Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Lebeau

Hi Brooke, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

I’ve always been one of the “art kids”. Growing up I loved drawing pictures of relatives or using up my parents’ Scotch Tape to craft sculptures with printer paper. When it came time to pick a career path, there was only one option. Art.

There were jokes about art degrees being a waste of time and innuendo suggesting that a creative profession wasn’t a “serious” one. I listened, and I considered the weight of those words, but it didn’t change my path. I’m a romantic at heart and I’ve always believed that there’s no point in doing something if you don’t feel good about it. My journey didn’t start out glamorous and most days, I’m still just working my way down a checklist like everybody else. But it’s my checklist and it took a long time to realize how much that mattered to me.

Being an artist is a good job. It’s a great job if you leverage your strengths in strategic ways. For me, it started with graphic design. I saw the opportunity to commercialize my strengths as an artist and create things that are both tangible and measurable. I love seeing the cause and effect of my work out in the world. There’s no better feeling than seeing good design increase engagement and transform a company’s image.

I spent seven years of my professional career at the same company before going out on my own. My previous role taught me what I needed to know about business and gave me a safe place, along with the most supportive colleagues a person could ask for, to figure it out. I watched, listened, and practiced the skills I needed to start Artfully Creative Studio.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Finding the balance between life and work is never simple.

I have clients on every coast with deadlines and milestones that never stop. It’s exciting and energetic. Most days, I love the movement but during certain chapters of life, it can seem near impossible to jump on for an 8am New York workday and finish up at a California 5pm. This year my family and I relocated from Austin, TX to Indianapolis, IN. Between moving boxes and coordinating the changes, maintaining a steady flow with my business has not been without its challenges.

I’ve always prided myself on the ability to manage time but my business kept growing and my time remained constrained. I had to get realistic and more importantly, I had to ask for help. It’s something I refused to do at the beginning of my career; admit that I needed assistance. It was a game of testing breaking points and I loved exceeding my own expectations, even if it was at the expense of my personal life. It’s something that I can’t do in my current circumstances and I’ve realized that asking for help isn’t the same as accepting defeat.

I’m the first person to tell you to throw caution to the wind and do it all. I’ll tell you to follow every little dream and passion with abandon but at the same time, you need a plan. You probably can’t do it all right this minute. You probably can’t do it all by yourself. Whether it’s friends or family, colleagues or clients, someone is there and might even be eager to help. The support I’ve received this year has been both surprising and humbling as I navigate this next chapter of life. It’s not simply about “doing it all”. Not without help.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

Artfully Creative is a full-service creative marketing agency that specializes in a total coverage branding approach. With experience ranging from website development to event planning, our clients have access to everything they need for a complete marketing plan. We craft a holistic strategy that cohesively applies a client’s brand while consolidating assets and programs in a way that focuses on the customer experience.

Artfully sets itself apart with the belief that adapting to existing workflows takes priority over introducing new technologies and systems. We strive to get programs up and running quickly and efficiently, without upending our client’s processes. To date, Artfully has proudly served over 20 clients and delivered hundreds of projects.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?

Staying motivated and appreciating the minutiae of day-to-day life can be challenging. I’m grateful to all those who share their stories, especially women, about the challenges they’ve faced and what they’ve learned. Two books that have stuck with me are Untamed by Glennon Doyle and Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis. I’ve found that stories like these remind me to keep my head trained on the bigger pictures while I focus on all the small details it takes to get where I want to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artfullycreates.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artfully_creates/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075904064411
• Other: https://www.brookelebeau.com/