Jen and Julian Vance, owners of Gallery 35 in Westbrook, create laser engraved artwork ranging from layered wall décor and ornaments to bookmarks, maps, and custom pieces. What began as a creative experiment soon became a business.
After Julian repaired a broken laser machine for a friend, he discovered a love for the craft, and the couple soon found themselves building a growing collection of original work. Their first craft fair showed them that people valued their creations, especially Julian’s custom maps, and it gave them the confidence to keep going.
Gallery 35 has grown alongside a season of major change for their family. In 2024, their daughter Josie arrived three months early, and Jen stepped away from her career as an elementary music teacher to care for her. Today, Jen manages day-to-day operations, while Julian, a full-time engineer, leads design and laser production.
The business gave their family flexibility when they needed it most. At the same time, growing Gallery 35 while juggling full-time work and caregiving was not always easy.
Around this time, they learned about Maine SBDC through another small business and connected with Business Advisor Chris Cole. Since then, Chris has helped them strengthen their brand, explore wholesale opportunities, and build connections with other Maine businesses. “She has helped us with our shift into wholesale, ideas on how to make our product more marketable, and helped us make connections with other Maine small businesses.”
In just a few months, Gallery 35 attended New England Made, gained 10 wholesale clients, invested in professional photography, developed a catalog, and refined its logo to better reflect the business. For Jen and Julian, Maine SBDC is also an easy recommendation for other entrepreneurs. As they put it, “It’s completely free, which makes it a no-brainer, there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain!”
Now, the couple is preparing for the next phase of growth by building a dedicated workshop on their property. With a stronger brand, new wholesale relationships, and a clearer path forward, Jen and Julian are creating a business that fits both their creativity and their family’s needs.