Avant Palette, Margarette Johannes
Avant Palette has grown from Johannes doing all the work herself into a company with three locations across the United States. As many as 15 independent contractors on work residential, commercial, and government projects, and draft up to 20 major contracts each year.
With an honours fine arts degree from the University of California, San Diego, endless inspiration from the castles, museums, and churches of Europe, and real-world experience in creating sets for TV and movies, Margarette Johannes had everything it took to be a successful artist. But the business side of her work was another story. The idea of starting out was daunting – she didn’t know the first thing about financials, marketing, or business planning and didn’t know where to turn.
Luckily, her grandfather did. A former SCORE mentor, he directed Johannes to the place where she would gain all these skills and more.
Avant Palette has been creating extraordinary faux finishes and specialized textures for interior designers and discriminating home and business owners since 1995.
Mentor Paul Hollenbach helped Johannes gain the essential tools she would need to start and maintain her successful business. Business topics ranging from advertising to insurance, government contracts to financing options, were covered and equipped Johannes with the knowledge and confidence to proceed.
Johannes continues to meet with her SCORE mentor to brainstorm her company's continued growth.