Today we’d like to introduce you to Anita Maldonado.
Hi Anita, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My business endeavor was born out of a desire to leave the corporate world and venture into the unknown. Prior to opening up my studio, I was in a government career for 16 years. Typically, these are the kind of jobs that keep you stuck because it feels secure and safe. About 90% of the people around me were just waiting for the day they could collect their retirement check — it made my stomach turn every time. I came to a point in my career where I had climbed the corporate ladder as high as I wanted to go. It was a great career that taught me a lot and helped me grow professionally. The pay was great and so were the benefits, however, I knew I didn’t want to be my boss one day. I commuted an hour and 15 minutes each way and no matter how much effort I put in or how little someone else put in, we all got paid the same. I always knew there was something “out there” for me. Something that would fuel my desire to grow and lead and achieve. The thought of owning my own business bubbled up inside of me for years until I couldn’t contain it anymore. I never knew exactly what kind of business I’d own, there were tons of ideas thrown about through the years. The idea of owning an art and DIY studio happened organically after I heard about and experienced businesses similar to mine. Through a lot of research, prayer and the blessing from my husband, I decided this was the path for me. This is where The Craft House was born.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Absolutely not! I had always read in business books and podcasts that being a business owner is one of the hardest things you could even do. Well, throw in a pandemic on top of that and it’s been anything but smooth. We opened February 22nd…three weeks before COVID19 swept in and shut everything down! It’s been a bumpy road to say the least, however, a lot of good has come out of it as well and hey, we’re still here!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Craft House is a creative gathering space for the community…funny how “gathering” has become a bad word these days. However, my desire was to have a welcoming space that the community could enjoy while experiencing the joy of art and creativity. We offer a variety of creative workshops to include paint classes, cookie decorating, macrame, hand-lettering, home decor DIY projects, charcuterie workshops, and more! I’m most proud of the community support and my amazing team. As a brand new business, we were barely trying to figure things out when COVID hit but the community rallied around us in amazing ways and my staff stuck it out right alongside me! What sets us apart is the experience. I didn’t want to be just another art studio but rather a place where people created memories while creating things. From the attention to detail in our decor to the smell and feel and the entire vibe of our studio, it’s a welcoming place that you can’t wait to come back to. When someone walks through our doors, they can leave all the worry and stress behind and have a great time.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
So many important lessons were learned through this pandemic. The first lesson is to just keep showing up and keep fighting for your dream. The second was to be open to change. For me, this was a lot easier as a new business owner because I didn’t know what I was doing in the first place, so I was able to pivot and adjust a lot quicker. However, I saw business owners struggle with trying to change what they’d been doing for years. Instead of moving forward, they froze. Lastly, something I try to remind myself of each day is to enjoy the journey. Whether it’s good or bad or in between, this too shall pass, and I’m doing what I love! I don’t want to miss these moments or these valuable lessons during the hard times. I want to take every bit of it and just enjoy the journey.
Contact Info:
- Address: 32123 Temecula Parkway Suite A Temecula, CA 92592
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.thecrafthousetemecula.com
- Instagram: thecrafthousetemecula
- Facebook: thecrafthousetemecula
- Yelp: thecrafthousetemecula
