Michelle DeFoe
Michelle DeFoe is a talented local artist and business owner of Star Woman Designs with a passion for creating art. In her early teens, she took a few art classes and immediately knew she enjoyed painting. Around that same time, her father also started teaching her how to create beadwork and moccasins.
When asked if art was something she knew she always wanted to pursue, Michelle reflected back to a day in art class when her teacher told her she had a natural talent for painting and the positive impact it made; but more importantly, she says “My Dad and I had our own connection when we were beading together and he passed away a year later”. Both experiences, among many other reasons, were influential to what would eventually turn into one of her life’s passions.
Her pieces typically start with acrylic paint canvas. Michelle has found that although she could easily sell each original and start a new piece, she prefers to take her time with each piece and turn them into prints. She also offers other merchandise such as coffee mugs, sketchbooks, stickers, and greeting cards that display her work. Michelle has found her products sell the most at various Art Markets, which are also a great place to learn about vendor opportunities and network with other artists. In addition to her market goods, she continues to create beadwork and moccasins on a custom-order basis.
I always felt highly supported by everyone at Northland SBDC as they guided her through learning business tools such as bookkeeping, sales tax, marketing, and applying for various grants available.
Michelle was working with a financial coach when she was encouraged to take her talent to the next level and start her own business. Community Action Duluth assisted her regarding how to invest in herself in what would eventually become her own business. It was through her financial coach at Community Action Duluth and friends of Michelle’s that encouraged her to reach out to the Northland Small Business Development Center.
She expresses there is a lot to be learned when starting a business and just like any learning curve in life this too came with some challenges, though feels fortunate she was not left to navigate any challenge on her own. Michelle always felt highly supported by everyone at Northland Small Business Development Center as they guided her through learning business tools such as bookkeeping, sales tax, marketing, and applying for various grants available.
Star Woman Designs officially opened in 2022 and Michelle is thankful for the support and education the Northland Small Business Development Center provided her every step of the way. Michelle finds entrepreneurship rewarding and contributing her time, energy, and resources to her business are leading her to financial independence. As Michelle’s business grows, she feels a sense of freedom with being able to build her schedule around her family and stay true to the path of Culture Revitalization all while doing something she loves. Michelle is excited to explore different areas of art and new ideas, continue to expand and watch Star Woman Designs grow, and see what the future brings.