Business Q&A with Paint Nights with Sara owner discussing recent relocation

WASILLA — Paint Nights with Sara owner Sara Squartsoff-McKinley recently participated in a question and answer interview to discuss the recent relocation of her homegrown art instruction studio to the plaza off the Parks Highway near Value Village.

Q: When did you move into the new location?“It was in the first week of June.”

Q: What was the main motivation for the move?“We were outgrowing the other space. This allows us to have a large teaching room and also another classroom for a secondary party on like Friday and Saturday nights as well as birthday parties.”

Q: How much more space do you have?“We doubled. So, we’re at 3,000 square feet now. With our subscription boxes growing too, we needed more space to house all of our supplies. We’re also starting up homeschool. That’s all week long during that school year starting next month.”

Q: How do you like the new space?“We love it. The community that’s in the mall there with all the businesses are really supportive of each other. My staff loves being able to just go walk to the park right behind us… It’s been pretty good. We’re kind of in the heart of Wasilla.”

Q: What’s it like to be at this milestone after evolving your business over the years?“There’s definitely a learning curve to it,” she said with a laugh. “I have a great staff and family I’ve been able to bring onboard… Every day’s different. It’s been a challenge, but it’s been really fun and rewarding.”

Q: What was your original vision when you started Paint Nights With Sara?“The vision was always just to bring art to people, and art brings happiness… We’re just being able to branch out more and more to have a wider audience of people to bring our services to.”

Q: How has the summer been for the studio?

“It’s actually been very steady. We’ve done really with our summer art camp for kids, and our community has been really supportive coming in to check out our new location and taking a class. So, probably one of our better summers yet.”

Q: Did you have a grand opening for the new location?

“No, we have not yet. We’re still slowly getting things in order. We’re hoping to do one next month or maybe at the beginning of September.”

Q: What are some of your goals moving forward?“Just to get our calendar booked and have those classes sell out, and keep painting, keep having the opportunity to bring more and more designs to the community… Lots of new things will be happening.”

For more information about Paint Nights with Sara, call 907-521-4094 or visit paintwithsara.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.comt