Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elliana Harig. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Elliana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I have been creating for as long as I can remember. Art class was always my favorite subject in school but I didnt believe it could ever be more than a hobby. In highschool I was pushed very hard to go to college, but my only “creative career” option was a graphic design school. Because of classes I took before I graduated, I knew that I did not enjoy the digital side of the art industry. I enjoyed the material, but I couldnt stand the thought of sitting in front of a screen all day every day. One of my favorite parts of creating is how hands on the process is. I didnt want to give that up, and I didnt want to settle for a career that I wouldn’t be happy in. I have always believed that a career should be something you love and thrive in. Because of this, I decided not to go to college, and work in other creative outlets. I worked at a few different screen print shops, designing and printing clothing. From there I went into the vinyl industry and got hands on experience in print and working with vinyl application. Again, I enjoyed all of these experiences, but in the back of my mind I knew there was more for me out there somewhere.

Fast forward to 2020, I was sick of my job but was enjoying planning my dream wedding. When the pandemic hit, I was laid off and our wedding plans crumbled. We decided we didnt want to wait, so we eloped. I wanted some type of wedding decor but that was nearly impossible because of shipping delays and everything being shut down. I decided to try making my own signage for our special day and it was a huge hit! This is when I knew it was time for me to take the leap and create my dream career. I found something I loved, and could pursue full time, in an industry that rarely sleeps. I truly love what I do and the clients I work with. It is everything I have been wanting to do, but had no idea how to ever start. I am so thankful for all of the experiences that brought me here, and the opportunity to make my own path.

Elliana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As I said before, Brushletter Boards was born from making my own wedding decor! I am known for my unique signage and for providing an easier process when it comes to creating and placing an order. A lot of brides have shared that trying to order custom pieces from online shops can be overwhelming and frustrating due to limited options, or lack of communication with the artist. I start by discovering the brides aesthetic for her big day, and we work off of that to create digital mockups where they can see the image prior to starting their signs.

All of my designs are hand-lettered and hand-painted individually. I specifically chose hand lettering rather than using vinyl to ensure that every design is one of a kind. I believe that is what sets me apart from others in this industry. When working with a customer, my goal is to allow them total creative control in color, materials, design and fonts. I offer a variety of wood and acrylic wedding packages that are fully customizable, and available to brides across the U.S. For local brides, I have an inventory of rental options such as easels and decorative mirrors that are waiting to be lettered. The majority of my wedding signs can also double as home decor after the big day. Recently I decided to expand my sign services to businesses, realtors, and customers interested in home decor. As much as I love what is available in stores, sometimes you just need a personal touch. I pride myself on being able to look at inspiration photos a customer has sent me and creating a design from those.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I absoutely love working with each and every customer I have. The joy they express when I tell them I can create the exact pieces they are looking for is by far, the most rewarding part! So many people have very creative ideas, but are frustrated because they dont think they can ever bring them to life. With my skill set, I am able to bridge that gap. During the design process, I encourage clients to communicate with me as often as they need and with all questions they may have. This opens the door for me to get to know them better, and I have formed so many awesome connections because of it. Honestly, it boils down to the relationship side of business. I love interacting with brides because they are so excited to be planning every detail of their day and I allow a space for them to have total creative control, without the work!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn is that I do not need a degree to become a business owner. In highschool, every teacher pushed me to go to college depsite not knowing what I wanted to do. I honestly thought it was silly for me to spend so much money on an education without having any sense of direction. As much as I was confident in my decision not to go to college, there was always the doubt looming in the back of my mind that I am simply unqualified.

Dont get me wrong, there are many advantages to going to college. But I have learned, and am still learning, that if you chase your dreams, and pour your passion into it, you can make them your reality. Yes, I only have a high school education, but because of classes taken and the industries I worked in after highschool, I was taught the skills that I needed in a completely different way! Graphic Design classes taught me how to use design software for digital mockups and also how to build a website. Working for different print companies taught me how to bring someones idea from their mind, to a physical product. And even the vinyl company taught me skills I used in my office to this day!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brushletterboards.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/brushletterboards
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/brushletterboards