Jan Saulnier
Jan Saulnier is an ARTpreneur.
She tells us that, “Four years ago, I made the bold decision to leave my successful career as a National Sales Manager and Corporate Trainer, to lead women’s retreats in Nova Scotia. However, the pandemic brought those plans to a sudden halt, forcing me to pivot quickly. While continuing my work in leadership coaching, I finally had the time to reflect and follow my own advice. I enrolled in an art therapy course, which marked the beginning of a profound journey of self-discovery.
Two years later, I am now a full time artist who has found a brand new purpose and passion in life. This unexpected path has transformed me, and I am dedicated to never going back to my old life. The global pandemic, despite its challenges, became a catalyst for reevaluating my direction and embracing a fulfilling new world that has now been curated to my exact interests and purpose in life. Through my art and continued coaching, I aim to inspire others to pursue their true passions and redefine their lives as well. It just takes courage.”
Tell us about your life before the venture/ leading up to your venture?
Since my early 20s, I have held various sales, training, and leadership positions. While these roles were always fulfilling, there was always a sense of something unanswered. Moving across Canada, and one year in Santa Barbara, I excelled in retail and manufacturing sales and training, with strengths in building relationships and connecting with people.
Eventually, I left my successful career to become a full-time sales and leadership consultant as well as a facilitator for curated executive women’s retreats, oceanside in Nova Scotia. That is when the pandemic hit, my retreats came to a sudden halt. I reassessed my life and took an art therapy course, which became the catalyst for my new and forever life as an artist. This unexpected journey has led me to a fulfilling and purposeful path that I am committed to pursuing. I coach women on how to be fearful and move forward anyway. Grab your passion and uncover your purpose. Follow me!!
Tell us something about your organization. What is it about and how is it helpful for people?
Before becoming an ARTpreneur and leadership coach, my career involved: sales executive positions, training, and leadership roles across North America. Many of the boxes were ticked for an exciting career, lots of travel from coast to coast however there was always a sense of something unanswered. I continued searching via the normal routes. Changed companies, changed provinces. As I moved across Canada, I excelled in retail and manufacturing sales and training, with my strengths lying in building relationships and connecting with people.
Eventually, I left my successful career to become a full-time leadership consultant and executive women’s retreat facilitator in Nova Scotia. I was months away from my first retreat after 2 years of retreat study, when the pandemic hit. My retreats came to a screeching halt. During that alternate universe, I reassessed my entire life and finally took the advice I had been dishing out my entire career. I went within, studying myself, remembered what I was passionate about, did some deep breathing, and then I took an art therapy course. This became the catalyst for my new and forever life. I am an artist. This unexpected journey has led me to a fulfilling and purposeful path that I am committed to pursuing not just for myself. I continue to coach but now it’s about painting while helping others find the passion untapped and knowing that we have one life and to LIVE IT TO YOUR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL. If you are unsure what to do to find your passion which just may lead to your purpose, just follow me:)
What has been the response of the consumers towards your venture?
The biggest achievement for me was the appreciation of my art from others outside of my circle, people who did not know me. A total bonus is selling an original piece to a first time art buyer. LOVE THAT! EVERYONE deserves beautiful inspiring art on their walls but many don’t know 1 Where to start (start slow) 2 Don’t trust their own taste ( If YOU like it THAT is the whole purpose 3 Don’t believe they have the budget. (Art is available in many mediums and for every single budget). You know you’ve nailed it when you walk into your space and you feel like you are walking into a hug. I had my first open air market for Mother’s Day in Toronto. My first big city experience with my art. It was a success and I learned so much. Next one for Father’s Day. Follow @jansaulnierart for more 🙂
How has your life changed because of your venture?
I am recovering from 2 burnouts, anxiety, the pandemic, and am moving into the happiest and more fulfilling time of my life. I don’t believe any of this would have happened if not for the pandemic. I was too busy running, as most women….
What are you working on right now?
Continuing with my art education, art social media, my shopify needs work, acrylic resin workshop area needs help, approaching new retailers, applying to other markets etc.
Give a motivational message for the audience/women who are reading this.
Once you find your passion you happily spend 80 hours a week working for yourself, as opposed to working 40 hours a week for someone else. Many women do not move forward out of fear, KNOW that you can be fearful and move forward anyway.
Get in touch:
- Instagram: jansaulnierart
- Shopify: oceangirlinthecity.com
- Linked In: Janice Saulnier