Sketching on a white canvas, junior Grace Fassler hand designs a canvas with a collage of personalized pictures for each customer. As an entrepreneur, Fassler faced challenges along the way, such as dealing with unresponsive customers. “Sometimes people message me wanting one and when I message them back, they leave me on seen. This irritated me because I didn’t know if I needed to get any supplies or save any,” Fassler said.
Grace Fassler
When the pandemic struck in March, so did boredom for junior Grace Fassler. To combat this, Fassler began her own business of selling custom canvases via Instagram.
“I could really use some money,” Fassler said. “I was sitting inside all day not putting myself to a lot of use. I had some canvases from a while ago and I decided to do something that fit everyone’s aesthetic.”
She ordered 10-by-10 canvases and printed out pictures to put on each. These pictures could include anything the customer liked such as certain phrases or quotes, favorite music artists or picture of themselves and their friends.
“I wish it were as easy as it sounds. Fitting everyone’s personal energy and showing that [energy] by pictures was challenging, but it caused me to be creative and productive,” Fassler said.
Fassler received about 40 orders from not only her friends, but people from all over the St. Louis area through her Instagram account.
“I started by making one for a friend of mine for free and for fun, but then it grew into something more when my other friends started noticing,” Fassler said. “It made me feel excited to get an order. I have always loved making things for people and making them happy so to be able to do that inside my home in a comfortable way made me really happy.”