Creative Entrepreneur
Meet Amanda R. Carlson Back in the early aughts, Amanda R. Carlson was hosting a house party for 30 people who didn't know each other and needed an icebreaker. She searched high and low for a good party game but only came across murder mysteries. "It was
Creative Entrepreneur
Meet Alexandra Tinsley Alexandra Tinsley weaves her talents as an illustrator into retro-inspired designs. With a penchant for nature puns and vibrant patterns, Alexandra's work radiates charm. She sells unique pins, patches, stickers, and more in her online shop, Wild Hunt. Additionally, Alexandra specializes in creating brand identities
art
For artists like Kimberly Lavon, the struggle is real. Constantly on the move, her sketchbooks often become beat up and disorganized, a common frustration for artists, writers and anyone who carries around a notebook. “I was tired of dealing with damaged sketchbooks. I wanted something simple and effective to keep
Creative Entrepreneur
Ann Chikahisa gives off an artsy, spiritual vibe, so it may surprise you that she worked in the corporate world for years before stepping into full-time jewelry design, creating bold, empowering pieces. Today, every piece of Chikahisa Studio jewelry is handmade with materials sourced from suppliers that prioritize sustainability and
Creative Entrepreneur
Nearly every time we interview a creative entrepreneur, we ask what advice they wish they’d gotten before starting their business. Here’s what they told us. Start small Several creative entrepreneurs mentioned beginning with a modest approach, evaluating the business concept, and proceeding with caution when expanding. “It’s
art
Bianca Valencia Criscuolo is a contemporary fine artist who works predominantly in oils, carving out a realm where creativity and conviction intertwine. When the artist isn’t taking her brush to canvas, she creates detailed pen-and-ink illustrations and also works in mixed media. For Bianca, pursuing art as a business
Creative Entrepreneur
Candlemaker Gloria Young is the spark behind Hudson Avenue Company, a New England-based business. In her interview, Gloria shares her unexpected beginnings, noting the chance events that led her from making candles as a hobby to selling them in retail shops. Continue reading Gloria’s story below. How did your
art
Artist Kay Collier, also known as Kathryn Hastings, revives the lost art of letter writing with her elegant collections of wax seals, stationery and letter-writing tools. Kay’s designs are ideal for personal and special-occasion correspondence, such as wedding invitations. With a keen eye for detail and a dedication to
artisanal food
Elisa Lyew was working as a pastry chef when she realized that restaurants offered few nutritious desserts, which gave her an idea. The chef began a side hustle, making pastries with wholesome ingredients and natural low-glycemic sweeteners. Today, she owns Elisa’s Love Bites, a dessert atelier in New York
Creative Business Tips
There’s a new online marketplace for artisans in town: Handmade.com. Although the site just launched this year, Handmade.com’s founders are industry veterans. They’re the same people who brought us the social-impact marketplace NOVICA. If you’re not familiar with the company, NOVICA helps artisans in
Creative Entrepreneur
Giving her guests cotton candy as a wedding favor intrigued Emily Harpel, but she found the options available at the time unappetizing. “It was honestly a little scary—clear packaging that didn’t look food safe with a giant red clown on it,” Emily said. She realized she had an
art
Ellen Jenny Watkins is a heart-healing abstract artist, author and certified coach who uses art and creativity for transformation and personal growth. Although being an artist entrepreneur was always in Ellen’s heart, she pursued a corporate career and stayed on the path for over two decades. Despite achieving success
Creative Entrepreneur
Founder Lucie Voves’ journey into the custom framing and art world began not with a business plan but with a sentimental search. Her company, Church Hill Classics, makes bespoke diploma frames, and it all started in her basement. Let’s hear from Lucie on her highly successful foray into handcrafted
Creative Entrepreneur
Have you ever felt as if your creative path was just meant to be? That’s precisely how Sonali Dixit feels about her foray into jewelry design. Growing up in Kathmandu, Nepal, a city famed for its rich artistic traditions, she was immersed in creativity practically from birth. “It’s
beauty
When you think of artisan goods, you probably don’t think about hair extensions or wigs, but Nikia Londy, hairstylist extraordinaire and owner of Intriguing Hair in Boston, is an artist. She and her small team sew wigs and hair extensions by hand from ethically sourced and fair-trade human hair,
Running a Creative Business
By Nina Christy Art, as you know, is a form of expression that communicates powerful messages through various mediums such as painting, sculpture and photography. Some artists and artisans invest years of their lives perfecting their craft, mastering techniques and developing their own unique style. Despite all their hard work,