“There is nothing like us.” This is how Terry Clarke begins to describe Black Parakeetz, the business he and his wife, Naomi, started in Nyack in 2020. “We wanted to provide a safe space for people to be creative, where they could experience things they never experienced before – all in one space.” A guided paint-and-sip class, karaoke session, and an exciting cocktail list (“Fat-Washed Duck Bacon Old Fashioned” anyone?) are all on offer when perusing bookable experiences on their website.
When they began the process of setting up their business, the Clarkes researched different paint-and-sip franchise opportunities. They quickly abandoned the idea of a franchise, recognizing that the convenience of a cookie cutter approach was not worth compromising the bespoke experience they wanted for their clientele.
They knew that the type of “NYC artsy flair” they wanted to bring to their business would feel right at home in Nyack. They joke that “Rockland chose us!” and not the other way around, given that Nyack was a convenient spot between Westchester and New York City for the couple to meet up in the early days of their partnership.
Black Parakeetz sits in a nondescript space on the corner of the busy intersection of Route 59 and Route 9W in Nyack, in the same building that houses a David’s Check Cashing location and Western Union outpost. The building exterior is a far cry from the more urbane vibe of downtown’s outdoor dining and sounds of live music wafting out onto the sidewalk. Undeterred, the Clarkes have made their presence known to passersby through witty sandwich boards, a giant inflatable microphone waving people towards their parking lot, and visible branding all around the building.
Upon entering Black Parakeetz, customers surrender the fate of the evening to the Clarkes, who happily take the wheel. Both are experts at reading the room. They will adjust music genres on the playlist or jump on the mic to cajole shy karaoke participants. “Energy is key,” says Terry. “That’s how I know I’ve made an impact.” In fact, they are so good at creating just the right energy that by the end of the evening, people often don’t want to leave.
Although Terry’s corporate sales background and Naomi’s marketing and branding expertise in the fashion world provided excellent foundations on which to build their business, they knew there would still be a learning curve. Rather than allow skills gaps to hinder them, the Clarkes adopted a do-it-yourself attitude. Terry took a bartender course and curated the cocktail list. Naomi closely observed art instructors to learn how to guide paint-and-sip sessions. More than four years later, Terry still plays DJ and bartender, while Naomi doubles as paint instructor and chef.
Their keen business sense is based on an understanding of the interconnectedness of three key elements: Capital, Opportunity, and Customer. They continually refer to their business plan as a guide but allow for flexibility on how to reach their goals. They both embody that magic combination of being both businesspeople and creatives.
While much of the day-to-day operation relies on the two of them, they talk about the importance of the external environment and staying connected with the other businesses in the community. They pay close attention to what’s happening in the Village of Nyack. They are active members of the local Chamber of Commerce and can be seen sponsoring and participating in community events year-round. After all, their business model stems from a desire to bring people together and to spread joy.
When asked what drives them, Terry says, “100% faith” and commitment to their original vision, coupled with discipline. Naomi notes that building a successful business requires a lot of patience. At the end of the day, however, she says, “The reward is bigger than the sacrifice.” She relishes the satisfaction of taking a step back and celebrating the small wins and being able to say, “We created that!”
For more information about Black Parakeetz, visit https://blackparakeetztoo.com/