We recently connected with Allison Sims and have shared our conversation below.

Allison, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

Abraham Lincoln said…” all that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my mother”

I agree with this quote and attribute much of my success to both of my parents, especially my mother. My parents are entrepreneurs, since before I was born my parents have owned their own health business…educating people on nutritional health and how the body works. Growing up I saw my parents create their own business hours, bring my siblings and I to work with them and get up each and everyday doing something they love. Because of the flexibility in my parents schedule I was always with them.

I can remember my mother sitting on the floor with my siblings and I at their store coloring in coloring books, making jewelry, playdough sculptures and other various crafty activities. My mother always had a craft for us to do.

When I got a little bit older (maybe around 8/9) my mother took me to Wayne State for the Saturday art school. This was our little “mommy daughter date.” We’d get hot chocolate before I went to class for an hour or so, then I’d show her what I made that day. At the end of the 4/6 week class (I cant remember how long it was) there was an art show displaying all of our work during the duration of the class.

Fast forward to middle/high school my mother would get me books on origami, balloon twisting, jewelry making, knitting, book folding and anything else crafty. She bought beads, vases and canvases…unique things for me to paint. I would read the books and follow the directions on that particular craft, and once I got pretty good at it I would sell what I made in my parents store. For awhile I was really big into origami and would make flower bouquets…I sold quite a few to the customers that came into their store.

Going back to Abe Lincoln’s quote above…I owe my success to my mother. It was her love and encouragement that helped me get to this level in my career. I couldn’t have done it without her

Allison, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I would say my mother got me involved in “the arts.” She was always doing crafts with my siblings and I when we were young…I thought making crafts/painting was fun. When I was in middle school/high school I always was in an art class…I tell people being in art class ” was an easy A for me, it was like my gym class.”

After high school I had various “odd jobs” mainly receptionist work. I would just paint for fun and I’d get commissioned from time to time by close family and friends for a painting or piece of jewelry. I always liked the idea of getting paid doing what I love…I just didn’t know how to make it full-time right away.

In 2014, my family and I moved back to Michigan (from Memphis, TN.). A couple years after that (2016) I came up with 10|7. 10|7 is a Detroit inspired apparel line named after my birthday (October 7). Once I started the apparel line I signed up to become a vendor at Eastern Market. I figured this would be a great environment to bring bring awareness to my brand/work without having a brick and mortar at the time. I immediately got accepted…and I’ve been there every Sunday season since I initially applied. Being at Eastern Market, I sell the apparel as well as some of the paintings I make.

It wasn’t until 2020 when I started getting the “bigger jobs”. At this time I was working in marketing. I believe it was around Feb/March (pre covid shutdown lol) I met an owner of a recording studio in Oak Park. He was telling me he wanted the restroom painted so it would be a great photo-op for anyone that came in. He gave me complete creative freedom to paint whatever I wanted in the restroom. I decided on a designer cartoon theme. This was my very first mural ever! It took over 147 hours to complete and all hand painted.

Once the restroom was completed I got a ton of positive feedback from friends/family but I remained working at the marketing firm…still painting on the side and going to Eastern market on Sunday’s. I’d say about 6 months after the restroom was finished I began to get commissioned for more mural work and collaborations with the Detroit Pistons.

Late 2021 (Otc/Nov) I resigned from my position at the marketing firm. At this point I was having steady art income…customizing shoes, murals, going to Eastern Market and other various art commissions. I have been self-employed ever since.

With every client/commission I get I’m very grateful for each opportunity and proud of the growth I see in my work and the confidence I gain in myself as an artist. I would say I’m most proud of the collaborations I’ve had with the Detroit Pistons. Working with the Pistons is something I’ve always dreamed of doing and to see it come true is amazing.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being able to earn a living painting and having flexibility in my schedule is great. I would say the most rewarding part of being an artist is seeing my client’s reactions to my work once it’s finished. For me, painting and creating unique pieces has always been something I love to do. Meeting clients that love an appreciate my work so much just makes the job even more rewarding. I’ve had clients cry once they’ve received their finished piece.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’m still building my social media audience, but I will say it has increased. I’ve found that posting progress videos of a project I’m working on and videos of me painting has increased my following. I know consistency is key…lol so I’m still working on putting together content to post everyday.

Contact Info:

• Website: 10-7byasims.com
• Instagram: 107allison
• Facebook: Allison Sims
• Linkedin: Allison Sims
• Other: TikTok: @asimspaintedthat new website to come!! almost ready to launch! the url is: 10-7byasims.com

Image Credits
the artist picture of me (with the boxing gloves) was taken by Ray “Trilogybeats” Rogers. Instagram: @trilogybeats313 all other pictures of the art were taken by myself