Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Hoffmann.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was in my third year at Arizona State University when I got the call. Prior to that I had been a leading sales representative with 37 gift lines selling throughout the Chicagoland area. I loved talking with anyone and selling was just natural for me. In my early 20’s I had more confidence than ever, and it didn’t bother me one bit when potential customers said no. I just knocked on the next door feeling it would eventually happen, and it did!
Growing up in the western suburbs of Chicago, I always had a close relationship with my parents. My mom and dad had recently decided to follow their passion in the arts and open up a craft gallery. My father David was a psychologist and had his own outplacement firm, while my mother Jeanie was a registered nurse and social worker.
As a youngster, my parents would travel with my brothers and I to quaint towns and big cities to explore the scene and during those travels we would check out galleries and craft shows. We all enjoyed learning about the artists’ background, techniques and hearing about what inspired them to create their beautiful works. Every piece of art, jewelry or clothing purchased had a story behind it, and that was something special.
My parents opened their first craft gallery in Geneva IL. After their first year, my father asked me if I would move back to Chicago to open our first gallery in downtown Chicago. I was ecstatic and flew back that following week. My dad and I designed and built out almost everything. The three of us traveled to seek out new creative works and over time our dreams became reality. In just seven years we had six galleries in downtown Chicago.
Since 1985 we have opened 11 locations. Today, thirty years later, we have four downtown Arts & Artisans galleries.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I would love to say that these past 30 years have been smooth sailing, but that’s just not the case. In the beginning my parents and I had to establish a new working relationship. It wasn’t easy for my folks to go from being my parents to be my co-workers. Yeah there were some serious growing pains, arguments, and hurt feeling, but we worked it out and established boundaries, understood and respected each other’s positions and responsibilities, and we tried to stay focused on our own tasks, not each other’s.
As the buyer, it is always challenging to seek out new creative pieces at attractive price points. I travel several times a year always searching for new shows to make sure our collections excite customers from all over the world.
The economy also hasn’t been the most stable over the years. And we have had some hard times with months or years of construction and street closures, because we still have to pay rent and staff. The rents in the city have skyrocketed astronomically, and it has chased out all the small family businesses like ours. We are one of the only surviving independent shops left in downtown Chicago. In all, I feel proud and very fortunate that we have made it through everything for as long as we have.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Arts & Artisans – what should we know?
Arts & Artisans features primarily three dimensional American made tabletop and wall art, jewelry and wearables. We represent about 25% of local Chicago artists and provide artist biographies with purchases on most of our pieces. We cater to tourists, conventioneers, and our own local residence for gifts, decor, or just that special treasure someone must have.
Our gallery associates are knowledgeable and enjoy romancing the art with our customers. Most of our employees are students or graduates of the Art Institute of Chicago or have other art backgrounds.
We take pride in offering a fabulous variety of unique works such as blown and slumped glass, wood turnings and boxes, metal sculptures, ceramics, handmade paper creations, kaleidoscopes, lamps, stemware, picture frames, coasters, jewelry, accessories, clothing, handbags, and many other works with Chicago themes.
Our associates are very friendly and service-oriented. They work closely with our customers in finding the perfect piece for any occasion or space, even if it requires us to make a special order with an artist. Many of our collections have touching quotes to make a gift that much more sentimental or personalized. We also create custom corporate gifts and can specialize the work to their specifications.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I wouldn’t be here today without my parents. Well, that goes without saying, but they pushed me to be the person I am today and have been the backbone and brains of the business. Without them, there wouldn’t be any Arts & Artisans. They encouraged and mentored me to create the look and feel the galleries have today. They taught me how to keep overhead costs low, be cautious and yet take risks when necessary. They have been understanding through my mistakes and have always believed in me.
Thomas Boland gave me my first big career as a sales representative and taught me so much about networking, and selling. He was my mentor and he still amazes me when he is in action on the showroom floor working it.
I couldn’t be more grateful for my awesome staff who are a direct extension of our company. They are my eyes and ears and give me their input on anything and everything. I am always asking their opinion and advice on what’s selling well and what they want to see more of.
I have had a few amazing employees that I am extremely grateful to have had in my employ: Karoline Menacher Deutshmann, Francesco Bilotto, and one who is currently the manager of all our gallery associates, Heather Nichols. These three have been very instrumental in visually merchandising the galleries and windows, working exceptionally with customers, as well as assisting me to buying shows. Their creative input, hard work, and wonderful friendship will always be remembered and appreciated.
The galleries wouldn’t be able to run smoothly without our office and warehouse staff. There is never a dull moment behind the scenes. This is where we receive all the work before it goes to the galleries, and where we store all the supplies and inventory. It is where we pay bills and shoot image of the artwork for our website. The office manager that I would very much like to thank is Jael Bernabe for her loyalty, ability to multi-task, handle any situation smoothly, and for her excellent work ethic.
Contact Info:
- Address: Arts & Artisans Four Downtown Locations: 321 N. Michigan Avenue, 720 S. Michigan Avenue ( Inside Chicago Hilton and Towers), 700 W. Madison ( Inside Ogilvie Transportation Center, 35 E. Wacker Drive.
- Website: artsartisans.com
- Phone: 312-541-1951
- Email: artsartisans@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artsartisans/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/arts-and-artisans-chicago-2?osq=Arts+%26+Artisans
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
