Three months ago, Sue Averett and Ron Roesler opened Inspired Arts in Downtown Freeland. Their business partnership and their marketing acumen combined to create a unique retail art gallery and gift shop in what is considered to be “the business hub” of South Whidbey.
Until Inspired Arts, if someone asked about art galleries on South Whidbey, they would be invited to visit Langley or the Greenbank Farm (not quite South Whidbey, but close enough).
With the opening of Inspired Arts, Freeland is now also a center for arts.
Here are the marketing concepts that Sue and Ron are employing so well:
- Niche marketing – they have created a unique art space for Freeland;
- Personal service – Sue and Ron are in the gallery most days and are quick to welcome visitors and give them a tour;
- Variety of merchandise – There are 60 artists represented that are offering a selection of everything from high end paintings to artistic, but inexpensive, gifts;
- Collaboration – All of the artists operate independently and have their items displayed for sale on a commission basis, but most of these artists are friends of Sue or Ron and have a personal commitment to seeing this store grow and flourish;
- Strong personal commitment of the owners – Sue and Ron have invested a great deal of sweat labor, as well having as their own artistic contributions for sale (they are both photographers and Ron does giclee prints as well).
Most of these concepts apply to any storefront business. Keep them in mind for your own business.