#4. TRAVERSING THE Fifties: FRIENDSHIP & FORTITUDE

Some say that friendship is the most precious gift in life – for Christine Trapaga and Regina Jakacki, that precious gift was all they needed when embarking on a new journey to becoming small business owners.

Christine obtained a degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology and Regina majored in Economics at Rutgers University. Somehow, they both ended up on the same path. Right out of college, they began waitressing and bartending where they quickly moved to higher management positions at separate companies.

The pair first met at the Philadelphia Art Museum in 1996, where Christine was working as the director of catering and Regina was the restaurant general manager. Even though they had run into each other briefly when they lived in New York City about eight years earlier, working at the Art Museum brought them together. Even when they transitioned to different food service management jobs after working at the Art Museum, they remained good friends. 

Coming from a world of restaurants, catering and corporate rules – Christine and Regina were ready for a monumental change.

“We were both feeling like this corporate world didn’t value women in management positions,” Christine expressed.

While in North Carolina, Christine went to a paint and sip studio for her step-daughter Courteney’s birthday and fell in love. She had a wonderful time, as did everyone in the painting class. She came to Regina with the idea that would get them out of the food management business – opening their own studio.

“It’s funny because I would tell myself that when I got older I would retire and paint. I was done with my food management job and I was ready to be inspired,” she said.

Now, fast forward a few months, Christine invited a group of her friends to a Painting with A Twist to celebrate her birthday. She planned on having fun but also went to get a feel for the business. Regina had just been downsized at work so she was not feeling like her typical joyous self.

“I only went because it was her birthday but something happened while I was there – all of my stress left me. In the parking lot after the class, I turned to Christine and told her we were doing this,” said Regina.

There are several reasons the new business partners decided on Painting with A Twist as their new endeavor. The franchise offers beautiful artwork and the concept brings joy to everyone who comes to a studio. But, Christine accredits the company owners for truly sealing the deal. After meeting with them, she knew it was the perfect next step.

It was also attractive to them both as they felt it was a big female business – something neither of them had with their previous jobs.

In 2013, only three months after receiving the key to the property that would complete their dream, the pair opened their first location in Jenkintown, P.A. A 58 and a 54-year-old had now found themselves as small business owners, and they were excited.

Opening the studio was a vast change for both women. They had worked their way to management positions and gave that up to work nights and weekends once again. Sounds crazy, right? – not for Christine and Regina.

“My favorite part of this is being in the studio and watching how happy people become through finding their artistic side,” said Regina.

While Regina had just been downsized and going through a family crisis, she found herself coming to the studio to escape everything. She jokingly refers to it as her happy place – but it truly is.

Becoming small business owners has been so fulfilling that they recently opened another studio in Northeast Philadelphia, P.A. this past April. A key to their success is their partnership. They provide stability, encouragement and inspiration for one another. They both agree that this journey would not be nearly as fun if they were doing it alone.

“With Regina, there’s no one I rather do it with. Our strengths and weaknesses complement each other,” said Christine.

Christine and Regina have also inspired several other people to become part of the Painting with A Twist family – something of which they are both extremely proud of.

With their changing careers, Christine and Regina certainly had to adjust. They now stopped worrying about food costs and began to focus on bringing in the best artists for their studios. The networking and camaraderie that comes from this business, along with being their own bosses, has made this journey worth it for the both of them.

“The most rewarding part is being able to control your destiny,” explained Regina.

Even though their past experiences with hospitality and management have certainly helped them with this life change, Christine and Regina took a huge risk that ultimately led to a happier life for both of them. They were in their 50s with established careers in the food business, but that didn’t matter when it came to rewriting their story. They had a new dream, and each other, and that was enough.