We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mandy Madsen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Mandy with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I grew up with parents that were always encouraging and helped foster my love for creativity and hard work. We moved a lot due to my dad’s career, but when I was 10 we landed in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and stayed there until I graduated high school. We had a Christmas tree and hobby farm that took work to maintain; my siblings and I became great at weeding around trees and caring for our menagerie of animals! It was a family effort and to this day, I credit it for a big part of why I enjoy working hard and seeing goals met (sometimes with a lot of sweat on my brow). I started working jobs outside of the farm at 14 and haven’t stopped. Every job has had challenges and rewards; those experiences have shaped me as a human being and small business owner.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have loved art for as long as I can remember. Whether it is art hanging on a wall or paging through illustrations in a book, it has and continues to, intrigue me. I enjoy creating my own art and sketch all the time. I started painting in my 20’s and have continued now into my 40’s. I am blessed with a career that fulfills so many areas of passion for me- artist, framer, and business owner.
I have owned Frameworks Gallery, a custom frame shop & art gallery, for almost 7 years now. When I began working at Frameworks about 12 years ago, I was a part time employee working with customers and fitting projects in the back. I knew it was a perfect fit and went full time shortly after starting. I devoted great effort into learning all I could about framing and promoting artists through the gallery. My manager at the time, Pam, was a great teacher and taught me many of the techniques I use today. There’s a lot of creative problem solving involved in this field, and the word “boring” will never describe a work day for me.
My team of employees and I have spent countless hours at my shop, framing and doing all we can to please our customers. Giving a professional, yet personal and heartfelt experience to each person is my goal, along with providing a high quality product. It keeps me going to know that I can potentially bring a bit of light and positivity to someone’s day. It’s a frame shop and art gallery, but it’s more than that… it’s an opportunity to show each customer that they’re valued and appreciated.
The gallery provides local artists the opportunity to exhibit and sell their work in person and online. We have receptions every 6-8 weeks and invite the community to join us in celebrating and supporting these talented, hard working individuals. Minnesota is full of talent! I am always honored to be a part of helping an artist on their journey. We host solo exhibits, small groups and larger group shows, including the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota and Minnesota Artists Association. As much as I love sharing and selling my own creations, nothing compares to the joy it brings me to promote the work of other artists.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Perseverance, humility and trusting God in all circumstances.
Being aware of what I was naturally passionate about (art, creativity) helped me determine my career path, but it meant hard work and taking risks. I could have passed at the opportunity to purchase my business, but I decided to not live in fear and go for it. It is hard and demanding at times, but it’s also exciting and rewarding.
I’ve had to ask for help at times, and whether it’s business or personal, I usually have a hard time asking. Being humble and recognizing that most of us need others for support, guidance and whatever else life requires, is not only okay, it’s a good thing. I’ve learned that there are people in my life that truly care and take joy in being a part of my journey. Don’t be afraid to ask.
I pray a lot, not just at a specific time, but throughout my day. I seek God and ask for guidance. I listen. When I bought my shop, so many things lined up perfectly and unexpectedly; I knew I needed to do it and had peace about it. I continue to seek and trust in all that I do, regardless of my circumstances.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
2023 was our busiest year to date with sales, projects and my freelance art career and 2024 is continuing this trajectory. I credit this to several factors, including better targeted marketing through direct mailers and social media platforms; an overall surge in the industry; and a reputation for being good to our customers and providing a great end result. I continue to take advantage of tools like our online gallery and have shipped out over 100 paintings across the world in the last 12 months.
It is satisfying to see this type of creative industry thriving and know that the hard work and dedication is worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.frameworks-gallery.com
www.mandymadsenart.com - Instagram: @frameworksmn @mandymadsen_creates
