Over a year ago, Shaquanna West found herself exhausted in her corporate career, burnt out from a toxic environment where, despite holding several leadership positions, she felt restricted and uninspired, overworked and underestimated.
When the opportunity to purchase a Pinot’s Palette paint-and-sip franchise was presented to her, West realized the time had arrived to stop supporting other people’s visions and start investing in her own.
In July 2024, with no prior experience in franchising, business ownership or even art, West acquired her first Pinot’s Palette studio in Summit, NJ. Re-energized by the autonomy, flexibility and creativity of entrepreneurship and confident in her vision to build the joyful space she always dreamed of, she drove a 60% increase in revenue within her first year.
The turnaround was so successful that by February 2025—just seven months later—West acquired a second location in Brick Township, NJ. She credits her rapid success to three key factors.
Fostering a People-First Culture
West intentionally builds her business around the people, not the product. She and her team pay close attention to the details that make guests feel seen and celebrated, from curating the right playlist for a Wednesday night class or recognizing a birthday during a public session. Her goal is to create an atmosphere where every guest feels welcomed, remembered and valued.
That level of hospitality starts from within, with a team culture built on respect, collaboration and trust. Drawing from her own experience in toxic workplaces, West makes it a priority to foster a supportive environment where her artists feel empowered to contribute ideas, take initiative and show up as their full, creative selves. She’s seen that energy flow directly into the guest experience, fueling the joyful, community-driven atmosphere that defines her studios.
Getting Out in the Community
West’s people-first philosophy extends beyond the walls of her studios. From day one, she set out to build authentic connections by partnering with local churches, schools, nonprofits and small businesses to host fundraisers and special events. These collaborations have not only introduced new guests but also positioned her studios as trusted, engaged members of the community. West credits this genuine community involvement as one of the most powerful drivers of growth, and one of the most meaningful parts of her journey.
Implementing Strategic Operational Discipline
Despite having no prior experience as a business owner, West brought strong leadership, structure and strategic thinking to the table. She quickly optimized her studios’ offerings, hours and class formats to better meet the needs of her guests and drive profitability. One of her first changes was expanding the schedule to include more family-friendly options, such as Mommy and Me classes, kids summer camps and earlier time slots that better suited parents and young families.
West also credits much of her early success to the support and resources provided by the Pinot’s Palette corporate team. From marketing toolkits to operational playbooks and product variety guides, she fully leveraged the franchise system to build a strong foundation. Following the proven framework while adding her own strategic touches made her transition into business ownership both smooth and successful.
Living Her Purpose
What began as a leap of faith and a strong belief that people deserve to feel seen and celebrated has turned into two thriving businesses and a life of purpose for West. Clear vision and hard work not only drove her studios’ financial success but also built two community hubs that celebrate creativity, confidence and connection—which, for West, is what continues to inspire her every day.
To others who feel burnt out in their corporate careers and may feel scared to take the leap into business ownership, West offers this piece of advice: “You’re allowed to choose yourself. You don’t need permission to pivot. Get clear on what kind of life you want to live—and take one intentional step toward it.”