Just in time for summer and endless beach days - we are happy to feature one of our favorite local artists and very talented friends!

Brynn Casey is an Atlanta-based artist who specializes in water-scapes.

We chatted with Brynn and dove into:

• What she does and what it means to run a creative business

• Where she finds her muse

• Her advice for other small business owners and the lessons she’s learned along the way

You’ll love Brynn and all of her work!

Plus, she just released new Coastal Landscape Drawings.

(Last we checked there are only FOUR amazing pieces left! Go grab yours!)

1. Why paint oceans? What emotions do you feel when you're standing at the water's edge?

I began painting oceans back in college when I was experiencing a challenging season in my personal life. I felt like God was asking me to take a leap of faith and "walk on water" in trust that He will carry me.

 2. What would be the lesson you'd give other businesses to build long-term success? 

I wish I knew a more comprehensive answer, but I feel like I am learning this myself, too. 

I am learning that hiring someone for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength.

Admitting to myself that I can't do it all is a big pill to swallow, but this year I hired a designer/creative director and it's been extremely life changing and business-altering for us.

I hope to build the courage one day to hire a shipping/packing manager as well as a personal assistant soon.. once I get the guts!

3. What is one relationship every business owner needs to have?

Find people who you can trust are there for your best interest. 

Sometimes in this industry, it can feel like someone is trying to get to know me for what they can get from me, not because they just want to know me and be a good friend. I feel like I've worked hard to find creative buddies who want the best for one another and who have pure intentions. 

My mentor, Britt Bass, is an artist who I apprenticed under right after college, and then worked alongside a few years after. Watching her do her thing was invaluable as I picked up on the ins and outs of running a small creative business!  

4. What was your biggest struggle in creating a pricing structure, standing by it, and knowing when and how to increase it?

My biggest struggle was when people would make comments about my pricing.

I am a people pleaser and hate "disappointing" people and just want to give them what they want, so it became hard at first when I had to turn people away if my work wasn't in their budget.

I quickly learned, though, that becoming a profitable business and providing for my family was much more important than making one person happy. 

I had a business mentor, Shanna Skidmore, teach me that if I am selling over 70% of my products within the first week (for example, selling 7/10 or more paintings on a launch day), then it’s time to up my pricing by 15%.

I still stick to this rule*

*Generally! 

5. How do you determine your pace for creating social media content?

I usually determine this structure based on what is happening that month within my business.

We have a flow now where I create about 5 collections a year and we work backwards from the "launch dates" of each of those collections. 

I let the original artwork or new product launches drive the pace of the content, picking up marketing and pushing for sales as we get closer to a launch date and then allowing for more "fun" or simply creative or service-minded posts/content when I am just beginning or in the middle of working on the next collection. 

6. What has most surprised you about running this business?

I think I've been most surprised about how truly tiring and BUSY it is.

I didn't realize the intense ins and outs that a small business demands - including newsletter email content, social media presence, website updates, answering emails, attending to questions on social media, taxes, creating new content, creating new products, OH and creating the actual artwork... :) 

And to be honest, I struggle a lot with comparison, so this is something I'm still working through. 

I do have confidence in my work itself and I feel really happy with the work I create, so I try to stay in my lane and remember that saying yes to something is always saying no to something else.

I remind myself that all my choices (whether it is saying no to more projects, or yes) directly affect the rest of my life, so if I want to have a happy life, I need to consider my PERSONAL needs and desires, not just do what everyone else is doing so I can feel I’m "keeping up with them."

we loved learning from you, brynn!

Here are three things that stood out to us:

1. work out of a place of passion and find the courage to hire the right help to keep it possible.

2. embrace rhythms in your social media content and think about a monthly / annual plan.

3. understand Every “Yes” impacts all of life, and know when to say “YES” to A new pricing model.

If you loved learning about her brand, please let her know! Now, go add beautiful things to your life and stay connected with Brynn and her art.

• Bring Brynn Casey Art to your home.

• Follow Brynn on Instagram to keep up with her latest collections and cute fam.

• Contact Brynn about a custom piece.