Bethany Rice has been at Peak Art & Frame on Landmark Drive since 2004. She’s been in the framing business even longer.
With a knack for satisfying customers, Rice knew she had the ability to help the business succeed, so she bought out one of the partners in 2007 and became part-owner, as well as manager.
Earlier this year, Rice started getting ideas for how to improve the business.
“It takes a lot of energy. I felt like, ‘If I’m going to put that energy into it, it should be mine and I can grow and expand it the way I want to,'” she said.
So in June, she bought out her partners and became sole owner of the store, which is close to Walmart and Great Harvest Bread Co.
Her first big change was to add a photography studio.
Prior to entering the framing business, Rice studied photography and worked as a professional. Her work can be seen on Facebook at Rice Photography and Design.
Peak Art & Frame had extra space, so Rice and her husband converted it to a studio, enabling the business to take a portrait and frame it in the same place.
She has a lot of local competition for both framing services and professional photography, but what sets her apart is her artistic eye, she said.
“Framing can make all the difference in the world. You’re not limited; and can totally change the look of a piece of art depending on what you do,” she said. “It’s fun to work with customers and get their different styles, see what they have going on in their particular homes. It’s fun to see how the same piece can be framed completely differently for different spaces; it makes a big difference how you display the art,” she said.
Most importantly, she enjoys it.
“It gives me back that outlet for shooting and the creative side something I’ve missed in the process of taking over and running this place,” she said.
Peak Art and Frame will hold an open house on Oct. 15 to introduce the new studio and photography services. Call 649-0801 for more information.