By KELLY LOUISEIZE
At times it takes a giant leap of faith to open a business, especially when a teaching job with security and benefits beckons.
Sharon Hyder, owner of the Pink Painter, came back to Thunder Bay with the intention of graduating from teachers’ college, then heading back down to southern Ontario to work. Well, she did finish her teaching degree, but as she was painting her house so it could be ready to sell, she began having second thoughts.
“I really hated the thought of leaving Thunder Bay,” she admits.
“My friends and family are here and my son (Adam) will miss them.”
With each brush stroke she wondered what other options she had. Hyder had always liked painting.
“Is there a way I can do this and make a living out of it?” she asked herself rhetorically.
She passed the idea by close business friends, then did some market research to determine who her clientele could be. Originally, her target market was geared to women, but as Hyder hung her ‘open for business’ sign, she realized she was attracting mixed clientele.
“It had not been the way I thought,” she says.
Through word of mouth, she has been completing contracts and is booked now for a couple of weeks ahead.
“If I could be booked until the New Year I’d be happy,” she says.
It seems people are relaxed around Hyder. Maybe because she has that sort of easygoing personality, or maybe because she adds a woman’s touch to her jobs. On large contracts she calls on a fellow painter, Edward Sajna, to help her out. He has been in the business for years and often teaches her the skills of the trade. Hyder is not an interior designer, nor does she profess to know much about colour schemes. Often, a designer participates in the project.
Hyder has not approached the bank for financial assistance. Neither has she approached any funding institutions. She would like to keep as little
debt over the business as she can.
“I’m just hoping this will work out.”
Typically, Hyder buys her supplies from a paint store that provides her with contract pricing.
