Meet Jennifer Harms | Owner Operator and Artist Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Harms and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
Wow, you’re job is so easy! You just get to paint all day!

I hear it all the time, and I equate it to when someone says something must be free if it doesn’t have a price tag. I honestly wish that just painting was all I had to do.

Running the studio involves everything any other business has to do. I have employees to pay, and schedule, and unlike many other businesses, we are a specialized skill set. We have to be bartenders, artists, teachers and customer service. There is inventory to order and keep track of. Stock to figure out what will and won’t sell. Marketing. Social Media. Franchise standards. And bills… all the bills.

Many people think it’s just paint and canvases. It is so much more. Unlike other businesses, restaurants for example, we have more dead days then active. Our costs reflect our expenses like any other business but we have to charge to reflect not only supply but time. Art is time. Whether it’s a class or a private event or commissioned work – art takes time. Far more then many people think. Truthfully, there are some days that I can’t even paint. I genuinely struggle to produce something that looks good enough to teach, but we have to. As my staff and I know, even if it is a type of painting we are not comfortable with, or think is in our skill set, we have to paint.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I do not regret having to participate or handle any of the above. It’s part of running a business, whether good or bad. There are somedays though that I wish my job was something as simple as just getting to paint all day.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Pinot’s Palette is a franchise based out of Texas. We are listed as the premier paint & sip in Ohio, which is backed up by our reviews across the board. It is something I’m proud of and hope to maintain. My goal is to see people enjoy art. So many come in and say they can’t paint, and I love seeing their reactions at the end. So many are surprised to see just how well they can do. I don’t like to set high expectations or standards, I want people to simply have fun with the process and maybe learn some tricks along the way.

When I originally joined the business, I had been a prior customer then joined as a part time worker under the original owner of our location. This was something so perfect for just a small part time job that paid for my tattoos and motorcycle. I came from corporate America as a logistics coordinator at one of the local import warehouses. Eventually the original owner wanted to sell and I decided to buy. During the ebbing of Covid in 2021. Thinking back it probably wasn’t the best idea. It hasn’t been easy. Oddly enough, 2023 has been the worst. I chalk it up to everyone finally getting out without Covid restrictions and wanting to travel and be outside. We will adjust and persevere because I have to.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m not going to lie – We would hit up my studio at some point, just for some fun and maybe to torment my instructors during a class (in a good way!)

Other then that what would we do for a week?
There would definitely, be day trips to the Cleveland Zoo and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Those are just always on the tops of my list. West Side Market is another must stop – plus you can eat while you check out all of the vendors! Snagging a crepe and a coffee is tradition for our family. After the Market, a trip to the Cleveland Aquarium and a dinner boat ride on the Nautica Queen would finish out another day.
Cleveland is a bit of a foodie town to me for Asian cuisine, so another day of walking the city and stopping into the shops and restaurants throughout would need to be done. There’s Kenko and Otani in University Circle, and of course – Insomnia cookie! Up the road a bit on Superior at the Asia Town plaza you can’t go wrong with Bubble Waffles or Li Wah, and our favorite Sunshine Pho. We have artisan ice cream shops, bakeries, and anyone that doesn’t go for a corner hot dog vendor when in a city hasn’t experienced life. The gentleman that services Cleveland Clinic main campus has some nice red hots.
Last but by far not least would be a day visiting the park system. Cleveland has an amazing park system. Squire’s Castle in the Chagrin system has stunning trails, and… a castle! (Okay, so it wasn’t a castle, but still!) Breakfast at First Watch or Scramblers, a picnic lunch put together from the previous markets, and maybe a side trip to one of the local orchards. End the day with dinner at a local winery.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give my shout out to 2 groups.

First, my family. Without them I couldn’t get through this crazy decision that I made to have my own business. They all work with me at the studio, and sometimes we butt heads (mostly with my CFO – aka my mother) but what business doesn’t have a little drama and conflict?

Second are my employees. I can’t always promise them shifts because we are event based, and if no one buys tickets events are cancelled. They have stuck with me since I hired them and I love to watch them grow as their work supports this business.

Website: https://www.pinotspalette.com/woodmere

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinotspalettewoodmere/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PinotsPaletteWoodmere/

Image Credits
Images all credited and (c) to Jennifer Harms, Pinot’s Palette & FranchiCzar