After 22 years as an art teacher, Jennifer MacRobbie was ready for something different. She didn’t want to leave creativity behind — just bring it into a space that felt more like her own. So she called her sister, Christine Martel, a preschool teacher with a creative streak of her own, and asked: “Want to do this with me?” Martel didn’t need much convincing.

Together, they started building Gotta Have Heart Studio — a welcoming 1,600-square-foot space at Park Plaza in Severna Park, Maryland, which opened this summer. The studio offers arts programming for kids, adults, seniors and even local businesses.

Here, MacRobbie and Martel share with ICSC Small Business Center contributing editor Rebecca Meiser about how they transformed their idea into a physical space, the challenges of learning the business side, how they balance working as sisters and what success looks like for their creative venture.

What was your vision for Gotta Have Heart?

MacRobbie: We want people to come in, not worry about anything and just relax while creating their own vision of art. I wasn’t one of those art teachers who pre-cut everything or hovered over the kids saying: “That’s not how you do it.” I’d give them an example, show them how I’d do it, and explain that everyone’s work is going to look different.

That’s the same idea we want here. We want people to be creative, express their own vision and feel like this is a comforting, relaxing space. We want people to feel at home — to come in, forget everything else and just create.

Why was Park Plaza the right fit for your studio?

MacRobbie: The traffic. We’re right in the middle of Severna Park, and it’s busy from morning till night. That was a big factor, along with having an open space.

Martel: It’s a very high-traffic area. When this spot became available, we just knew it was meant to be.

What were the biggest steps you had to take to turn the idea into reality?

MacRobbie: We had to make sure our families were okay with it, because this is a big deal. Right now, we’re putting in long hours every single day. The first year or so is going to be pretty rough. But luckily everyone is super supportive.

How did you approach financing the business?

MacRobbie: My husband and I are handling that. We had a big sit-down conversation: “Can we do this? Will we be okay?” The beginning years are going to be the hardest. We’re buying and creating everything. Money is flying out right now and we’re not bringing anything in yet. But my husband keeps saying: “We got this. Do your thing and we’ll be totally fine.”

What has it been like to learn the business side as first-time owners?

MacRobbie: We’re still learning. We tell everyone — literally every day — that we’re figuring this out as we go. Sometimes we look at people and say: “We have no idea ... can you explain this to us?” Or we ask a million questions and then say: “Sorry about that!”

I can do any kind of art and get people of all ages excited because I get excited. But the business side? We just look at each other and say: “One day at a time. We’ve got this.”

Martel: Doing it together is huge. Some days I’m frazzled and she’s calm, and other days it’s the opposite.

Who guided you as you figured things out?

MacRobbie: One day my mom was like: “Have you ever heard of [nonprofit small business mentoring organization] SCORE?” I had no idea what she was talking about. I Googled it, and that’s where it all started. That’s where we met our mentor, Richard Rose. God bless him. He walked us through the business plan step-by-step. I’m not a numbers person, but we got through it. Richard really helped us figure out things like forecasting and budgets, and we hope he’ll come see the studio.

What’s it like working together?

Martel: We work well together because we balance each other out. We look at each other and just know how the other is feeling.

MacRobbie: I’m more vocal and get frustrated easily. I’m the one who says: “Let’s get this done,” and I like my lists. She’s more chill and goes with the flow. I’m glad we’re doing this together. She’s a huge support.

How are you getting the word out about the studio?

MacRobbie: We do a lot on social media. We have someone helping us with marketing, and we also joined the Chamber of Commerce. Word of mouth has been great, too. We went back to our schools and put flyers everywhere. Some of our students have already signed up for classes. We’re hoping [as] people come for classes or open studio they’ll help spread the word, too.

What advice would you give other creatives who want to start a business?

MacRobbie: If you’re passionate about it, just do it. If we can get through it, so can you. You just have to find the right people to guide and support you.

What does success look like for each of you?

MacRobbie: Doors always rotating, people coming in. But more than that, people wanting to come back because they enjoy it. They like the atmosphere. They like us as people and teachers.

Martel: And that they feel like this is their space, too.