Conversations with Dell Ann Upp

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dell Ann Upp

Hi Dell Ann, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started my career in Marketing after graduating college from Oklahoma State University. After working in the marketing industry for 8+ years I decided to open my first business in Manhattan, KS. This business was called Straight Upp Creative Studio and focused on paint your own pottery and paint/sip events. Planning events became a signifigant portion of this business and I grew into a secondary company called Supply Event Rentals & Design. This company was a very successful event rental and event planning company. After a few years this company grew into servicing much of Kansas and Missouri and required us to relocate to Kansas City. I sold the company in 2021 and was planning to take some time off. My 13 year old daughter came to me with a business idea for a DIY Craft Studio that served milkshakes and the idea for Creative Culture was born. Creative Culture’s first location was in Westport, KCMO and we created a special place for people to come and express their creativity with an ever-changing menu of crafts. We have 8 signature milkshake flavors. My daughter still helps open each studio and we brainstorm craft ideas. This little idea quickly grew into 5 studios across the country.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Creative Culture has been a journey. 3 weeks after signing my lease, Covid hit and the entire business model had to change to survive the pandemic. We moved forward with our orginal plan for opening and implemented to-go and mail craft kits that offered our projects to people to do at home. This change helped us stay on schedule for opening by pivoting and the KC market supported us and Creative Culture was born. By the time we were able to open our doors we had a following due to our covid craft kits.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a entrepreneur I have found that staying relevant is imperative to success. Always changing and adapting to trends and the market is necessary to stay top of mind to customers and to have an edge on competitors. I believe Creative Culture is a concept that I developed that I could always change and adapt to new creative trends and not get stuck in a specific medium. I am so proud of Creative Culture and knowing I built something with my daughter and it was an experience we will never forget. I am also extremely proud of the experience we are offering to the community and encouraging people to get out of their comfort zone by creating and developing memories with their friends an families. I love the wholesomeness of the concept and providing a family-friendly activity for all ages.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think entrunership in total is a complete risk. Every business I have opened has been a risk and success has no guarantee. I consider myself a conservative risk taker, meaning I always play out worse case senerios going into any business venue and making sure I feel comfortable with the worst-case. I know that my work ethic and determination makes the risk reduced because I know I am willing to work however hard is necessary to succeed. I have learned over the years that you have to be fluid in your concept and develop based on the customer. If you need to adjust a concept, you have to do that to be successful. I also find myself scaling my business. Start small and grow based on your success and customer needs.

Pricing:

• Average pricing per project $25-$45
• Milkshakes $14

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.creativeculturediy.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/creativeculturediy
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/creativeculturediy