Today we’d like to introduce you to Meri Cherry.
Meri, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi! I’m Meri Cherry. Yes, that’s my real name. I know it’s crazy and totally over the top. It’s my married name, which I’ve chosen to fully embrace. Today, Meri Cherry Art Studio and Shop offer Process Art classes, toddler playgroups, parties, camps, art kits, teaching resources and more to our community all around the world.
But the Meri Cherry journey didn’t start there! Here’s how it all began:
In 2014, I took a leap of faith and left a K-2 teaching job of 15 years, and it changed the course of my life forever. I started a dream job as a Reggio inspired atelierista, and week by week, I began to get requests to teach private art classes from different families, something I had never even thought of doing.
From the moment I said “yes” to that first-class request, I hit the ground running. Mobile Art Classes were a hit! I brought on my first employee, Olivia, to keep up with the demand, and we picked up the momentum to open Meri Cherry Art Studio in 2016: our first brick and mortar location in Tarzana.
While mobile classes remained a cornerstone of our business, we had a lot of experimenting to do at the studio. I hired my second employee, Eryn, who helped me build this place from the ground up. Classes? Yes! Open Studio? Absolutely! Birthday Parties? Why not! We worked so hard. Hard enough to build up a team of 6 incredible women to take on our next adventure: moving into a larger studio space.
We found a beautiful location in Encino with way more space and way better parking (never underestimate the power of good parking). We got in a groove, and just as we were about to hit one year of crushing the planet in our new space (10 months to be exact): COVID hit.
So we pivoted. We taught virtual classes. We created downloadable content. We packed and shipped art kits. We cried. We laughed. We mourned what was and looked forward to what might be. Most importantly, we learned that we are capable of ANYTHING.
We’ve been lucky enough to actually expand since 2020, and Meri Cherry Shop opened a few doors down from the studio in June 2021. It’s a creative gift shop that offers drop-in process art-making experiences, MC art kits, our favorite art supplies, and it is my favorite place in the world.
Finally: hello 2022. Meri Cherry has grown into something truly magical, and I can’t wait to see what this year brings.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We have been fortunate enough to grow at a very fast pace, which has been so exciting and exhilarating. However, quick growth can be a real challenge when it comes to hiring. We learned a lot about how to hire effectively, all the while trying to keep to a timeline that worked for the growth we were experiencing. Finding candidates who are a good culture fit, have the skills you’re looking for, AND the capability to level up your business? It’s a learning curve, I’ll tell you that.
Another huge challenge, as almost every business can relate right now, has been navigating the COVID pandemic. Having families physically here in our space is essential to our business as an art studio, so to pivot in 2020 and 2021 meant really thinking outside the box. If families can’t come to us… how might we get the magic of Meri Cherry to them? Opening ourselves to the possibility of rethinking WHAT we are without compromising WHO we are allowed us to create facets of our business that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise: an online shop featuring Meri Cherry art kits that ship nationwide, a library of downloadable content, and live virtual classes, all of which ended up expanding and strengthening our community in an incredibly meaningful way.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Currently, I’m focusing on being an entrepreneur and a visionary for my business. My role is to keep us moving forward in a way that feels on brand, as well as financially and fiscally responsible. Having expanded our team of 6 to 16 in the past two years means that I have made a real commitment to achieving our financial goals, which I take very seriously.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
When I think about what really matters and what I feel passionately about, a few things come to mind:
– Making a meaningful difference in my community through process art and giving back to organizations with missions that benefit children, families and women.
– Working to be an inclusive, diverse and expansive company that is filled with joy and committed to making the world a better place.
– Being the best “me” I can be and setting a good example for my children.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.mericherryshop.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mericherryla
Image Credits
Photo by Laura Ise
