A St. George business called “Paint Nite” is celebrating its 100th event just months after launching. Paint Nite owner JJ Seare will celebrate her centesimal evening of “creative entertainment” with a special event at ‘Bout Time Pub & Grub on Wednesday, Aug. 31.
Paint Nite, which got its start in Boston in March 2012, brings people together in local bars and restaurants where they socialize and connect over food and drink while painting. The company currently hosts events in 1,700 cities worldwide in over 240 metropolitan markets in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, and Argentina. Worldwide, Paint Nite licensees present approximately 5,500 events each month, entertaining more than 180,000 would-be artists and other fun-seekers. On Aug. 17, Inc. Magazine named Paint Nite to the No. 2 spot on its 2016 “5,000 Fastest-Growing Companies in America” list, honoring Paint Nite for its 36,555 percent growth and $55 million in sales.
Seare, a St. George resident and former high-tech professional who bid adieu to the corporate world last year, is already seeing the kind of engagement and repeat business that few companies can expect in their first several years.
“The amount of growth that the greater St. George market has experienced in such a short amount of time is staggering,” noted Courtney Osgood, head of communications for Paint Nite. “What this says to us is that the market is extremely healthy, and that JJ is doing a phenomenal job on the ground with her marketing efforts. The fact that one-third of her attendees are repeat customers is further proof that JJ and her team are delivering on the exceptional experience that Paint Nite offers.”
Seare launched her business in December 2015 with weekly events alternating at a pair of local venues. Supported by a volunteer assistant, she initially delivered all of the painting instructions herself. Today, she hosts three to five events at nine venues each week, and has hired three additional artists as well as two paid assistants. Osgood, who closely monitors the reports from each member of Paint Nite’s international base of “Creative Entrepreneurs,” along with all comments on customer questionnaires and social media, attributes Seare’s more than 350 percent growth to the type of relaxed, festive atmosphere that Seare consistently creates.
“JJ and her team’s customer satisfaction score is off the chart,” Osgood said. “At the end of the day, our business is to entertain customers and provide them with a creative, social outlet that allows them to reignite that childhood bliss of playing and creating art. When we receive high ratings from our consumers, it means that our artists are doing their jobs.”
For Seare, the trajectory of her success has been largely unexpected.
“When I started this business I thought I’d be lucky to host two events a week,” Seare said. “But so many people have told me that Paint Nite is ‘like therapy’ for them; that it’s relaxing, it’s fun, and it gets them out of their regular day. I’ve always loved helping people, so this business really taps into that part of me.”
Virtually all of Seare’s events, which average 30 participants each, have been sold out, even during what is traditionally a slow time in St. George.
“No matter what age they are, people seem to be so excited about learning something new, or doing something they didn’t think they could do,” Seare said. “To see someone who’s never held a paintbrush before, and watch as they create something they’re happy to hang in their house, is so much better than I ever could have anticipated. In St. George we’re lucky have a lot of people who are willing to try something new, and have fun.”
As Seare’s customers share cake on Aug. 31, they will paint a piece called “Bubbly,” which depicts a celebratory bottle and beverage. Seare is delighted that the anniversary event will take place at ‘Bout Time Pub & Grub where she and Paint Nite made their St. George debut.
“The staff and crowd at ‘Bout Time are always super-friendly and outgoing, and they make sure every one of our events is a blast,” Seare said. “I’m really happy to celebrate our 100th event there; in a wonderful way we’ve all come full circle.”
More information about and tickets for Paint Nite are available at paintnite.com or the “Paint Nite St. George” Facebook page. First-time attendees will receive a 35 percent discount by using promo code “SUTAH.”
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