We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Huskins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.

Kelly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?

During my furniture painting journey, I observed a certain level of exclusivity among brands within the industry. It appeared that each brand had a dedicated following, but many of these enthusiasts were more devoted to the brand itself rather than the craft. Upon founding Eye Love Hue, I made it my mission to create an inclusive environment that honors and celebrates artists, regardless of the product they choose to utilize. Ultimately, my focus is centered on the artists themselves, as they are the true driving force behind the beauty and creativity of the craft.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Creativity has always been an integral part of my being. From a young age, I knew that I wanted to channel my innate artistic talent into a successful career. With the support and guidance of my parents, at the tender age of 14, I took the bold step of starting my own business, creating custom stained glass panels for clients. Over the years, I have pursued numerous creative endeavors, including upholstery, interior design, and now digital art. The pursuit of new creative skills and the constant expansion of my bag of tricks is a never-ending journey that keeps me energized and excited about what the future holds. The joy of self-expression and the satisfaction of bringing beauty into the world through my art is a constant source of inspiration and motivation for me, driving me to continue exploring and pushing the boundaries of what I can achieve through creativity.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my creative journey has been the opportunity to inspire and empower others to follow their own passions. Through my work, I have found a sense of purpose in creating products that fellow artists can use to elevate their own creative journeys. It brings me immense joy to know that I can contribute to the artistic expression of others, helping them to unleash their inner creativity and bring their unique visions to life. It is my firm belief that when we support and uplift one another, we all have the potential to achieve greatness and make a positive impact on the world through our art.

I am fortunate to be the owner of two companies that synergize seamlessly. Eye Love Hue specializes in acrylic mineral paints that cater to both furniture and canvas artists, as well as DIY enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Whimsykel focuses on painting unique furniture pieces and creating digital art designs, which has led to the development of a new line of decoupage papers called Furniture Tattoos. Through these two ventures, I am able to marry my passion for creating stunning pieces of art with my entrepreneurial spirit, providing a range of products and services that appeal to a wide audience of creative individuals. It is a true joy to be able to share my love for the arts in this way and to see how my work has the power to transform and beautify the spaces around us and give artists the tools to beautify their own creations.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

In the wake of my partner Eric’s unexpected passing, I found myself with only $149 to my name and no clear path forward. I moved back in with my parents to regroup and begin the process of rebuilding my life. As someone who had always enjoyed painting furniture during my time as an interior decorator, I decided to purchase a small cabinet for $20 and turned to my furniture painting art once again. Although my heart was heavy and my future uncertain, the act of creating something beautiful with my own two hands brought me a small glimmer of hope and a renewed sense of purpose.

Initially, my plan was to sell the furniture piece that I had painted, but as I worked on it, I found myself experiencing a series of emotions and clarity that ultimately led me to decide to keep it. Instead, I bought another piece to flip, and with each successful sale, I poured every penny back into my budding business. Along the way, I experimented with various paint products and even tried reaching out to several boutique-style companies to see about becoming an affiliate. Unfortunately, as this was before affiliate programs were commonplace in our industry, I faced repeated rejections from these companies. It was then that I realized I needed to take matters into my own hands and create my own paint company, one that would provide opportunities for affiliates and help others who shared my passion to earn extra income doing what they loved.

As the relevance of affiliate links became increasingly apparent in my industry, I found myself faced with a difficult decision: do I give up on my own vision and become a content creator for an established company, or do I continue to pursue what I had started? Fortunately, I had a wonderful friend who believed in me and my dreams, and he was willing to invest in my company to help jumpstart its growth. With his support, I decided to go all in and continue to work towards making my dream a reality. After a year and a half of tireless effort, I was finally able to take the next steps forward and make my Eye Love Hue paint company official.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Throughout my journey, I have had to make numerous pivots and changes, but with each one, I have gained valuable lessons and experiences that I am incredibly grateful for. Out of all the pivots I’ve had to make, navigating the supply chain crisis was undoubtedly the most stressful. With the scarcity of jars and paint supplies, finding the necessary resources became an increasingly difficult challenge to navigate but gratefully we survived and people were very understanding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eyelovehue.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyelovehuepaint
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eyelovehuepaint
• Other: https://www.whimsykel.com https://www.facebook.com/whimsykel