No Running with Scissors

No Running with Scissors

Searching within herself, Joan found that artistic child with an entrepreneurial-Spirit that guided her as a woman to pursue a dream.


In the beginning, Joan Egurrola, Mix Media Artisan and the owner of Sandbox Studio in Tamuning first knew, “I was interested in Art and owning a business when I created my first holiday craft project(s) in 3rd grade and sold them to my friends to give to their family,” she says. “I knew that there were children who had stumbling blocks grasping the concept of arts and craft. I wanted to help them and got offered lunch money in return”.

"Subsequently I sold artwork on my school yard, selling handmade cards to paper flowers for $1 a piece. Winning a lot of school art competitions gave me instant credibility. Then I hit a niche market with the girls by selling candy and cookie grams out of my bag during school breaks," Needless to say I often got in trouble at home for running with scissors! Joan recalls. Although she may not have known the meaning of entrepreneurial fever, Joan had it.

Through the years, Joan experimented with several professions before recognizing her love for color theory and her ability to "compartmentalize general design principles into a cohesive formula for future application."

Staying within the world of colors, art and media, Joan spent most of her professional career in the luxury retail business.

“I loved every single one my previous jobs. They were exciting, prestigious and always gave me a boost of pride being part of the beauty and luxury brand world. Seasonal and new “must haves” kept me on my toes within the already high pace industry.”

After some time Joan kept moving from jobs within advertising, different luxury brands and ended up with the high pace world of Dior cosmetics; all along trying to find the right fit. Finally Egurrola realized that it was she that wasn’t the right fit. “ The years keep fast forwarding and I never felt that sense of satisfaction, a feeling inside that said, “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life”, therefore I walked away and started over, this time from within.”
Starting over, “I thought about some of my most fond childhood memories of my sister and I, being taught by my mother to crochet. We had one of those home’s in the 80’s that had crochet Doilies everywhere from the top of the TV, under the lamp, as a sofa arm protector and dining room table cloth.

“I knew I wanted to teach people to share this type of experience with others but didn’t quite know how to begin.” Joan started doing some market research online and analyzing what type of arts and craft services that were not being offered on island.

“During the holidays my sister in-law would make handcrafted gifts and cards, my sister Sheila and I would wrap these amazing holiday baskets and would joke about starting a small business, we would laugh while throwing out different ideas but when I was alone, I took it seriously. I would stay up at night trying to envision my goal of opening my own business.”

One afternoon, while having coffee with my sisters, we started talking what makes us happy and the subject of the studio came up. They immediately offered their full support and confidence, I was inspired, that night I dreamt the concept of the company and the logo. The next day my sister Sheila called me about a space in tamuning, I rushed over. We stayed at the café for over 4 hours talking about the possibilities.”


The Concept of a studio, Joan wanted a business that related to her artistry, was meaningful, able to contribute in a positive way to others, and something new that the island didn’t offer. She knew two things; art and retail, therefore combined the two elements for a studio/retail concept called the sandbox.


At the Sandbox classes are offered at a mix of different media’s, in the form of crocheting, bead art, clay art, drawing and various style of painting, from watercolor to oil. Classes filled up immediately. Eventually other instructors/artist joined the group and began teaching classes. The Saturday children’s classes quickly grew in popularity and was extend to an after school program.

Now, "I have found that "going into business" is the easy part.”Staying there" is the hard part," Joan says. "Things change. Clients, their needs and the market. It's very important not to get too comfortable. I did fall into that - once!!"


What happens if I get sick? “From the beginning my family has always played a huge part in the success of the studio. “I recall my sisters and me, staying up until 4am to get ready for opening day. The next day, they were right there with me, excited and sleepy.”

Soon after the excitement of opening, Joan as most new business owners started getting the jitters. Starting as a one women show, Egurrola thought “what happens if I get sick?. Which bill do it pay first? How will I make it next year.. if this year fails? I was exhausted, there was so much to do still.” Joan had to mange teaching classes, finish merchandising, schedule and manage other classes and artist, completed her website, all while keeping up with the retail of handmade goods.


After talking to other women in business Joan soon learned that it was okay to have these questions, and “ I had to quickly accept the fact that I was going to be broke for the next couple years.


“When I find myself worrying, I remember my brother-in law Dr. Ronald Kobayashi showing up opening day in between doing surgeries, grabbing a bottle of glass cleaner and saying “What can I do to Help?” I knew right then that I was going to be okay.

“My family was going to be there for me no matter what. My sister’s re-arranged their busy Saturday afternoon to help me host kids classes. My mother Amelita started teaching her crochet class at the studio. A week before opening day I met a brilliant Artist Name Jerome Fisher who agreed to teach class twice a week. I was stoked, eventually the class started growing, students started picking their favorite classes. Then an amazing thing happened, people began forming their own groups! Students began taking ownership of their classes and student continued promoting their group simple by word of mouth. I was happy to know that people that a wonderful experience, enough to endorse the classes and kept coming back.”



The right fit, Joan finally started feeling a sense of roots when she joined the Soroptomist group. The concept of woman working to enrich the lives of other woman was a perfect fit for her. “Not only am I finally living the life of giving but as a soroptomist member she within a network of generous men and woman who serves as inspiration of strength, that are her mentors and are all examples of community role models.

Egurrola’s advice to other women who want to start their own business is, "Go For It!!!! You have nothing to lose, except time. If you don't try - you will never know," encourages Joan. "To start - talk to other women who have already done it, and listen."







THE WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Service / Retail

The Sandbox
Mix Media Art Studio
Owner : Joan P. Egurrola
Phone:648-4278
Website: thesandboxstudioguam.com
Email: joane@thesandboxstudioguam.com
Location: Pacific Plaza Tamuning,
Across LBJ school same building as Brown Bag Café
We offer classes Mixed Media Art classes with instructors that reflect our clients’ personality and lifestyle. In additional we offer custom services and retail of handmade gift items.
Retail: Handmade gift items such as greeting cards, crochets bags etc.
Service: Art Class: Bead Art, Clay Art, Crochet, Paper Art, Painting (Watercolor, Abstract,)Drawing, Kids Classes. Website Building.