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Written by HBM
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 | | business opportunities |
Former Magician Turns Ordinary Ceilings into Starry Skies
While camping in the mountains of Northern Arizona, Joe Petrashek was struck by the awe-inspiring beauty of the night sky. "The stars are so awesome up here!" he thought. "Some people have never seen the starry night sky as incredible as this. And most people never will." Joe woke in the middle of the night with a new desire to bring that incredible view of the night sky to everyone.
When Joe returned home to Chandler, Arizona, the former magician obtained some standard glow-in-the-dark paint and practiced painting what he saw that night in the mountains. When he was proficient enough, he painted his ceiling. With a flick of the light switch, the stars began to shine.
“All my friends were asking me if I could do their bedrooms, too,” Joe says. So, in 1979, Joe started the painting Starscapes® professionally. Determined to share his magical illusion with others, he began Starscapes® International (www.starscapes.com). Over the past 27 years, Joe has painted billions and billions of stars, in both private residences and hotels.
Since Joe’s Starscapes are astronomically correct, all the constellations appear exactly as they would in the night sky. Because of this, clients can custom order a particular sky to commemorate any important date, anywhere in the world. “People can get them designed to match the same day they were married,” Joe says. “Or get one that matches their birthday.”
In 1991, Joe began training others. Sixteen years later, Starscapes has trained over 6,000 “illusionists” worldwide with a unique product to offer a market that has no competition. Joe excites new associates by telling them, “One day, everyone in your city will be relaxing and sleeping under the stars. Shouldn't you be the one that gives it to them?”
Joe enjoys it so much that he still paints ceilings himself, providing a window to the universe for anyone who wants one. “I still do it, because there is nothing better than turning off the lights in someone’s bedroom, and listening to their response,” he says. "It’s a pretty cool business from such a crazy idea. Why wish for the moon, when you can have the stars?" HBM
Joe offers a free introductory business package (normally $39) to the readers of Home Business® Magazine. For more information, visit www.starscapes.com.
Previously published in the February 2007 issue of HOME BUSINESS® Magazine, an international publication for the growing and dynamic home-based market. Available on newsstands, in bookstores and chain stores, and via subscriptions ($15.00 for 1 year, six issues). Visit www.homebusinessmag.com
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