St. Louis Mom Designs an International Business

Some people think of a bedroom as nothing more than a place to sleep. Kim Gellman sees a place where children can express their creativity and let their imaginations run wild.

Through her online store, ArtisticSensations.com, kids – and their parents – can discover designer décor to dress up the bedroom of their dreams.

A mom of two boys and a former marketing manager for a restaurant chain, Gellman launched Artistic Sensations in 1996 after struggling to find the perfect touches for her own kids’ nurseries.

“When I was pregnant with my first child, I felt there were limited choices in St. Louis,” she explained. “I wanted a nursery that was a combination of funky and traditional, and I could not find items. It inspired me to start looking in other cities for these items, and I found there were many more choices in New York, Chicago and LA.”

Gellman decided to take design into her own hands. She began selling 25 different nursery décor items out of her house and at hospitals, craft shows and gift fairs throughout St. Louis.

After a year, a friend offered to build her a website at the time the Internet was first taking off. “I thought, why not sell across the country, even the world? I sold a stepstool to London my first 90 days and then a set of bedding to LA. I was hooked and caught the ‘entrepreneurial spirit.’”

Today, Artistic Sensations features designer bedding, furniture and room décor from 50 different artists and companies, offering the hottest trends for girls and boys of all ages. In fact, according to Gellman, some of the most popular looks right now include peace signs, polka dots and stripes as well as animal prints in browns and crèmes. In terms of color, pinks, chocolates and purples are popular with girls while boys favor denims, greens, oranges and browns.

By mastering the art of customer service and creating a strong network via social media, Gellman has solidified her business by building long-lasting relationships with vendors and customers, all while raising two active boys, ages 12 and 14.

To any parent wanting to start a business, the duties of running a successful company like Gellman’s may seem overwhelming, but she insists strategic planning and networking can turn a creative spark into a full-blown business.

“If you have the passion for your ideas, you can make it happen,” she said. “Set realistic goals. Create a business plan. Meet with other business owners. Listen and learn from everyone you come in contact with, and surround yourself with motivated, intelligent people. Just go for it!” 

By Nicole Plegge, lifestyle blogger for SmartParenting and feature writer for St. Louis Kids Magazine

This story also appears in the Spring/Summer issue of St. Louis Kids Magazine. Pick it up at your favorite location today or read it online in our new digital edition

Share This Story
Our Daily Things to Do email is the easiest way to plan your day.
Follow Us
 
Things to Do

Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Wednesday, July 2, 2025

See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.

View this event »
Storytelling in the Museum from the Missouri History Museum
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Storytelling in the Museum is an in-person storytelling event happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum. This event, perfect for the preschool set, features engaging stories with themes like Juneteenth, Sweet Treats, Summer and more. Storytelling in the Museum is free.

View this event »
Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.
Popular Stories

Festivals & Fireworks to Celebrate July 4th in St. Louis

It's time to celebrate Independence Day in St. Louis, and because this year July 4th falls on a Friday, your family can look forward to a full weekend of festivals and fireworks. Check out these family-friendly celebrations that include carnivals, fantastic fireworks and lots more.

Continue reading »
Summer Fun in St. Louis Starts Now! Your Guide to Family Fun this June

For many St. Louis families, the start of June represents the real start of summer. That's when the summer fun really starts to kick in, and the fact that so many activities and attractions are free is just a bonus!

Continue reading »
Why Summer Camp is Great for . . . Parents

Being able to focus on yourself, your partner, and other people in your life who mean a lot to you is no small matter. As parents, we’re used to being responsible providers and caregivers. However, there’s so much more to a person: we’re also partners and friends. These are important parts of our identities that we need to cultivate. Sending your kids to summer camp may bring out your more playful side that you haven’t shown for a while.

Continue reading »
7 Signs Your Kids Are Ready For Their First Sleepaway Camp

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.

Continue reading »
Want Your Kids to Learn? Teach Them It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

Continue reading »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Follow Us