When did you open your art gallery?
I opened the gallery in July of 2018.
What was business like at first?
It took me a few years to get it going. I live in a big city so art galleries are a dime a dozen, and you need something different to stand out. Once I reached one threshold, I couldn’t really get it to grow, and it was frustrating.
Why did you need capital from Cambridge?
I had a lot of ideas for events and marketing to get people into the gallery, but I didn’t have a lot of capital to work with. I thought if I could get some extra money coming in, I was confident I could turn it into more business.
Did you ever try getting the funds from a bank?
Yes. I went to a bank first, but I got denied. I suspect it’s because they didn’t support my line of work and the reasons I needed the money.
How was the application process with Cambridge Funding?
It was incredibly easy, like night and day. It was not overly complicated like it was at the bank, just a few questions. I was approved within an hour.
What did you use the capital for, exactly?
It was all about marketing. I put together some high-brow events with wine and appetizers. To get the word out, I placed ads everywhere I could think of like newspapers, magazines, even a bus stop. I used the funds to not only market the events but to create them.
Did you meet your goals with the funding?
My first event was a huge success, so I know for sure that worked. I also won a lot of awards and generated a lot more interest from artists to display their work.
What was your favorite part about working with Cambridge Funding?
Everything was awesome so I can’t really choose, but I guess I’d say my Account Expert. Ryan is an absolute doll and he always showed up for me whenever I had a concern. I think it’s the people at Cambridge that make it so great to work with.
Thanks for your time, Janna!
If your business could use some more marketing to get the word out and grow, get in touch with Cambridge Funding today for enough capital to do it.