We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyssia Leggett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyssia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I worked in marketing for 18 years before starting my own business. During that time, I got to see so many different sides of the business; loving some parts more than others. After having two children, I was constantly torn between work and being a mom. When I was working, I felt like I should be with my girls. When I was with my girls, I felt guilty that I wasn’t working. Ultimately, I decided that I really wanted to find something I could do with a more flexible schedule and wouldn’t tie me to a desk. Thinking about the parts of marketing that I liked best, and my long time love of art, I created Jenner McGinn Studio and launched my web-based art gallery in 2018.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Jenner McGinn Studio is a web-based gallery that represents contemporary artists from across the country. One way my business is differentiated from other galleries is that artists keep a larger percentage of each sale. Because I don’t have a lot of overhead with a physical space and the expenses that come along with that, I have the flexibility to give artists a bigger piece of the pie and I love that! I’m also proud to have art education as a part of my business model. While I represent the work of today’s contemporary artists, I hold art workshops (and created Art Boxes as workshops-to-go since workshops are currently on hold) to give children the ability to try new mediums, learn new creative techniques and develop a love of the arts. Lastly, my partnerships with Interior Designers have been a great way to support other small businesses. Through those partnerships we have donated a portion of sales to charities and organizations in need. Having a charitable giving element to my business is very important – putting art to work to do good for others!

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
When I have visitors in town, I have several favorite parts of Atlanta to take them. I love the Westside and Ponce City Market for shopping (and food!). We often head to restaurants in Historic Roswell or my neighborhood of Sandy Springs…some of my favorites are Gracious Plenty for breakfast and Table & Main, Rumi’s and Brooklyn Cafe for dinner. And, as a big coffee fan, Crazy Love in Roswell is another great spot. I also love to drive visitors through neighborhoods and look at homes…especially around Peachtree Battle and Chastain Park. If we have time, it’s fun to head south to Serenbe for a change of scenery – I love the architecture, the sustainability of the community, and the departure from the hustle & bustle.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give a shoutout to the artists who took a chance on me. When I approached the first group of artists to come along on this adventure with me, none of whom I knew personally, all I had was a plan for how I envisioned to build my business. I am so thankful to the artists that put their trust in me and said YES, which allowed me to create Jenner McGinn Studio. The specific artists who I still work with today, and am so grateful for, are Carrie Megan, Laurie Fisher, Corrie Inman, Jessica Magee, Heather Jones, Ellen Sherman, Heather Essian and Langford Barksdale. I have also added seven more artists to the gallery since the initial launch, now representing work from fifteen incredible contemporary artists from across the country.

Website: www.jennermcginnstudio.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennermcginnstudio/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssialeggett/

Image Credits
Maura Roberts, Laurie Fisher, Stoffer Photography Interiors

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