Sophia Moon said the fundamental business skills she learned while earning her MBA gave her “an extra boost” in founding Essem Art Studio.
It doesn't matter if you're 3, 13 or 30. Everyone needs a creative outlet.
Sophia Moon knew this when she opened Essem Art Studio in 2018, a Boston studio that offers programs for artists of all ages.
Moon is an artist herself. She started her singing career after spending her days in marketing for banks and telecommunications companies. She was driven to get her MBA in order to combine her marketing and music experience and get into brand management.
But after graduating from Northeastern University's D'Amore McKim School of Business with a master's degree in business administration, she decided she wanted to do something different, especially after having her daughter.
“When I was in the third trimester of my pregnancy, I vividly remember my daughter saying, “There's no way I could just go to a recording studio and stay there for eight hours at the time, writing songs until 2 or 3 a.m.'' ''' Moon said. “That lifestyle just didn't fit with where I wanted to go. I remember panicking, getting super pregnant, and deciding there was nothing else I could do to be creative. .”
Moon decided to dive into the visual arts, took painting classes, and created so many pieces that his house was filled with them. She decided she needed her space, a studio not just for herself, but to share with the community.
Originally, Moon had the idea of running a studio that would serve as a collaborative space for other creators. But when that didn't work out, she started hosting art classes for young children. From there, Essem Art Studio has grown into something for all creators of all ages.
“I wanted to do something fun in my community,” Moon said. “I wanted to create a program that I had never seen before, and it was an art studio for kids. I started dabbling more in my visual arts as well, and… I wanted a space where I could create and have space.”
Although signing a lease for studio space was a risk, Moon says the fundamental business skills he learned during his MBA gave him “an extra boost” to pivot his plans to create a successful business. he said.
“It's easy to tell people to get an MBA. Then you can become the next executive at a Fortune 500 company,” Mun said. “There's something to be said about getting an MBA and starting your own business. It doesn't have to be a big thing. It can be big or it can be small.”
Today, Essem Art Studio is a community hub in the Boston suburb of Charlestown, offering programs for everyone from infants to seniors.
“The theme of this story is like when something goes wrong, you turn around,” Moon said. “I realized I wasn't having much luck finding fellow creators. So I pivoted and started hosting classes, and they really took off.”
Essem Art Studio offers studio programs for children ages 15 months to 7 years and older, catering to all needs from sensory arts to budding artists. The studio hosts art nights and pottery classes for adults, as well as mini-summer camps exploring materials such as pottery and clay. Mr. Moon teaches all courses himself. Each week has a different theme (e.g. flowers) for projects tailored based on age group.
“I think there are places where you can go where the stakes are low, where you have paper, you have paint in front of you, and you can just get back in touch with the parts of yourself that interest you. That's empowering.” Moon said. “Whether it's a toddler or an adult living a corporate life, I believe that all humans are inherently creative. It's up to you whether you express it or not, and how much you express it.” It's up to you, but it's worth making creative choices and feeling like you're actually in control.”
