Скачать или смотреть Turning a Local Art Store into a Thriving Online Community with Beth Bluestein

I love conversations that remind us how creativity thrives not just in big cities or fancy studios, but in small towns, small spaces, and close-knit communities.

In this episode, I talk with Beth Bluestein, owner of Sparrow Art Supply in Middlebury, Vermont. Beth shares how she turned a 750-square-foot art store into a vibrant creative hub, one that serves artists both in person and online. We talk about her journey from New York City to Vermont, how she launched her shop with a town grant, and why community became the heart of her business. Beth also shares practical wisdom for any creative entrepreneur, including how she uses a simple four-part newsletter system to stay consistent, how she built a thriving artist membership using Mighty Networks, and how she keeps going even when business feels challenging. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that creativity, connection, and courage are at the heart of every successful creative business.


00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Beth Bluestein
01:00 – From New York City to Vermont: A creative leap
03:30 – Winning a town grant to open Sparrow Art Supply
05:00 – Building a small but mighty 750 sq ft art store
07:00 – Curating supplies and creating a safe space for creativity
09:30 – Why community matters in art and business
10:30 – Launching the Sparrow Artist Collective: Connection through Mighty Networks
14:00 – Using technology to bridge in-person and online
18:00 – How to structure an online artist community
21:00 – Lessons from running a hybrid business
25:00 – The business side: What’s hard, what’s worth it
27:00 – Why newsletters outperform social media
31:00 – Beth’s 4-week newsletter structure for consistency
35:00 – Repurposing content for social and newsletters
36:00 – Finding motivation when business feels hard
40:00 – The joy of connecting through art and community
44:00 – Journaling, slowing down, and creative reflection
45:00 – Where to find Beth and Sparrow Art Supply


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