Meet Aja Loyd | Artist & Founder

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

Hi Aja, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The thought process behind starting Taste&Paint llc came from one small question–why work for someone else when I can work for myself. We had the desire to have create a new space where people can indulge in their creative side and try something that brings joy and new experiences. What’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
One piece of conventional advice that I disagree with is that it takes a ton of money to start a business. Does a large amount of capital make a difference? Definitely. however it doesn’t take a lot to get the proper licensing you need to get started. It’s possible to “ball on a budget” until you get your business up and rolling.
Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career? Risk taking can be—well risky. However, if well calculated, high risk tend to give out high reward. If the risks you take aren’t detrimental to the foundation of your business, I feel like risk are necessary.
What habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Planning, planning and more planning. The best habit to is to be organized and have a plan on how each component of your business should look. Even if it doesn’t go to plan, having that baseline helps increase confidence and is a lot more beneficial than shooting in the dark.
What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?
The most important factor behind out success is the relationships we have built with the people in the community. Having a good rapport with people increases the number of opportunities and growth you can potentially have with your business. Another factor of success would have to be the love and effort we put into each event that we hold. We leave our heart out on the stage each time to make sure people know this is something that is a passion and not just a source of income.
What’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
The more important lesson the business has taught me is the importance of having a support system of good team around you. A new small business is like a child. It takes a village to raise a child and I feel like the same goes for a business. Everyone who is on your team plays an important role in the success.
Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance? Work life balance is a difficult equation to find the perfect answer to. You must be willing to give your all to see your business succeed but also maintain your lifestyle until you reach that success. This journey can be strenuous but it’s worth it every step of the way.
How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Taste& Paint was born over a lunch conversation discussing our dreams and aspirations. Once we realized it was more feasible than it seemed we had dived in and made the dream a reality.
Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?
A creative career was pursued because of the beauty seen in creating a space that would allow people to let go of the stigma that there is a wrong and right way to be artistic and that we all must be the same. The goal was to remove the idea of good and bad and focus on how it made you feel. We wanted to give people an experience they normally don’t take the time to give themselves.
What are you inspired by?
Taste& Paint is inspired by the dreamers and creators that live in all of us, but sometimes get lost or buried in the mundane feeling everyday life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is my expression. Taste& Paint:The art social is for the dreamers and creators that live in all of us, but sometimes get lost or buried in the mundane feeling everyday life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If a friend came into town I would take them to what I would consider to be the best restaurants and sights in the city. I would start with breakfast at Morning Glory, its a cute eclectic spot with amazing vegan options and great drinks. Then we would go to Sunny Jim Sea Cave in La Jolla, check out the quaint gift shop and do a kayak cave tour afterwards. Next we would grab some lunch at Sips in North Park and head to the Red Door to do an escape room. For dinner, we would go to The Lot and enjoy a dinner and a movie. Over the next few days we would go to Snooze, Kensington Cafe, The Mission and Breakfast& Bubbles for breakfast. For Lunch we would go to Plumeria,Tacotarian, Evolution and El Veganito. For dinner we would go to Sipz again, because its just that good, Matterello, Native Foods, and El Jardin. For Fun, we would go to Dave and Busters, Coin Op, K1 Speed, Punchbowl Social and Tiki Hut Mini Golf in mission beach. For sightseeing, we would go to all the beaches sunset cliffs,Spruce street suspension bridge, and Mt. Helix Park.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Alexis Wells

Website: www.tasteandpaintsd.com

Instagram: tasteandpaintsd

Facebook: Taste and Paint LLC