ASBTDC at the U of A Client Stories: Pyrogenic Arts LLC

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Art produced at Pyrogenic Arts

Randi Sparks, the owner of Pyrogenic Arts, has always been a creative person. After attaining a degree in art and spending some time teaching, she decided it was time to begin pursuing her own creative path. She started Pyrogenic Arts as a way to take care of the professional side of creating in a legitimate way. 

Pyrogenic Arts is a creative company that sells colorful, hand-made ceramic objects, fiber art and jewelry inspired by nature, anatomy and horror/sci-fi/fantasy pop culture. Sparks is able to put her own creativity into every object she makes in order to provide the most unique, high-quality product to each customer.

Sparks first came to the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the U of A looking for help with the business' financials. Stephanie Parsons, business consultant for the center, assisted her by running a financial analysis of the business and walking her through the next steps. At first, taxes seemed daunting to Sparks, but Parsons boosted her confidence in being able to run her business and understand them.

"This year, I felt so much more confident about doing [my taxes] and helping other creatives feel better about the process too!"

Since starting her business, Sparks has taken many steps in order to make sure it would be successful. Between consultations from the Small Business and Technology Development Center and Fayetteville Public Library's "From Maker to Market," Sparks has learned how to navigate many entrepreneurial challenges such as tracking expenses, filing taxes, starting an LLC, marketing and setting costs for products. 

"Cultivate community," Sparks said. "Spend more time marketing your work to the people who will get it and appreciate it the most."  

Sparks states that she feels lucky to have the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center as a free resource in the community, filled with knowledgeable people who are happy to help business owners learn and answer any questions. The consultants with the ASBTDC will always do the research to make sure every business owner is able to find the right information they need, no matter the situation.

Visit the Pyrogenic Arts website.

About the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, UAF helps small business in Northwest Arkansas thrive. With offices in Fayetteville and Bentonville, ASBTDC consultants provide one-on-one confidential consulting and guidance to current and prospective business owners in Benton, Boone, Carroll, Madison, Newton, and Washington counties. The center offers in-person and virtual trainings and workshops to help entrepreneurs gain the knowledge and skill necessary for success. The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is a unit of the Division of Economic Development, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.