Hidden Gems: Meet Niccole Jackson of Wine & Design Franklin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Niccole Jackson. 

Hi Niccole, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I came to middle Tennessee by way of Nebraska, having spent two decades in corporate America as a Chemical Engineer and HR Leader before investing in the Wine & Design Franchise. 

Shortly after I relocated to the area, I was offered a different position which would have required me to travel a great deal or move. At that point, I decided to leave corporate America to focus on my daughter. My daughter is dyslexic and the middle Tennessee area offered the educational services that she needed. It was the right place for us. So, I began to look for a business that my daughter and I could do together. I was looking for one that would allow my daughter to be creative and learn about her own talents and strengths without someone defining them for her.

I looked at it as an opportunity for her to build and grow. 

Since opening the business, we have discovered that she is great with children. The business has also really helped her step out of her shell. She now teaches several classes at the studio. Additionally, she recently finished high school and started college this fall majoring in early childhood education. She also began working at a local daycare center to get some hands-on experience.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not always been a smooth road. When I initially opened, I was mainly attracting people from outside of the studios’ immediate areas, but could not figure out how to consistently attract the local market. I tried social media, marketing on TV screens in local businesses, print advertising, participating in local events, etc. It was like trying to hit a moving target. I eventually had to bring in resources to help me really figure out my demographics and how to market my business. 

However, that really pales in comparison to 2020. The most challenging part of the journey occurred during the beginning of the pandemic. I had to temporarily shut down both of my brick-and-mortar studios. Once we were permitted to reopen, we had to reopen with reduced capacity. This presented several challenges since we are a party/group destination space. I essentially would be paying for 2 spaces that I could not use. There was no way to sustain keeping both spaces open long term (without an end in sight for the pandemic). I made the decision to shut down 1 location and to pivot my business into the virtual space.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Wine & Design offers a wide range of affordable private and public paint and sip parties for all ages, groups (team building), and skill levels. From birthday parties to couples’ nights, mobile events to private classes. Wine & Design also offers virtual events and take-home kits. Wine & Design will turn your next party into a memorable celebration. Just bring your friends or significant other and enjoy a glass of wine during one of our classes – we’ll bring the paint and the fun!

Wine & Design offers Art Buzz Kids events that will spark your child’s creativity and imagination in a fun, interactive setting. Our passion is art and inspiring children to have fun, get creative, and feel proud of their work! We provide everything for your child’s painting party (or play date), and your child will always take home a masterpiece. 

Wine & Design’s Paint it Forward program provides a great way to raise money and bring awareness to any cause. We work with you to deliver private or public painting parties and then donate a portion of those proceeds back to local or national organizations. The larger your event, the more we give back! 

Wine & Design On Wheels (mobile) program brings the art buzz to you! Instead of hosting a paint and sip party at our studio, we partner with local businesses to offer fun and creative painting parties at your favorite venues. We can even come to your home! 

Wine & Design gives you the opportunity to explore your painting skills through any medium. Wine & Design offers a variety of media (canvas, wood pallets, door hangers, tote bags, glassware, Chunky blankets, and more). Our classes cover the spectrum of creative possibilities. 

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Agility and adaptability are important in business. 

1) It is important for the leader to operate with agility and adaptability. It is important for the leader to do a formal/informal SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis. This gives them insight into how their business/product compares with the trending market and competition. 

2) It’s important to have the right team. A business needs a team that is comfortable embracing and driving change. 

3) A business should also be comfortable embracing and adapting to change. A business should always seek to improve and get better. 

4) It is also important to deliver and be okay with meeting customers’ needs differently than in the past. 

This is very evident with the pandemic. Businesses have to quickly adapt and leverage agility in order to survive and thrive. 

Pricing:

• Art Buzz Kids Classes / Parties $15 – $29 pp
• Public Canvas Painting Class: $37-$40 pp
• Team building: $40 – $55 pp; Add-ons available beginning at $5 pp
• Wood projects: $40 – $80
• Chunky Blankets: $75-$85; additional materials available for purchase during class

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.wineanddesign.com/franklin
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/wndfranklintn
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/wndfranklintn
• Other: www.linktr.ee/wndfranklintn