We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anna O’Connor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I came up with the name of my company Black Eyed Bunny, one day as I was listening to an episode of one of my favorite podcasts , Astonishing Legends. The episode was about The Black Eyed Kids a strange phenomenon where people have been approached by children sometimes by a knock on their home door and for various reasons ask if they can enter the home. I have always been intrigued by the Black Eyed Kids – cute but extremely scary and I love extremely cute things and like throwing in other different things. I am a photographer and like the possibilities for a visual story that these extremes together present.

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

I am an artist/painter/vintage seller. I have run the gamut of art ventures from the early years as a sign painter, jewelry designer, photographer,- showing in Exhibits, craft fairs and solo shows, painter, etc. I have always loved shopping in antique malls or buying original art pieces. I am now able to incorporate all the things I love into my business.

Everything I sell I love and find beautiful, unique, etc. I have a little of everything for many different tastes and my customers come to me for different items for themselves or something special, different , or meaningful for others or pieces to add to their collections.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I had a full time job as a graphic artist/photographer for 19 years at Vanderbilt University. My job provided stability for major life events but I was not happy creatively and had been selling and doing artistic projects such as upholstering, painting furniture and repurposing and selling on my off time to be able to have my own business. I wanted to be my own boss and do something full time that I had a passion for that I looked forward to waking up to each morning. I wanted something I found exciting, creative, fun and made me happy each day. I have been able to build my business by word of mouth, social media, great supportive customers, other sellers and friends and businesses that help by sharing a piece of furniture I painted that they bought from me or something they bought from me or other sellers sending customers looking for something particular my way.

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

I treat my customers and others the way I would like to be treated. I have no patience and I don’t like to wait! When I receive a message from someone interested in something painted or something I am selling I try my best to respond immediately. I also get to other areas outside of my immediate area for customers in other areas and I ship out everyday to customers in the United States and Canada.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: blackeyebunny
• Facebook: anna.oconnor..94

Image Credits
Anna O’Connor