Today we’d like to introduce you to Galit Papanikolaou.
Galit, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi all, I am Galit Papanikolaou. I am married to an amazing individual. I am a mother to 3 beautiful and intelligent children. Two of whom are educators.
I was born in Israel and had a beautiful childhood. I have wonderful memories of sailing to Greece each year for summer break on my dad’s sailboat.
The images of gorgeous red flowers on the background of white arches with the blue ocean as their canvas are fondly embedded in my memories. My dad taught me how to sail at a very young age. Summers in Greece were something I was cherishing and looking forward to.
Growing up in Israel was fulfilling with the meaningful holidays that everyone celebrated together which left its mark with a sense of belonging like no other. Especially when celebrated with a large family and many friends.
We moved to Florida when I was 14. I was supposed to enter 9th grade but after testing for education level, I was moved to 11th grade and only was a year and a half in high school before I graduated with honors at 16. I then entered Respiratory School and there I graduated with honors as well.
I loved building things when I was younger. I took woodshop and architectural classes while in school. I was always an artist, but I mainly knew how talented I was by my brother’s teachers who praised him on all his art projects that I have done for him 😉 shhhhh.
In my early 20’s, in the late 1980s, I met a beautiful, kind, and adventurous soul I call my husband, now of 36 years. We immediately clicked being of like entrepreneur minds. When we were married, we always thought of various artistic and creative ways to make a living. “Imagination is a beautiful thing”.
We started making Florida souvenirs for tourists, along with other interesting products, it was fun, but when your first child is on your footsteps, you must think about stability.
So, with that, I sidelined my art and had to put life’s responsibilities ahead of that talent.
I was hired as a Respiratory Therapist and worked nights so I can be with my children at the daytime while my husband is at work.
But when you are an artist, you must art. Right? So, I went on winning department contests at the hospital. When we had to decorate our department doors at Christmas time, while others just wrapped it with wrapping paper and bows, I created New York 3’D scenes and so much more. Let’s just say our Respiratory Department was on the map. Hahahha.
I remember painting our boring gray garbage cans with underwater fish scenes and turned a boring huge vase picture you will find at the hospital waiting room with an enormous heart with all its arteries and veins, etc. At first, I was scolded about defacing hospital property. But eventually, they loved it and left it all as it brought a fresh look to the subtle hospital colors.
I was also very involved with my kids’ PTA and have created many ultra-large cardboard props for their school events and was named a cardboard engineer.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course, there have been struggles along the way. When you are married, you must respect each other’s dreams and goals. Sometimes you have to give a portion of yourself to your loved ones.
In the late 1990s, my husband’s career in the boating industry took off. We had opened our own boat repair company and while I am still working at the hospital, it started becoming more and more demanding. In a good way.
I then resigned my hospital position of many years and took on business and accounting courses to understand every aspect of the boating industry. We ran our marina facility together before acquiring another facility and ran for years with over 100 employees and tons of schooling. It was the best years and the most challenging years of our lives. But art did not settle on the sidelines. I started creating our own huge marina signs, I took graphic design courses to be able to do our own advertising and save that outside cost.
The best side of dealing with the yachting world was seeing the lavish lifestyle and what I could bring to the table on the art side.
We acquired CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines and opened a CNC shop. We now advanced to cutting our own products and producing step plates and name boards for yachts. I took courses on plotter designs and cutting. I found that you can never know too much because too little was not enough, so you have no choice but to keep on advancing.
Being in the yachting world, you must entertain, and it must be in style. That is how the art started to become front line. I began creating parties and events, and during boat shows the lazy susans started to become a popular product I created and was using.
We’ve been impressed with Naples Art Factory, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I love creating art out of anything. The challenge of learning and creating your own processes and techniques is most important. I have a niche not because my product isn’t out there. It is because of how I make it and what it represents to the client.
I started making lazy susans to match clients’ spaces. It represents what they want, what they want to use it for, and how they will display it to work with their environment.
I call myself a Lazy Susan Artist and Naples Art Factory is Home of The Lazy Susan.
I began to look at my ability to create the lazy susans at client’s spaces and saw the need to strictly create an Interior Design line. The line consists of various Lazy Susan sizes, colors, styles, and more. Some clients wanted to see their loved ones on their table as to not forget them but design it to match their drapes, or their wall, or sofas, or bathroom décor, whatever it is, it will be “Functional Art on Your Table,” as I say.
My website along with my newly launched Etsy shop carry an array of lazy susans of various sizes and designs to fit your space and table. I do take on custom work. Please reach out to discuss your needs.
Table display should not have one level, so I created dish risers to match. Now you can display and swivel your food, or gifts, or whatever your need is, and you can display it to fill the negative space above the table.
I also began to work on a line now called TheBoozieSuzie.com for all bar enthusiasts.
Clients simply email me or text me pictures of their space, what colors and size they prefer, and I create a masterpiece to last a lifetime.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Art is very much a part of our family. When the kids were babies, we created a dedicated art room, and we urged them to express themselves through art. Now adults, art has helped them excel in everything.
It is extremely important for a child’s development.
In 2021 I took a chance and approached the fashionable Mercato Naples to acquire space under their pop up and grow program. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew that I’ll put 1000% into making it successful.
Naples Art Factory, the store, was opened.
As a family, we are all artistic in our own ways. So, with each of our art niche, the space transpired into what people described as a magical store.
We were named – The Art Family.
We set up a beautiful space full of colors with large-scale wall art by my artist son Dani Papa @papanikolaou.dani
Vintage collectible by my historian son Yoni who created www.southernfortunes.com
Wood carved art by my husband, and small gifts such as small resin pour trays my daughter made along with some jewelry.
I felt that our unity, creativity and love we share as a family, was felt when you entered the doors of Naples Art Factory in Mercato Naples.
And throughout the space, Lazy Susans of all colors, sizes, styles and finishes created a diverse space not only to sell my Lazy Susan line, but to appeal to locals and tourists with various unique art products and gifts. We were the cool store in Mercato Naples.
My interior design lazy Susan began to take off as more clients contacted me via word of mouth.
I also started offering art parties and workshops which took off and became very popular. People love sitting around the table learning, creating, and engaging with others in good spirits.
I managed my physical store at Mercato Naples for a little over a year. I met so many wonderful people and gained so much knowledge of the shopping center industry and its workings such as marketing, foot traffic, and season highs and lows. I was amid big industry names and made a name for myself.
Now concentrating on expanding my online store and interior design Lazy Susan line, I am excited to see how far I can take it by offering unique necessary products with an art twist.
Because of my business, marketing, and graphic design background, I feel that a challenge is the best gift you can adorn yourself with. It tests your abilities and builds your self-esteem when you deliver a pristine product you can be proud of.
When you see a customer’s face glow with joy, it produces a sense of, “Yes, I’m doing it”.
I am very meticulous so attention to detail and organization are my strongest traits. They can be applied to anything you want to accomplish.
It is very important to keep learning to advance yourself, and trust your gut to take that chance! You’ll never know where the road will take you unless you get on it.
Galit
Contact Info:
- Website: www.NaplesArtFactory.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naplesartfactory/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naplesartfactory
- Youtube: @naplesartfactory8367
