Today we’d like to introduce you to Yesi Wilganowski.
Hi Yesi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I’m originally from Venezuela, where I graduated as Graphic Designer. I moved to the USA (Houston) in July 2016 with a suitcase full of dreams. When you move to a new country you start from nothing, you have to, pretty much, reinvent yourself and find new ways of living. I did valet parking and waitress tables for a while, later on, I found a job in a printing company, which allowed me to be back in my field.
When the pandemic hit, things slowed down a lot in the printing industry and I was not working enough hours a week, and I started questioning how vulnerable my job was and I found myself questioning my career and thinking it was a good time to learn a new trade, but to be honest, I didn’t know what that was. Well, sure enough, God always answer my prayers and opened an unexpected door/opportunity for me in a Real Estate company as Property Manager and a couple of months into it as a bookkeeper for the same company, things are great in the company.
I’m a certified bookkeeper, and I like it, however, my creative part was feeling very neglected and I was missing a very important part of my life, and one more time, God just line things up, and boom, I came a cross with a wonderful group and a leader that somehow opened my eyes and opened a wonderful door for me and that is how I started “Cheerful Colors Paint Party” I love painting and creating and I enjoy being around people, I enjoy seeing people happy, bonding, and creating memories, at the end of the day is what matters at life.
Painting got me thru one of the hardest moments in my life when I first got to this country I was in a very abusive and toxic relationship, that in a very short period, got me from being a strong and secure woman to the total opposite. Painting is such a great therapy; it takes your mind away from everything and makes you present at the moment. So, I’m a mobile art studio. I offer painting on canvas, wood door hangers, and wood porch leaners.
I bring everything you need to wherever you want and we spend from as little as 1 hour up to 3 hours together and you go home with a beautiful piece that you created. I can prepare and personalize the painting for any occasion and any group of people. I like to think I’m in the business of helping people create memories and bonding with the people they love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As with anything in life, the road is bumpy but I can’t complain, in general, is been pretty smooth. I know that when I surrender things to God and trust 100% in his perfect plan, without trying to fight him or have control over everything, things are easier and that is the way I have run this business. I don’t want Cheerful Colors Paint Party to be a burden in my life, I want it to be a blessing to others but also to myself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have always been a creative person and since I can remember I love to work with paints and power tools. With the years and the support of my wonderful and skilled husband, I have improved my skills when it comes to power tools. I love to work with wood. I try, as much as possible, to cut my wood pieces. I love to refinish wood surfaces/furniture. I’m very versatile and I love to play with different techniques and finishing.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think packing 37 years of your life in one suitcase and moving to a new country, with a different language and culture, where almost everything is unfamiliar to you is a pretty big risk (hahaha). I think I like we all feel safe in our comfort zone, however, growth comes from changes, from taking risks.
I can say I don’t regret for a minute, making that decision and taking that risk, almost 7 years ago, was it scary? Absolutely. Has been all pretty and smooth? No. But, if you persist and surrender to God and trust that if doors open is because he already had that planned for you, so you better jump into it and trust you are in his hands and all will work out for good.
Pricing:
- Painting on Canvas 11 x 14″ $35.00 per person
- Painting on Wood hangers $45.00 – $55.00 per person
- Painting on Wood porch leaners 4′ x 10″ $55.00 – $65.00 per person
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @cheerfulcolorspaintparty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheerfulcolorspaintparty
