During a visit to Cedar City for Thanksgiving in 2013, Nick Froyd realized he had forgotten his art supplies. He searched and shopped, but couldn’t find adequate supplies anywhere in Cedar City. Thus, the idea for an art supply store was born. Froyd had worked for years as an employee and in management for several different corporations. He reached the conclusion that the owners of those businesses aren’t smarter than everyone else; they just dared to take a risk. That’s when Froyd decided it was time to move back to Cedar City, take a risk and make his dream a reality.
Earlier this year, Joni Anderson and Craig Isom of the Cedar City Small Business Development Center nominated Froyd for the SBA Utah Small Business Person of the Year. After a panel met, Color Country Art Supply was selected as the Utah Rural Small Business of the Year.
Froyd met with Isom and Anderson in March of 2014. They helped Froyd with his business plan and financial projections and connected him to the local arts council, where he was able to survey the artist community. They also helped him with inventory projections, location brainstorming, marketing suggestions and packaging his loan to present to the bank.
After a year of planning and research, Froyd opened the doors of his new business, Color Country Art Supply, on Nov. 10, 2014. From paints to brushes, canvases to easels, framing to educational tools, Color Country Art Supply carries everything an artist needs. There is also space available in the store for art workshops.
Froyd said the best part about being an entrepreneur and having his own business is that it’s like going to play every day instead of going to work. He encourages entrepreneurs to find a mentor, do the research and be as involved in their local community as possible. He plans to continue to utilize the resources available through the Cedar City SBDC as his new business grows. The company’s website is www.colorcountryart supply.com.