We are so excited to bring you a new feature . We are announcing our new weekly series- West Island MomPreneur. Every week we will feature a local west island mommy that has her own business and lives in the west island. It’s so important to support local and after the year we have had, we need to support our community more than ever. The month of May features, is sponsored by Kreative Memories Photography.
We are so excited to introduce you to our twelfth MomPreneur : Jennifer Harris of Art by Jennifer Harris. Read all about this amazing MomPreneur.
Read all about Jennifer’s experience with being a MomPreneur.
- What is the name of your business and what is it about?
Hi! My name is Jennifer Harris and I do custom artwork! I paint pop art family portraits, fur baby portraits – or pawtraits as I like to call them, abstracts and more. Pretty much if you have an idea in your head and a space on your wall, I’m happy to work with you to get something colorful up in your house or office. I have recently started developing an IGTV series on Instagram where I do art lessons for anyone that wants to follow along! It’s called Arting Around with Jenny .
2. How long have you been an entrepreneur and why did you become one?
I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was young! The first business I started was doing art birthday parties when I was 13! From there, seeing the benefits of working for yourself was something I strived for into my adult life.
3.What advice would you give to a Mom considering opening their own business?
Start!!! I was hesitant to start doing custom artwork full time and was unsure if it would even work. I was scared but I took a chance and started! There’s sometimes a LOT of obstacles in the way and we tend to focus on them and talk ourselves out of things – out of starting that youtube channel, that blog, that book, but my Dad has ingrained in me that old saying “obstacles are what we see when we take our eyes off the goal.” Figure out what you’d like your business to be about, focus on your goal and start!
4.Seeing we are all about our West Island Community, where are your Go to places?
There’s so many great places in the West Island! For shopping, I would check out Royal Blush Apparel in Pointe Claire Village, they have the cutest things there! Really great to buy customizable gifts for teachers or friends! Food – our go tos are always Maiko (Sources) for sushi and Matjip (Sources) for Korean fried chicken and Lahore Karahi (off St.Jean & Pierrefonds) for the most amazing butter chicken!
5. The past year has been a struggle for everyone, what has helped you the most get through it?
My daughter has helped me, I think more than she’ll know! Having to get up every morning and help her log into school, make her meals, and being present for her kept me focused on things other than what was going on outside. Plus kids have a beautiful way of looking at the world. She looks at all this as more time with Mom – that simple. Also, my friends stepped up in a huge way when I was going through a rough patch and helped in ways I won’t be able to ever repay them for. They would get groceries, check in, put together gift baskets – anything to put a smile on my face. Their support reminded me that this is hard but we’ll get through it – together.
6. To wrap up, what are your must have items that you use or need everyday….
Right now my top items would be my phone!
Instagram is legit a full time job in of itself and has me on my phone allll the time!
My paint brushes and paint!
My Netflix, Prime, and Disney+ subscriptions because everyone needs a little downtime!
My sketchbook, I like to draw and doodle when I can.
A really good book is also good for a little downtime
Social Media and Website:
Website: In the wors
Instagram: @artbyjenniferharris
Facebook: www.facebook.com/artbyjenniferharris514
