when I, like one of my first people off, LV Hennepin, I think was Katherine Pyle, and I was doing some quick books that I moved with a lady at A and M associates, Ana mazig, and she actually helped me write a employee handbook. Yeah, I kind of just need to know, what the heck am I doing here, you know? So she, like, made a personalized handbook for me, which really was helpful, especially because I was violating my own situations many times, so
Dina Simon 20:46
most so. So I love Anna. We work closely together, but that's been a huge eye opening for most of the businesses that I'm working with in Hennepin County, any place it's not just Hennepin County, most businesses like you you get into business because you have a passion and expertise and opening up and having employees and knowing what to do and all the HR rules and regulations and how to complete an di like that is not your wheelhouse, nor should it be. Your wheelhouse is art where, like, my wheelhouse is HR. So, yeah, so keep going, so you're not alone there.
Katie 21:21
Well, it's like, you know, I recognize with the first I thought, I only get 25 hours total with all of it. Hennepin, so I'm like, Catherine Powell, I gotta go. I only have one hour with you. You know, it's not I gotta save my hours. And then I learned, oh no, I get 25 hours per advisor. So then I was like, Okay, I recognize every time a problem will come up in business that I need to solve. Like I had a gal reach out to me from Canada that has the arts creative as her business, and it.ca's not.com and so she's like, You need to change your name. And I'm like, a brand new business. I'm like, Oh my gosh, I don't know what to do. So I call the law attorney on there on the Elevate Hennepin, and they're like, write a quick letter to her and say, Actually, she's fine. You're Yeah, she's in us. Everybody's happy. Never heard from her again. Totally fixed my problems. I've also done, not just like with the mentors on there, but I've also done some of their workshops, like a tech essentials workshop, and I've got some grants from that kind of stuff. But the I've noticed, like, one of the guys with a tech essential workshop, his name is John B Yang, and he was telling us about all this AI stuff, a brother of mine had reached out. He's like, Dude, I could build you an AI, you know, assistant. And I was like, Okay, great. Crickets. And then I was like, You know what? That's what John does. So I'm like, I'm gonna reach out to John and see if he wants to build this AI thing for me. So he does, and we're gonna start working on that. And he goes, Hey, I wanna throw an art festival in July in St Paul, in this parking lot. Blah, blah, blah. Would you be willing to help me do it? I'm like, absolutely, you know, yes. So it's my repertoire. Now I'm a festival, you know, programmer, I guess, whatever you want to call it, but it's just fun, because I've noticed in the two quick years with art, obviously, I'm learning a lot about business, and anytime I don't know something, there's resources. There's so many resources to tap into, and they're really, like, willing to help, which is really awesome. It's like,
Dina Simon 23:29
but not everybody knows they're out there, so you've done a great job in finding them.
Katie 23:33
No, it's true. It's tough and like, and I didn't know before. You know, Barb Wolf is my I call her my red tape remover. She's a really huge advocate as a port authority in Bloomington, just helping the small businesses, like, kind of jump over Bloomington has a little bit of reputation to, like, be a little bit tougher to jump through some hoops. So she tends to be a really good, yeah, circus provide. Tell us what to do.
Dina Simon 23:58
Okay, so, so how did you decide to set yourself up the way you
Katie 24:03
did with LLC? You mean, like, as an LLC sole proprietor, yeah, but
Dina Simon 24:07
then, then, like, so how this whole fiscal sponsor piece?
Katie 24:10
Oh, yeah, another person on La Henson was Springboard for the Arts. And I, you know, people had asked me, Do you want to be a non profit, or do you want to be a for profit. And the suggestion was to say a for profit in case of, you know, you want to sell the business all these reasons. And I was like, Okay, sounds good, since I'm already there anyways, I don't want to switch if I don't have to. And then, as I was trying to research money and how to get money, I just thought there was only grants out there, like, and I don't know if I can write grants and focus long enough, so I'm taking this program through the library, talking about art and how artists can make a business and Springboard for the Arts. Says, Yeah, we do a we also offer fiscal sponsorships, meaning that they act as my bank with the 501, C. Three capabilities, and that I can raise any kind of funds for my nonprofit, like Project, which I call hot art. And in that project, I raise money to offset costs for summer camps. And I also am raising funds to support the festival. I can raise, you know, I just set any budget, as long as it's all detailed out, and they approve the budget. And then I set up a give mn website that just collects, you know, donations that are tax free. And then now it's my job to go find sponsors and stuff so that I can fill up that sponsorship. And,
Dina Simon 25:41
yeah, so it's really a beautiful so you you have the best of both worlds, because she's got the LLC for her to do, like the corporate stuff and the the stuff at the breweries. Like, you can do that through your LLC, but then to have this fiscal sponsor that supports you, so you don't have to go be a 501 c3, but you can raise cash and capital because, and I know this personally, some people don't care. They'll give you money regardless. But some people do care that it's a 501 c3, it's money going to children, it's going to summer camps and things of that nature. And there is a there is an interest in that. So I love how you structured that. So whoever, whoever helped you with that, and I think part of it was you just hearing, because, again, in your creative brain, and you also know numbers and so for you to hear from the springboard, Springboard for the Arts, like, hey, there might be an opportunity here. And then, because of your tenacity and who you are, you're gonna push forward for a yes, like, how are we gonna make this happen? It really is a beautiful thing. So I'm super impressed with how you've done that, and the success that you've had in a few short years. And John, as you've heard her ability to flex based on what's happening in this crazy world, like you've you've been able to do that.
John S. 27:02
I'm impressed with hearing and this isn't the first time I've heard about Hennepin County, what they're doing for small businesses, and it sounds like you're taking advantage of all the resources that they've offered you.
Katie 27:14
Yeah, it's been, you know, they've, they had, like, a shark tank contest type of thing called Hatch Bloomington last year and this year that I got to participate in. So I got a lot of free press from that. And I learned a lot too about, like, just other people in this small business. One of the things I told the gentleman, Sean Lundy, or no, no, no, this was through hatch. And it wasn't Sean, but it was, I can't remember his name, but he's like, Hey, I have a lady who wants to assign or try out for Hatch. Bloomington, you were a past person that loves to chat. Would you like to tell her about it? And I was like, Sure. And I go, Hey, by the way, like, it would be nice for all of us to get together again. Like, you know, like, send our little woes of like, entrepreneurship and like, just keep that community growing. Because one thing I noticed with my mentors is like, they know so much, and they want to give you all the knowledge, but then I have a to do list, you know what I mean? And that to do this grows so much where it's like, sometimes I just need, you know, the other person who's like, also going through whatever, or just, it doesn't have to be to solve a problem, but just to be like you're not the only person dealing with that.
Dina Simon 28:26
Yeah, because it's lonely, it's it can be very lonely, right? Yes. And so to have other business owners that you can you can chat with, yes, well, knowing that we were going to talk about life, leadership and building legacy, so you've talked a lot about your life and building legacies is everything that you do when you get out of bed in the morning, leadership. So good leadership like talk to us about what leadership means to you.
Katie 28:49
You know, coming from employee to solopreneur is such a weird situation, because there's no 40 minute or 40 hour clock. There's no boss, even though I still have to deal with, like, landlords and stuff like that. So but nobody, like checks on me to see if I'm doing my things. And so leadership has been, you know, it's gonna have to come up, especially if when I start getting employees. But I've noticed, even just in the making connections at the breweries. And I'm like, Okay, let me get this straight. Your only job is marketing, but I have to, like, do everything and remind you to market me. You know what I mean, but I'm, like, doing everything else, or, like, with the festival. And you know, you're, you're the hurry up and waits, because there's like, 10 people to coordinate to do things. And so I'm learning, you know, that I really do have a skill of, like, just, kind of, just as a teacher person, just like, kind of keeping on or the mom too, just keeping on top of things that management and that I need to lean into a little bit more sometimes. I tend to be like, Oh, maybe I shouldn't, because I'll come off a certain way, or I'll, you know, especially in my background with teaching, whenever I spoke up, it was like, Katie, shut up, you know, just go with the flow more. And I feel like I'm a little bit more of a disrupter. And so like, I think that I just need to remember to listen to my gut more about that. The skills that I have are put there for a reason, like, go talk to the city council tonight, like I was given a big mouth for a reason, and maybe it's happening to me right now for this reason, because I do get frustrated when stuff is just, like, unjust or enough for him, nobody asks, like, Well, why is this normal? Like, why are bad things normal? Why could we change things and stuff? And so I've definitely felt with Bloomington, and I know that Hennepin has been getting Henry constant a lot of really great praise, because they're willing to at least, like, listen, listen, yeah. And, I mean, I'll take that.
Dina Simon 31:01
Yeah, exactly right. Let's have the battle is just having somebody to listen well. So you know, I adore you, and I'm happy to help you in your leadership growth as it happens. But what I also want you to know is you are who you are, and as you just said, you might have been given a big mouth for a reason, right? Like so you're gonna stand up for things and people and things that others might not your energy, enthusiasm and your passion is infectious. So those are things that we would never want you to lose.
Katie 31:33
The infectious part, I've actually one of my close sisters has said that, and I love it when it's a great one, but it's a lot to carry. Sometimes, when you're not feeling great, you're like, especially as an art teacher or a person who's like, I call myself an art tender, because that's like, instead of bartending, like, I'm Art pending, I'm kind of giving people. But you have to provide that experience too, and give out that energy of like, calmness and let them feel like, you know, there's a spot to make mistakes, or that they're safe and stuff. And so I definitely, when I'm on, it's like a lot. I do know that my energy could be contagious in that way. So it's like, Hmm, I have to be purposeful and thoughtful. Probably need to work on a lot more self care to make that that's something that I'm learning this year, that it's not something you can just like, put away for later. You know, I do now a little bit
Dina Simon 32:32
Well with a four to 18 year old, you gotta, alot going on at home too.
Katie 32:37
Yeah. It's fun. It's pretty fun. I'm my biggest brag with the girls, of course, my firstborn is such a great gal, but she when we couldn't deal with the two not falling asleep together because they were sharing a room the two babies, I was like, something's gotta happen. And so I split the babies into the big girls rooms. And so my 18 year old shares a room with her four year old sister, and they love it. It's so funny. I'm like, man, you're so lucky that. Like, sister loves you like that.
Dina Simon 33:08
And when she goes off to college, that's gonna be very hard.
Katie 33:12
Oh, I know. I'm I think I'm more like, people like, are you so sad? Are you so sad? I'm like, I'm pretty concerned about my Maisie having to leave Kay, and you know how bad that's gonna be. Who's gonna have it worse? I don't know. I see, we'll see.
Dina Simon 33:26
Hey, Katie, where are you? You said you're one of nine. Where do you fall? Lucky? Seven.
Katie 33:31
I was the only one born out of state. So I was born in Chicago. Everybody else was born in Minneapolis. So I definitely am, and I look different than all them, too. I'm the odd man out, but it's, you know, it was a it was a good family growing up with. And I think I actually get to call my auntie after this, and she, you know, was cool is she's on my mom's side, and she, if you guys have heard about this generation curse breaking kind of thing where, you know, there's generational just, like, not great stuff, right? And so we gotta, like, stand up and say, Okay, no, right? And so I recognize that this Auntie did that, like one generation before me, and I get to see her kids like, just be like, this thing. And I'm like, it was a huge inspiration for me to say, Okay, let me, you know, put some boundaries out there too, so that my kids can have that ability, instead of having all the stuff that we carry because we just, we always showed each other love by hating each other. And I'm like, Well, you can love somebody just by loving them. That's cool. Let's try that. So we try that a little bit more in our family, at home and but it's cool because, you know, I just, I've been thinking about reaching out to this Auntie for a while, and I'm like, he's a good one.
Dina Simon 34:58
I'm glad you are so you can tell her, yes, absolutely, yes. Well, knowing that you were going to be on the podcast, anything else that you wanted us to hear.
Katie 35:07
I think you know, especially for other people doing stuff like this, that I it's cool to know that there's a community that's supportive, and you just can reach out to that. And I've noticed, even with the arts, like, sometimes you're barking up the wrong tree, and if you turn around and bark to the other tree, there's, like, a whole big bunch of people there, and they really like it, you know. And it's hard to turn around because you're like, but I can probably convince them, and it's like, no, just keep going this way. You know, you don't have to. Not everybody's your customer, right? So, you know, if you're spending that much time convincing, maybe it's not worth it, and maybe they'll get some FOMO, and they'll figure it out, you know, but think that's my, that's my. My biggest takeaway is that I need to continue to focus on, you know, those symbiotic relationships of how, who's, you know, one give and take.
Dina Simon 36:03
Well and John, we've talked about like so Katie, with your creativity and using your brain differently. There's so many applications to this, from children to high school, college, early professionals, seniors, senior citizens that need to keep their brain active. Yeah, yeah. Yeah,
Katie 36:21
I've been thinking of trying to figure out, how do I and I've, I've almost had ins at a couple different, you know, senior living places, some that drive, some that stay. And I think that if I can figure it out to solve this, the best thing would be, is to invite them with my kids, so that the those generations, because there's something that happens, okay, right now, our kids are troubled. Oh my gosh. They're so naughty in school sometimes, and they chat and then this, and then that. And, you know, we just never give them enough boundaries, funny enough. They love boundaries and feel very, very safe with boundaries, which is why all my students actually do love me. But, yeah, I have expectations, but I think when their elders come around, that next generation, like there's still some inherited understanding that, like that generation doesn't play and they just have a different set of expectations and a different energy level. And I think we need more of it so that those kids can have that influence, because show them respect. They will show a little bit of kindness. They'll be patient, because Grandpa doesn't know how to use the phone or whatever you know. And so those skills are huge. And then, if you see a person who maybe has been stuck by themselves for so long because it they aren't with around their family, and how much joy they get from a little life being silly around them. It's just cool. So it's here. It's gonna come someday. Maybe it's more through the nonprofit side versus the for profit, because I think that part's really hard, because you do have to be a little bit I'm not as cutthroat in the business that I need to be in order to make money. So I feel like that's where my opportunity to do the nonprofit, like stuff here, business over there.
Dina Simon 38:13
And, you're one person, so you need other people that could go and help do this. That would be great. So I have a I have a potential solution for you. So here in Eagan, Mandy went to Intergenerational Learning Center, and so it's has a sister relationship with the Commons on Maurice. So they they would interact with they called them the grandparents. So they were like, they kind of share a parking lot and they would spend time together so that something like that, where there's a setup that might work for you,
Katie 38:46
Yeah, that I can just insert the arch like, I like it, awesome.
John S. 38:52
It's funny. You mentioned that because I was watching TV this morning and I had a little bit about a program that's in New York state right now, but the seniors, they go to the schools and, and it's, it's for grandpa's not so much for grandma's, because they, their thought was, oh, grandmas get a lot of attention. Grandpa's don't get much attention. But they, they were teaching the kids checkers and and Jenga and playing games and and the kids were were really communicating with the with the older people, because a lot of you know, a lot of the young kids don't have grandparents either living near them, or have that opportunity to spend quality time, and this program here allows that.
Katie 39:37
Yeah, it's interesting that our society has moved so advanced that we have to, like, put this in purposely, when it used to just be inherited as an extra natural thing. But we're, you know, it took a minute, but I think we're recognizing that there is a huge need for that. There's some crazy, awesome philosopher that says, or, I don't know, scientists that was like, studied, you. Like, Why do women stop procreating at a certain age? Why do we preserve them? And they the science says is we literally preserve them because we need them as grandmas, because they're so important as grandmas and teaching and being in the home and helping all that stuff. And I'm like, it's so true, we need that, I and also the unconditional love the kids need to feel that unconditional love. And one, when people get older, they don't really care if it's their kid anymore. They're just like any little kid, come on, you're so cute or and
Speaker 2 40:32
A lot of times, especially in Italy and some of your European countries, you have multi generational families all living together, where the grandparents take care of the children while the parents are out working, and they have that community with with the whole family.
Katie 40:49
I've seen it coming back around a little bit, and I didn't realize it until the grandparents started becoming my clients, because they were the daycare for the summer. So the parents are still at work, and so the kid, school aged kids, you know, you don't have to wipe their butts anymore. They can pretty much be self sustained, but still, they're with grandparents, and the parents are, the grandparents are more into paying for my art than the parents are, because they understand the value of it, where the parents are like, you know, I could go to the zoo for the same price, and my kid could run around all day. And I'm like, Yeah, I could. You're right, that's totally true. Or, you know, but they're gonna stand in line at the zoo and they're gonna have that experience, the same experience five days in a row, you know, where the other where some grandparents here, they're just like, oh my gosh, they just can't get enough art, and I don't have enough stuff in my house, so I just need a hearing. So great. Gives them another one. Yeah, they're my new they were someone that I wanted to tap into this year because I was like, they also have a little bit of disposable income because their kids are out of house, you know. Yes. So well. Katie, anything else? Oh, always, but not for now. All right, all right, John,
Dina Simon 42:00
John, any other questions?
John S. 42:03
No, I think we covered an awful lot in the last 50 minutes. We did.
Dina Simon 42:07
We did. We did okay. So, Katie, we want to thank you for being on the podcast. You know, I am a I'm a raving fan, and so I'm very excited to see what you continue to do, and I'm going to be here to continue to support you. And we need to probably focus in on a couple of these revenue streams and how, how we get you out there and continue the conversation from clients that you gain and fundraising streams that you do, but just so excited about your passion and energy, and as we've talked about, it's so needed, regardless of your age, like this creativity and getting people to think, and you've talked about art, you know, art therapy, like there's just so much, so much passion around it. And we just thank you for what you're doing in the community.
Unknown Speaker 42:52
Thanks. Thanks for cheeringleading, Dina, we need the cheer.
John S. 42:56
I know one thing after hearing you, I need to visit this nine mile brew route next time I'm up there,
Katie 43:01
Yeah, yeah, it's a great spot. And they just got their food license open, and September 20, I hear there's going to be a great festival there.
Dina Simon 43:09
Yes, I have it on my calendar, and then we'll, we'll chat, because we should talk about how we can do some happy hours and stuff with some corporate people.
Katie 43:19
Yeah, awesome. All right. Well, thank you guys so much for having me.
Dina Simon 43:23
I would like to thank Katie Ross, the Founder of The Arts Creative located in Bloomington, for being a part of our podcast. As you can hear, her passion for the arts is infectious, and we'll make sure you know how to follow her, get involved and support her cause. As always, I'd like to thank my father in law, John Simon, for being my co host, and the podcast is a proud member of C suite radio, and until we talk again.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai