The 2009 American Glass Guild Conference
July 16-20, 2009
Buffalo, New York
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Barbara Krueger, Don Samick, Ardra Hartz, Karen Langille
Panel Discussion
If I Started My Stained Glass Business
Today, Things I Would Do Differently
Many of us came into stained glass somewhat
through the back door, so to speak. We took some
classes, got interested, asked by friend and/or
relative to make a piece or two and first thing
you know….there was a “business.” Here are some
questions to think about if you want to start a
stained glass business today.
Do you want a commercial studio that seeks large
projects from religious organizations and
architects? You would need to:
- Studio - obtain space in a building zoned for industry (buy or lease)
- Business plan - marketing, staff, sales projection, advertising plan, cost projection, inventory, insurance, health care, OSHA standards.
- Financial feasibility - start up capital, line of credit, accountant, lawyer, bank
Do you want a retail studio which caters to hobbyists and homeowners, teaches classes and sells supplies. You would need to:
- Obtain building in retail location
- Devise a business plan (as above)
- Determine financial feasibility
- Obtain start-up capital, line of credit, credit cards, lawyer, accountant, etc.
Or, do you want to be an independent
stained-glass artist?
If you work at your home, should you work in the
basement or have a separate
working space/studio set up with more adequate
air quality, safety and light.
- How do you get insurance for a home operated business?
- How do you get a sales tax license in your state?
- What is the best way to keep track of expenses, and
- How do you price a job?
- Do you know how to get into art fairs; can you do a 3-4 day outdoor show?
- Can you hire a professional photographer or photograph your own work?
- How to say NO if a job comes along that is over your head?
Whatever the plan, some questions you need to answer are:
- What are the goals of the business?
- How many hours are you willing to put into the business?
- How should the studio/store be set up in the most useful and efficient manner?
- Have you talked to your peers? Visited other studios?
- Is your spouse behind you?
We have found it helpful to remember:
- Find a mentor or two that you can go to with any question that arises
- There is wisdom in an abundance of counselors
- Read voraciously
- Be fearless
- It is OK to learn as you go
- Trust what you DO know
- Learn constantly
- Have total clarity on your weakest areas and work aggressively to strengthen them
- Find help if necessary in those areas
- Set aside some time for your own creative refreshment so that you can recharge
- Running a business can consume you
- Attend AGG and similar conferences every year
These and many other aspects of starting a
stained glass business will be discussed in a
roundtable format with our august panel and
audience participation.
We envision compiling a workbook/outline on “how
to start a stained glass business” and making it
available on the AGG web site.
About Barbara Krueger
A native Californian, Barbara Krueger lives Michigan and has been involved in several aspects of stained glass for over 25 years. A former elementary school teacher, she was on the art fair circuit selling her original stained glass pieces before returning to college to get an art degree. After 2 years in the art program of Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI that included many art history classes, serendipitously she took a class that was an introduction to historic preservation, switched her major and finally in 1995 graduated with a MS in historic preservation.
A 20+ year member of the Stained Glass Association of America, she was on the Board of Directors in several positions, chaired the 1992 Chicago conference, was co-editor of The SGAA Reference and Technical Manual and even had a short stint as the Executive Administrator. For 12 years she has been a Research Assistant (that means volunteer) with the Michigan Stained Glass Census organized under the auspices of Michigan State University Museum; there are now over 1200 buildings, mostly churches, that have registered their stained glass windows. http://www.museum.msu.edu/museum/msgc/
For several years Barbara has been making condition reports for Michigan churches that are in need of impartial information about the condition of their stained glass windows. In addition, she has lectured at many statewide gatherings on “The Art and Architecture of Stained Glass” utilize her own photos from Europe as well as interesting situations from around the US and Michigan.
Barbara is now volunteering in the statewide program “New Dollars/New Partners for Sacred Places” sponsored by Partner for Sacred Places in Philadelphia and Michigan Historic Preservation Network.
She is also partnering with several people on a book about historic Detroit churches, which will be published by Wayne State University Press in the fall of 2009.
About Don Samick
Donald Samick joined Lamb Studios in 1964 as an architectural draftsman working with architect George de Ris in the interior design department. Shortly thereafter, he spent two years in the glass studio learning all the facets of the stained glass craft from assisting the artists to installing windows. He later returned to the office where he took up estimating, design and sales work. In 1970, he assumed ownership after Karl Lamb died and the fourth generation of the Lamb family decided not to continue on with the business.
His education is in business, art and architecture. He completed the Dale Carnegie course and studied in England social relations and organizational development. These courses and other studies, based on the indications of the Austrian philosopher, Rudolf Steiner, had a great influence on Don’s personal and business life.
His mercurial role between the artist and client has been a powerful force in the realization of successful commissions. He believes that there is artistic talent in everyone and that his responsibility is to assist in bringing this expression to life from the patron to the artist.
Don has written several articles for Stained Glass, Faith and Form and Your Church magazines. He designs church interiors, columbaria, and modern stained glass. His interest in stained glass has led him to lecture on the history of stained glass and how a stained glass window is made.
His wife Donna and he work in the studio located in Clifton, New Jersey. Working with independent artists from the United States, England, Canada and Switzerland brings some of the finest talent in the world into the studio. The craftspeople are a dedicated international group who bring many talents to the craft.
He looks forward to the next 150 years.
About Ardra Hartz
Click here to read about Ardra, who is also doing a presentation with Sister Diane Couture entitled Art Glass Tour of the Southeast Quadrant.
