Drawing in Business With Sweet Temptations

The transition: "It was scary," Nelson says. "Becoming an entrepreneur was like jumping off a cliff -- I didn't know what to expect and I didn't know how it would work out, but you know what? It's wonderful being my own boss. Even if I'm not making close to the amount of money I used to make before, it's just a really great experience. Taking risks makes life more interesting and worthwhile. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say."

Start-up costs: The initial costs for Artfully Chocolate, Nelson says, were around $30,000. In the next couple of months, the entrepreneur plans on opening two more stores to display his paintings: Artfully Paper, a stationary store, and Artfully Chocolate, featuring Kingsbury Confections, a cocoa bar he's opening with Rob Kingsbury, one of his local chocolate suppliers.

For Artfully Paper he's invested $80,000, but for the cocoa bar, Nelson says costs have not been as dramatic since he has a partner. However, "it was a financial struggle and it still is," he adds. "I had a lot of savings and I've been going through it all, particularly with opening the two new stores."

His company's edge: The fact that it's very unusual, Nelson says. "If you were to come into the store, you would see it's unlike almost any other store." Not only is it bold, bright, colorful and cheerful from the paintings and gold and red walls, it smells like chocolate. "It's just an incredible, positive experience right from when you walk in the door," he says. "All your senses are stimulated in a positive way."