Welcome to The Crafty Mariana Podcast!
I’m your host Mariana, former corporate marketing girlie turned crafting workshops host.
If you’ve ever thought, ‘C...
Bringing Creativity to Cities Across Europe with Paintly Co-Founder Kenny Indenge
In this episode of the Crafty Mariana Podcast, I sit down with Kenny Indenge, co-founder of Paintly, a fast-growing paint-and-sip workshop business that has expanded across multiple European countries. Kenny shares his journey of launching Paintly, the challenges of growing a creative business, and the unique approach they take to make art accessible and fun for everyone.
What We Cover in This Episode:
✎ How Paintly was founded and inspired by a trip to South Africa
✎ The step-by-step process of launching Paintly in Belgium and expanding across Europe
✎ Challenges of scaling a workshop-based business internationally
✎ Finding and training hosts in different cities
✎ Working with venues, including partnerships with hotels
✎ Marketing strategies that drive bookings (including influencer collaborations and paid ads)
✎ The balance between keeping a stable job and running a growing business
✎ Future plans for Paintly, including an expansion into e-commerce
Kenny Indenge is the co-founder of Paintly, a workshop-based business bringing creative experiences to people across Europe. With a background in marketing and events, Kenny and his co-founder, Brandon, have grown Paintly into a thriving business with teams operating in Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Italy, and soon France. Their mission is to make art accessible and enjoyable, whether through in-person workshops or their upcoming Paintly painting kits.
Links & Resources:
✎ Paintly Website: paintlybe.com
✎ Painly Instagram: @paintlybe
✎ Painly Facebook: Paintly
✎ Painly Tiktok: @paintlybe
✎ Upcoming Workshops: paintlybe.com/en/reservation
Resources:Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop BusinessFree Spreadsheet: Figure Out Your Numbers Spreadsheet!
Links to Connect With Me:Website: craftymariana.comInstagram: @craftymarianaFacebook Community: Crafting CollectiveJoin my email list for exclusive content, resources, and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter
Let’s Make This Interactive!Have questions or topics you’d like me to cover in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or send an email to [email protected].
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1:10:50
A Conversation with Meagan from art gurl | Redefining Creativity, creating ‘bad art’ & connecting with your intuition.
In this episode, I’m joined by Meagan from art gurl to dive into the powerful connection between creativity and community.
Meagan shares her journey from starting art gurl as a simple newsletter to building a thriving creative community focused on self-expression and wellness. We explore how art can be a tool for healing, the importance of fostering connections, and the lessons learned from navigating the post-COVID landscape as a creative entrepreneur.
In this episode, we talk about:✎ Meagan’s journey in art and education and how it shaped her mission with art gurl.✎ Why creativity is more about the process than the outcome.✎ The evolution of art gurl from a newsletter to hosting transformative workshops.✎ How art gurl creates a safe and supportive space for self-expression and connection.✎ The challenges and rewards of balancing in-person workshops with an online global community.✎ The role of intuition in making impactful business decisions.
Resources:Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop BusinessFree Spreadsheet: Figure Out Your Numbers Spreadsheet!
Links to Connect With Me:Website: craftymariana.comInstagram: @craftymarianaFacebook Community: Crafting CollectiveJoin my email list for exclusive content, resources, and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter
Links to Connect With Meagan and art gurl:Website: artgurl.orgInstagram: @artgurl
Let’s Make This Interactive!Have questions or topics you’d like me to cover in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or send an email to [email protected].
Episode Highlights:✎ "Creativity is about self-discovery, not perfection."✎ "Art is a powerful tool for coping with stress and burnout."✎ "Building a community is essential for sustainable growth."✎ "Trusting your intuition is key to making impactful decisions in business."✎ "Workshops are more than events; they are spaces for connection and healing."
🎙 Listen to this episode and find inspiration for your own creative journey!
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1:14:28
What 2025 has in store for me, how I'm planning for a pop-up studio & changes to my online offers.
In this episode, I’m sharing my exciting plans for 2025! From major updates to my online business, Crafts Workshop Academy, to launching a pop-up studio and preparing for a permanent workshop space, this year is shaping up to be a game-changer.
In this episode, I talk about:✎ How 2024 taught me to simplify and focus on what matters most.✎ The exciting changes coming to the Crafts Workshop Academy, including live monthly trainings, fresh workshop plans, and action-packed challenges.✎ My plans for a two-month pop-up studio and the steps I’m taking to open a permanent studio space.✎ My vision for hosting more private workshops weekly in 2025 and beyond.
Resources:Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop Business - craftymariana.com/guide
Free Spreadsheet: Figure Out Your Numbers Spreadsheet! - craftymariana.com/numbers
Links to Connect With Me:Website: craftymariana.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/craftymariana/My Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftingcollectiveJoin my email list for exclusive content, resources and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter
Let’s Make This Interactive! Have questions or topics you’d like me to cover in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or send an email to [email protected].
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13:19
Going Full-time, $10k Months & Studio Challenges
In this episode, we’re diving deep into the journey of building a profitable workshop business! From making the leap to go full-time to uncovering the realities of commercial studio spaces, I’ll share my story, strategies, and insights to help you plan your next steps.
In this episode, I talk about:✎ The steps I took to transition to full-time workshops—and how you can plan your own journey.✎ How I broke down a $10K month, including workshop types, ticket prices, and strategies.✎ The shocking realities of commercial leases and whether opening a studio is the right move for me.
Resources:Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop Business - craftymariana.com/guide
Free Spreadsheet: Figure Out Your Numbers Spreadsheet! - craftymariana.com/numbers
Links to Connect With Me:Website: craftymariana.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/craftymariana/My Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftingcollectiveJoin my email list for exclusive content, resources and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter
Let’s Make This Interactive! Have questions or topics you’d like me to cover in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or send an email to [email protected].
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24:07
How I Turned Crafting Into a Career: My story of going from corporate marketing to building a crafts workshops business
Welcome to the very first episode of The Crafty Mariana Podcast! In this episode, I’m sharing the story of how I turned my love for crafting into a thriving business. From hitting major milestones like consistent 10K months to pivoting into mentorship and workshops, it’s been a journey full of lessons, challenges, and rewarding moments.Tune in to hear about my passion for making crafting fun again, what inspires me to keep going, and how this podcast will bring you tips, inspiration, and actionable advice for your own creative journey. Stay tuned for an exciting lineup of episodes and grab your freebies to kickstart your crafting business today!In This Episode, You'll Learn:✎ How my crafting journey began and evolved into a successful business.✎ The challenges I faced and the lessons I learned along the way.✎ My vision for this podcast and how it’s designed to inspire and empower creatives.
Resources:Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop Business - craftymariana.com/guide
Links to Connect With Me:Website: craftymariana.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/craftymariana/ My Free Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftingcollective Join my email list for exclusive content, resources and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter
Let’s Make This Interactive! Have questions or topics you’d like me to cover in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or send an email to [email protected].
Welcome to The Crafty Mariana Podcast!
I’m your host Mariana, former corporate marketing girlie turned crafting workshops host.
If you’ve ever thought, ‘Can my crafts actually make money?’—this is the show for you.
Each episode, I share stories from creators who dared to think differently and went beyond the “make and sell’ model, along with lessons from my own journey building a six-figure workshop business.
You can expect honest conversations, tips and tricks about what it really takes to build a creative business.
Grab yourself a cup of tea and let's dive in!
Ireland