🌟 Spotlight of the Month: Wyoming Art & Frame
Wyoming Capital Access is proud to highlight one of the inspiring businesses we’ve supported. Allison K. Kalpin, owner of Wyoming Art & Frame, is expanding with help from WCA programs. Here’s a deeper look into her journey, mission, and advice for future entrepreneurs.
What is your company mission/vision?
Upholding a reputation of quality for almost 50 years, Wyoming Art & Frame is dedicated to providing professional conservation framing, outstanding customer service, and a diverse and welcoming art gallery featuring the finest artists in the region.
What makes you stand out from your competition?
We differentiate ourselves from our competitors for several key reasons.
1) Quality Framing
From the design phase to building your custom frame, our commitment to excellence is evident. Every piece is handled with care and every step of craftsmanship is done in-house. Quality is our priority, and we strive to deliver the best. To achieve this, we use only methods and materials approved by the Library of Congress for conservation framing. Our dedication to continuous education and our passion for perfection fuel our pursuit of outstanding quality.
Our customers trust us, making us one of the most successful brick and mortar custom framing businesses in the country.
2) The Gallery
You’ll notice a common artistic style in many galleries across Wyoming. We have chosen to break that mold by showcasing artists who have their own unique perspectives. Our gallery stands out by featuring exceptional artwork from the finest local and regional artists. We are proud to become recognized as one of the most reputable independent galleries in the state and region.
What motivated you to expand?
I was motivated to expand because I quickly outgrew the 2,400-square-foot building where I started when I bought the business. Half of the space was a gallery, and the other half was a workshop. I was literally climbing walls to reach materials, and I had no room to store artwork waiting to be framed alongside finished pieces and materials. I didn’t even have a single table I could walk all the way around.
The gallery was too full, and I needed more wall space. With a high volume of orders coming in, my production was suffering.
After considering several buildings and even the possibility of expanding my current space, I noticed that the building two doors up had been vacant. It had large windows and an open layout, and moving there would quadruple my space. So I went for it and now I have a 10,000 sqft building.
What challenges have you faced with your expansion efforts?
This question makes my stomach sink and my heart sing at the same time.
Financing was time consuming and took longer than expected even though my numbers were there. I had planned on locking in the loan with a much lower interest rate but it took so long that I missed that opportunity. However, WCA helped me get that locked in at a manageable rate!
My first building needed a lot of work, which I poured into it, resulting in a profit when it sold, contributing to the remodel of my new building.
My current building was a nightmare. Mold, leaks, electrical issues, 40 year old ceiling tiles and carpet to start. I literally overhauled the entire 10,000 sq ft building from floor to ceiling. Partially with the help of contractors but a significant amount was tackled by myself and my family.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to start a business in Wyoming today?
Your customers are your people. Go above and beyond for every single one of them.
Be prepared to work your tail off. Owning a business takes a lot of work and dedication. BURNOUT IS REAL! TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF!
Take pride in your business. If you aren’t confident about your services, nobody else will be.
Keep going!