Today we’d like to introduce you to Reshu Jain.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I truly believe that the universe has a unique plan for each one of us. Our role is to trust the divine, have faith in its timing, and continue moving forward with sincerity and purpose. Looking back, I can see how every experience in my life was preparing me for the journey I am on today.
Born and raised in the small city of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India, I have been deeply drawn to art since childhood. Creativity, colors, and self-expression have always given me a strong sense of joy and fulfillment. My inner calling was to do something that involved creativity and connected with my soul. However, life initially led me down a different path. I became a software engineer and spent nine years working in the technology industry in India.
After moving to the United States, life unfolded in an entirely new way. At that time, I was also a new mother to my six-month-old daughter. Naturally, motherhood became my highest priority. While I cherished every precious moment of her childhood, I also knew that I did not want to lose my own identity and aspirations. I was constantly searching for a balance that would allow me to be fully present for my family while also creating a meaningful future for myself.
I strongly believe that each of us has the power to create the life we envision. It requires authenticity, dedication, hard work, faith in the divine, and the courage to take the first step. I have always felt that when we are honest in our intentions and committed to our responsibilities, divine grace finds its way to us.
I still remember how a simple conversation over a cup of coffee with a friend sparked an idea that would eventually grow into a thriving art community. Art had always been my passion, and I loved spending creative time with children in my neighborhood. We would paint together simply for the joy of creating, and that is where the idea first took shape.
A dear friend encouraged me to start small and begin teaching art classes. Although I was hesitant at first, I decided to trust the process and take that leap of faith. Soon after, a wonderful family gave me the opportunity to teach their children. Their trust meant a great deal to me, and over time, that connection blossomed into a beautiful friendship that I cherish to this day.
Through word of mouth, I met many kind and supportive people who believed in my vision and helped spread the word about my art education program. Even after more than a decade, I remain deeply grateful to those who supported me during the early days when I was laying the foundation of my dream. On a personal note, my husband has been a strong support throughout my journey. He has always encouraged me to bring new ideas into my business and, with his IT background, helped me set up systems and streamline things, especially in the early days.
What began with just two students gradually grew into Reshu Art Lobby, an art studio serving the Chantilly and Ashburn communities in Virginia. Today, nearly 300 students participate in our programs each year. We offer classes in watercolor, acrylic, oil painting, and other artistic mediums, along with workshops for adults, summer camps, student art exhibitions, paint-and-sip events, and a variety of community-centered creative experiences.
As I reflect on this journey, I feel immense gratitude. What started as a personal search for balance and purpose evolved into something far greater than I had imagined. Through art, I have had the privilege of building meaningful relationships, inspiring creativity, and creating a space where people can express themselves, heal, and connect. For me, art is not just a profession , it is a way of bringing people together and helping them discover the joy and beauty that creativity can bring into their lives.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I truly believe that someone up there is holding my hand and guiding me through this beautiful journey of life. Having said that, every path comes with its own challenges, and entrepreneurship is no different.
One of my biggest challenges was balancing motherhood with building a business. In the early years, I was raising a young daughter while trying to create something from scratch. There were many days when I wondered if I was giving enough to my family and enough to my dream. But over time, I realized that balance does not mean doing everything perfectly. It means being fully present wherever you are and giving your best in that moment.
Starting a business in a new country was another challenge. I had no network, no established connections, and very few people who knew me or my work. Building trust within the community took time. In the beginning, I spent much more time and effort than the returns I received. Many times, I chose to offer discounts and additional value because I knew that before people invest in your business, they need to trust you. Looking back, those efforts helped me build genuine relationships, and the community gave me an opportunity to prove myself.
Coming from a software engineering background, stepping into the world of art education was also a big shift. Along with teaching art, I had to learn how to run a business, market my programs, manage operations, and eventually build a team. As the studio grew, finding teachers who shared the same values, passion, and love for children became very important.
One challenge that is very close to my heart is working with children on the autism spectrum and those with special needs. While it requires extra patience, time, and attention, our team at Reshu Art Lobby has always chosen to welcome these children with open arms. We strongly believe that art can be a powerful tool for healing, self-expression, and growth. Over the years, we have witnessed beautiful transformations in many of these children , their confidence, focus, emotional expression, and overall well-being. Seeing those changes has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
Looking back, I feel that every challenge came with a lesson and every struggle came with a blessing. The difficult moments taught me patience, strengthened my faith, and helped me grow both as a person and as an entrepreneur. Today, I am grateful not only for the success but also for all the challenges that helped shape the path.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Reshu Art Lobby?
I am the founder of Reshu Art Lobby, an art studio in Northern Virginia with locations in Ashburn and Chantilly. We provide art education and creative experiences for children and adults through classes, workshops, summer camps, paint-and-sip events, birthday parties, and annual art exhibitions. We teach a variety of art forms including watercolor, acrylic, oil painting, sketching, abstract art, and traditional folk arts such as Madhubani, Lippan, and Mandala art. We are fortunate to have talented instructors who specialize in different art forms and bring their expertise to our students. We also warmly welcome children with special needs, as we strongly believe that art can work beautifully as a form of therapy, helping them express emotions and improve focus in a supportive environment.
What truly sets Reshu Art Lobby apart is not just the art we teach, but the environment we create. I strongly believe that art is much more than learning a skill ,it is a beautiful flow of energy that allows people to express themselves, heal, relax, and connect with their inner creativity. Whether it is a child or adult attending weekly classes or an adult joining a workshop, we strive to create a warm, welcoming, and judgment-free space where everyone feels encouraged and inspired.
One of the greatest compliments we receive is when students stay with us for many years and become a part of our extended art family. People often come to us saying, “I am a beginner,” or “I am not creative enough.” Our goal is not only to teach techniques but also to build confidence and help them discover abilities they never knew they had. Sometimes, all a person needs is someone to say, “You can do it.”
More than the growth of the studio, I am most proud of the community we have built. I started with just two students, and today we serve hundreds of students every year. Seeing children gain confidence, adults reconnect with their creativity, and families become part of our extended art family is incredibly rewarding. I am also very proud of our annual Art exhibition-“Echoes of Color “, which gives our students , other fellow artists a platform to celebrate and showcase their artistic journey.
At Reshu Art Lobby, we believe that art has the power to transform lives. We are proud not only of the quality of our art education but also of the positive, nurturing community we have built over the years. As a team, we feel blessed to be part of a space where we do not just teach art-we inspire creativity, build confidence, create meaningful connections, and nourish souls through the joy of art.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t really believe in “good luck” or “bad luck” in a traditional sense. I feel that everything that happens in life carries a purpose- either as a lesson or as a step toward something greater. If something doesn’t work out, it is either guiding us to learn something important or redirecting us toward a better path.
For me, life has always felt like a combination of effort, intention, and divine timing. I strongly believe that divine grace is available to everyone, but it is up to us how open we are to receive it. In that sense, we create our own “luck” through our actions, mindset, and the energy we bring into the world.
I have always tried to walk on a path of honesty, kindness, and sincerity in my work. I also believe in growing with people rather than competing with them. Success, to me, is not about reaching the top alone, but about uplifting others along the way and building a supportive community.
Looking back, I feel that the right people and opportunities have always shown up at the right time -sometimes as supportive friends, sometimes as encouraging teachers, and sometimes as fellow artists who became part of my journey. I see all of this as divine alignment rather than coincidence.
So instead of luck, I believe in gratitude, consistent effort, and staying open to the guidance the universe offers in its own beautiful way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://reshuartlobby.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reshuartlobby/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReshuArtLobby/
