We were lucky to catch up with Amy Brooks recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

I started Paradise Custom Glass when my kids were babies, and honestly, I wasn’t sure it was going to work. To avoid adding to our household expenses, I set up shop in the only available space we had—an interior room in our basement with no windows, a low ceiling, the heater humming behind me, and just enough room to shuffle around. It was hardly glamorous, but despite the dismal surroundings, I was committed to making beautiful things. I wanted my clients to feel like I was helping them craft their own version of paradise, and the name Paradise Custom Glass felt like the perfect reflection of that idea. Sometimes, when I stepped into that cramped little room, I’d mutter to myself, “Paradise lost…”—but then I’d get to work and rediscover the joy in creating lovely pieces.

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

The heart of my business lies in creating custom glass art tailored to each client. While I’ve made a number of pieces for businesses, the majority of my work is for homeowners who come to me with a vision—or sometimes a problem. They might have a bedroom window that lets in too much light, or a window in a place where they’d love a little more privacy. Other times, they want to highlight a gorgeous view or simply bring something beautiful and meaningful into their space.

I treat each project as a deeply personal collaboration. My goal is always to design something that feels like it was made just for them. I draw on a variety of techniques to add those special touches. One client asked me to honor his late wife by including her initial in a window I designed with her favorite flowers. I incorporated it in a way that was subtle—just for him. He told me it brought him such joy to see that.

Whether it’s inspired by a memory, a view, or a feeling, I use my clients’ stories as a launching point to create something truly one-of-a-kind. When the work is done, I want them to feel that they don’t just have a window—they have a piece of art that reflects who they are.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve learned a lot about myself while running my business, and that insight has led me to pivot more than once. I started my business in New Jersey about 25 years ago, working in an interior basement room while my kids napped. Once they started school, I convinced my husband that I’d be much happier and more productive working above ground, so we built a beautiful studio in the space where a garage might have gone. I loved that space—but when the pandemic hit, like so many others, we reevaluated our priorities and decided it was time for a big change. We moved to western North Carolina in search of a life closer to nature.

Wanting to re-establish my business and connect with the community, we bought a 125-year-old building in Morganton’s historic downtown. We live upstairs, and my shop is on the first floor—a gorgeous space with exposed brick walls, tall windows, and the original tin ceiling. It’s a great setup, except that instead of nature, our backyard is an actual parking lot.

Having a storefront has introduced me to so many wonderful people, and my business has grown in ways it never would have if I hadn’t planted myself downtown. But I’m easily distractible, and trying to create commissioned artwork while also running a retail space became increasingly difficult. So, I pivoted again—this time shifting to “by appointment only” hours, which gave me the focused time I needed to create.

Now, we’re preparing for yet another pivot: building a house on a lake about 20 minutes outside of town. While I know I’ll lose some of the foot traffic that comes with having a downtown storefront, I’m leaning into deeper connections—with clients, other artists, and the wider creative community. I love the freedom that being an artist gives me, and over time I’ve learned to listen to my instincts, trust my process, and shape a business that supports the life I want to live.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

One of the biggest things that has helped me build a strong reputation is recognizing what I don’t do well and finding people who do. Stained glass is an older art form, and many artists who do beautiful work aren’t especially tech savvy. Many of us struggle with things like photography, websites, and social media, which makes it hard for potential clients to discover us. Fortunately, early on, a fellow artist gave me a piece of advice that made a big difference; she suggested I hire a professional photographer.

At the time, I wasn’t making much money, and it felt like a big risk to spend part of my earnings on photos. But since most of my pieces are installed in private homes, photos are often the only way others can see what I do. The photographer I hired had never shot stained glass before, but he was curious and open, and together we figured out how to capture the light, texture, and detail of my work. The portfolio we built together has been invaluable to the growth of my business.

More recently, I realized that video could help people better understand the process behind my work. I applied for a grant to work with a professional videographer, and over the past few months, we’ve started creating a series of short videos that show what it’s like to commission a window. There’s definitely a learning curve, but I’ve already seen the impact on social media and customer engagement.

As a small business owner, I’ve learned that I don’t have to be good at everything—I just need to be resourceful enough to find collaborators who can help me share my work in the best possible light.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paradisecsg.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paradisecsg/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParadiseCustomGlass
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-brooks-7aa5a582/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@amybrooks9142