We had the good fortune of connecting with Fern Solomon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fern, how do you think about risk?
It seems like risk is part of being an entrepreneur. I have been through many sea changes in my industry and though I get knocked down by things out of my control, I always seems to face the danger/risk and stand back up. There have been many many of these instances in my 40 year career. However, taking risks and getting back up has created a knowing that taking leaps, educated leaps, always seems to work out for me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am both a business woman and an artist. I think that I look at my business’ from the very beginning as a whole lot of hard worked days and all those hard worked days create success…. Along with a vision and focus. Creating the art that drives my business has been incredibly fun and fulfilling and also challenging. To find just the right note that will take off in the market. To listen to the market and create work that the people want. To not take failures personally and just keep on trying until you find the right “ticket” for the times. I think that I am most proud of creating a brand new company at the age of 60 and watching it grow and expand. It is wonderful to be able to tell young artists that it is never to late to create a new dream.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The peaceful amazing Japanese Gardens at CSULB Beachwood BBQ in downtown
Long Beach Belmont Brewing Company and a walk on the pier Ride bikes on the 5 mile bike path on the beach
Take the Aqua Link water taxi, a great way to take a boat trip
A walk in the Eldorado Nature Center and visit all the turtles

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There is a wonderful organization that totally supports me both as a Maker and retail store owner and has helped guide me thru the years. It is called CRAFT (Craft Retailers and Artists for Tomorrow) craftonline.org

Website: www.fernsgarden.com
Instagram: @fernsgarden
Twitter: @fernsgarden
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FernsGardenGallery/
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ferns-garden-long-beach

Other: https://heartthemoment.com/ This is the company i started at age 60 https://www.jacobschimes.com/ This is my company that I started 40 years ago