Mike Wills, Jr. is a New York City entrepreneur, finding success in leveraging evolving technologies and societal shifts. Wills is currently the CEO of Paint and Sip LIVE, the premier entertainment virtual Paint and Sip company that features live DJs and theme nights. The company launched its service in June 2020 with just three employees; now, it hires 19. About 10,000 people have partied with Paint and Sip LIVE thus far. Barely a year old, Paint and Sip LIVE has hosted 3,000 private parties, from corporate events for Fortune 500 companies and non-profits to private birthday parties. Wills’ enterprising efforts elevate his businesses to the next level. He has overseen tremendous monthly revenue growth at Paint and Sip LIVE, from $450 in its first month to six figures six months later.
What is Paint and Sip LIVE all about?
Paint and Sip Live is a virtual paint and sip company that evolved amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We missed all of our usual socializing ways, like concerts and shows and just gathering with our friends to have fun. We figured our feelings were not outliers and that many others felt the same way. We created Paint and Sip LIVE as an outlet. Our classes are virtual and led by professional instructors, allowing anyone to enjoy painting from anywhere. And to give it that party feels, live DJs spin during the classes. Each month we host themed featured events, such as Hip Hop Saturday, Latin Night, Paint and Praise, or Family Night. All painting supplies are shipped directly to our partiers. All they have to do is turn on their computer and have fun.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company?
I am an entrepreneur. I’ve always preferred managing my own business and time instead of working for someone else. Since 2012 I’ve launched three successful companies: a cleaning service, credit repair company, and now Paint and Sip LIVE. I co-founded Paint and Sip LIVE with partners who felt a deep connection to our company’s product and purpose, to deliver joy through music and art when people missed live events and spending time with their family friends due to social distancing.
What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
Calm, thoughtful demeanor: I don’t get worked up about things. Let’s say I notice a problem arises with a customer. I stay very calm, relaxed. There is nothing they’re complaining about that can’t be handled. Even if it’s a stressful situation, I’m able to calm down, take a look, and figure out a solution.
Determination: The greatest lesson I’ve learned is never to be comfortable. There’s always going to be a new company in your space looking to take your spot. Always push yourself if you want your business to expand and remain competitive.
Strong work ethic: You have to use your time wisely. If you have another job and plan on starting a business, that means your lunch breaks and your usual TV and hobby time are gone for a while. The company needs more work than your 9 to 5. Eventually, it will pay off. You just have to grind it out until that happens.
What are your plans for the future? How do you plan to grow this company?
I envision us as the go-to activity for birthdays, corporate events, and virtual parties. I also imagine us booking even bigger acts than we already have. The goal is for Paint and Sip LIVE to be the world’s largest virtual paint and sip company. We are also considering opening a physical venue in the future to complement our virtual feature.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
We host multiple featured events every weekend, set with a live instructor and live DJ. We also host private parties any day of the week and at any time. Some people call, and their concern is that a remote party will be boring. They just want a fun event as close to a fun in-person party as possible. That’s precisely what this is. People will leave feeling like they had a good time, and that is the goal.
Paint and Sip LIVE recently launched a 24/7 unlimited painting package that includes a live class every two hours. No other paint and sip company offers live painting instruction 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The unlimited package also includes pre-recorded classes that customers can paint along to at any time that suits them.
Tell us a little bit about your marketing process; what has been the most successful marketing for you?
We’ve leaned heavily on social media to reach our audience. Paint and Sip LIVE was created to entertain people during the pandemic. At the start, the only obstacle was convincing people that a virtual event can be just as fun as an in-person event. We’ve done an excellent job showing that through social media marketing and leveraging popular acts and DJs to entice people to try us out.
What have been your biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?
Our parties’ demand grew so fast that it was challenging to keep up with class bookings, organizing and shipping painting kits, scheduling DJs and painters, and administrative duties. Some days I forgot to eat because I was so busy and overwhelmed. Growth is a good problem, of course, but if I did not want the company to suffer, I needed to readjust how I approached my day-to-day. I could no longer overwhelm myself by having my hands in so many pots. I leaned more on my partners for support, and together we worked around the clock. I realized that I had to take a step back because I can’t do it all, and I shouldn’t do it all.
What was your first business idea, and what did you do with it?
My first real business idea I had that sort of took off was JuniorU. com. It was a social network I had way back in the day. It was like Facebook meets Blackboard for elementary to high school students, their parents, and teachers. I developed it while in college and even had partners overseas. My school even provided incubator space, replete with an office and receptionist. Junior U failed, unfortunately. We tried to do too much too soon and were too focused on every little feature. I should have focused on one element and doubled down on that instead of having a million different features. I still apply the lessons of that venture to my current businesses.
What are the top 3 online tools and resources you’re currently using to grow your company?
Slack is a great communication tool that helps out a lot because we have employees in the US and internationally. It’s easy to access and navigate as we communicate within units and interdepartmentally. Slack is the best; I use the platform across all of my businesses.
We use Zoom for our Paint and Sip LIVE parties. It is easy for our clients to navigate. Most of our customers are familiar with the app, and those that are not finding it relatively easy to access our parties through Zoom. The video and sound quality through Zoom is also good. All three factors are why we stick with Zoom and why it’s helped our business grow as a top virtual art and entertainment provider.
For our accounting, we find Bench is ideal right now for keeping up productivity because I am not tied down with accounting, too. Bench is a bookkeeping app that assigns you a bookkeeper. You can pretty much check on your finances at any time, and your accounting is always up to date.
What helps you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business?
My family. I feel like I see my kids way more than I would if I had a regular 9 to 5. Because I can set my schedule, for example, work early in the morning or late at night, I’m available for them. I can go to every one of their events and activities. To them, I’m always around even if I’m working. I’m sure they appreciate having this much access to me.
What valuable advice would you give new entrepreneurs starting out?
Just start! Waiting for everything to be perfect before you launch is a mistake. There are enough courses, forums, and videos that will help you every step of the way. Every question you have has been answered time and time again. If you have a business idea and there’s a remote option for it, just launch it.
Lack of funding is a hurdle, but many businesses can be started with little or no funding at all. Once you have a proven track record of some type of growth, you’ll have more complete access to funding and loans. Start your business and figure out where you can get your first customers. Do a fantastic job, and you’ll get more through reviews and word of mouth.
How can readers get in touch with you?
You can find us at PaintAndSipLIVE.com. And follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and finally TikTok @paintandsiplive.
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