10 Questions with Little Beach Gallery's Jen Villa

10 Questions, Shoot!

Q: What did you dream of being as a kid?

My parents have a video of me when I was 6-years-old. The video consists of them asking me a series of question, one being: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

My answer: (replied with a thick, Massachusetts accent slash speech impediment) “I want to be an AHR-tist, ‘cause even if you just draw a line, it’s still somethin’.” I think I was on to something.

Q: How does your personality play into your business?

I’m extremely enthusiastic and passionate about everything, which comes across in my business and with my customers. I love my job. I love my store and I love all the doors it has opened for me to connect with people in the community.

I also am obsessed with the ocean and the beach and the creativity and serenity it has evoked in myself and I’ve found, in most of my customers. 

Q: At what moment did you decide to open a business?

Well, I have been writing business plans for years.  The first plan was to open a restaurant, as I had spent most of my working years within that industry and I love a good dining experience. Within that restaurant I had planned to feature my artwork and have a beach theme … the restaurant part took a backseat and selling my artwork became the priority.

I was living in Santa Barbara, Ca. and would come home to Hyannis in the summer. I had seen a little adorable green building for rent on South Street, a building I remembered admiring all my summers growing up, and a seed was planted. Months later on my 28^th birthday, my parents called to wish me well. I was sunbathing on Summerland Beach and I asked if that green building was still for rent. They told me it was and I told them I was moving home and opening a gallery in that space. Six months later I had moved back to the Cape and a couple months after that The Little Beach Gallery doors opened.

Q: What inspired you?

As I mentioned before, the beach and the ocean are a huge part of my life. The ocean has been an inspiration for my art and my hunger for life for as long as I can remember. I was also inspired by the idea of creating something special for people. Creating a space that connects people; a store that inspires people and a gallery that gives artists a venue to showcase themselves. I am constantly inspired by the idea of providing local, sustainable, handcrafted artwork and gifts to people who cherish and appreciate them.

Q: Describe the biggest challenge of owning a business in the Town of Barnstable?

Getting started and pushing boundaries in Barnstable is very tricky! It’s not easy to get off the ground and that initial process requires quite a bit of that enthusiasm I mentioned.  There are many things the town focuses on that can be discouraging for a business owner, like signage enforcement and permitting issues, but if you learn to be patient and communicate efficiently … it’s not so bad.

Q: Describe the best thing about owning a business in the Town of Barnstable?

The sense of community! I have been so pleasantly surprised by the social life and connections I have made through owning a business here.

I have met so many fabulous people, whether it be someone at a local networking group, an artist I have taken on or one of the hundreds of customers I have fallen in love with. There’s nothing I like better than having a spontaneously lengthy, enthusiastic conversation with a person who entered my store a stranger and left a friend, one that I nearly always see again.

Q: What is one thing you would never change about your business?

I will never compromise the mission I have to represent independent, local artists and sell products that are hand-crafted and essentially one of a kind.

Q: What is your business’ greatest asset?

I am constantly striving to provide something refreshing for my customers. I love representing artists who are up and coming and showcasing work that can’t be seen elsewhere. I consider my store special in that it features locally created artwork and gifts, that are desirable and “beach-y” but stylish, unique and thoughtful.

Q: What is your favorite spot in town?

I love all of The Cape. I love exploring all the many secret spots and corners. One of my favorite spots is the beach the gallery is named after at the end of 5^th avenue, off Craigville Beach Road.  There’s a big rock down there that I grew up climbing and a bench you can watch the sun set over Squaw Island in Hyannisport. It’s magical.

Q: What’s one thing the community should know about you?

I’m on board! I love it all and want to get as involved as possible. I want to unite like-minded community members and work together as a unit to make our little gem of a home the best it can be.