Local Business Profile
Your name: Lauren McDonough
Company name: LAM Pet Portraits
Your position: Founder and artist
Website: www.lampetportraits.com
Business address: lauren.mcdonough@comcast.net
Ways to get in contact with business: Email. Directions on how to order a portrait are on the homepage of my website!
Tell us about your business and what it does.
LAM Pet Portraits creates a custom, hand-painted depiction of a special pet in your life, striving to capture its unique essence on a canvas.
How long have you lived in the area and been running the business?
I have lived in Westfield for my whole life, and I created my business in freshman year, four years ago.
What is the business’ goal?
I strive to create meaningful work and evoke positive emotions from pet-lovers nationwide. To me, there is nothing more impactful than receiving a heartwarming message about how excited a family is that their pet’s personality has been captured, or how I helped bring life to a person’s late pet and comfort to the grieving owner. I want to positively impact as many individuals and families as I can by bringing their pet’s aura to life with paint and a canvas, using my artistic ability to create joy.
How long has it been a business?
Since 2019.
How did you decide on this industry (events that led up to where you are now, etc.)?
I have been painting ever since I could hold a brush, and I am an avid pet-lover, but not an owner myself. So, the next best thing is to paint others’ furry friends! Creating art is my favorite pastime, along with working with people. The idea of my business came about when I painted my friend’s dog as a birthday gift, and upon being posted on social media, I learned that many people would want similar portraits of their pets. I published a business website and designed business cards, and soon, through word of mouth, LAM Pet Portraits quickly took flight.
What were some of the challenges you faced starting this business?
My business workload picked up speed very rapidly, and I faced a level of demand I never had before — just in time for the 2020 holiday season. I had to focus on and improve my time management and effective communication skills, and now I have an efficient system and limit for how many portraits I accept at a time. Lesson learned!
What makes your business unique?
I make a point to really engage with each client to ensure I truly captured their pet’s essence and perfected the smallest of details that are important to a pet owner. It’s not every day you stumble upon a local artist with a strong attention to detail and presentation (featuring doorstep delivery in a custom gift bag!) who has a passion for depicting our most-loved creatures in a unique, lifelike, stylized fashion.
How can others learn from your commitment and inspiration? What’s most important to success?
I think what is most important to take away from my experience as an entrepreneur is that an aspiring small business owner should never dismiss an idea, no matter how small. Work off of what you are passionate about: For me, it was painting and animals (and making people smile!). Jump at every opportunity that comes your way, be thankful and appreciative to those who help you, and stay determined, because you will feel overwhelmed at times. This feeling can be harnessed to build up life skills! Do what you love, and chances are, others will love it too.
Anything else?
I intend to pursue studio art as a minor in college. I am an assistant teacher at South Avenue Arts, to spread my love for art to the children of our community.