Translating Passion to Business
“I used to work a real job once” said Navin Weeraratne, Owner, Painted Figs (www.paintedfigs.com). However, like most young entrepreneurs, the long hours, bad pay, the boring old grind made him soon realize that he wanted to start his own business. “I knew I wanted to wargame and paint minis – so I started there. After a year of research, I started my business ‘Painted Figs’ in 2005. Now we have 15 staff!”
At a time when foreign revenue is crucial for our economy, Painted Figs is doing a great service, as their target market is entirely aimed at a foreign client base. “We mainly serve USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia & a few other countries” Navin explained. He said that their clients range from board gamers who are generally a little over 21 years of age all the way up to senior citizens who can no longer paint due to age factors. “In recent years we’ve noticed customers getting their kids into board gaming and getting their miniatures painted through us”.
Adapting to Co-vid 19
“We have a shipping hub in Illinois, USA for our US & Canadian clients that has been operating this entire time, collecting shipments from clients & holding onto them until postal services reopen in Sri Lanka. We’ve also changed the layout of our painting studio to accommodate for social distancing between employees, brought in stocks of hand sanitizer and cleaning agents for workspaces, implemented in house sessions to inform staff of the dangers of the virus and how they can stay safe & also keep their families safe. We’ve also allowed for staff who can work from home to do so and we’re fortunate we’ve not laid off any staff or cut pay” he said.
It was also stated that the Painted Figs customers both old and new have been very patient and understanding about the constraints of operating in a country under lockdown & have supported the company by continuing to provide business during these difficult times.
Overcoming Challenges
Painted Figs has had an increase in demand from new customers as many people stuck at home are looking at their existing stock of miniatures or getting new miniatures done
“Our main concern is receiving packages from clients around the world and getting our staff into the painting studio and back to fulfilling outstanding orders. The quicker we start work, the quicker we can collect on outstanding payments from customers waiting to send money our way. We understand the government needs to protect the nation and we’re thankful the situation seems to be in control but once we’re provided with the green light to resume operations, we will hit the ground running.”
You too can become an artist at Painted Figs
“If anyone is interested in joining us, they can send their cv & portfolio to paintedfigs@gmail.com. We maintain a database of interested applicants who we call in when the need arises.
We look for people who have an understanding or interest in pop culture like comics, sci-fi or fantasy (movies and/or books). We have an intense in-house training program for new recruits in terms of what our customers may look for in painting.
Sometimes the art instructions are simple and art references are provided, other times customers provide us with artistic licence and this is when the inherent abilities of our painters are allowed to shine” he said.