We were lucky to catch up with Chelsea Davenport recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chelsea, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

What is a Portrait Park? Well that is the issue. You never hear of a “Portrait Park” where someone places different props all over a property then rents it out to customers. So trying to explain to insurance what this meant was a difficult one. But we figured it out….eventually. Sometimes I still wonder what to do next because it is such a unique business. I switch out props for every season…. but I have to create props that will with hold the outdoors and 100s of people that come visit. Almost reminds me sometimes of a “Micro amusement park” without the roller coaster…. but Hey that would be a cool prop someday! Ha! It will always be a learning process no matter what. You learn what works and what doesn’t then you fix it and move on. Kind of like life I suppose.

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

I have always had a passion for antique, unique, rustic objects when it came to decorating. I always have felt I have this side to me that can be very creative. I am in no way an interior or exterior designer. I definitely have my own taste in how I make things work. Sometimes I wish I did have a better background of design then maybe decorating would be easier for me. Ha! But I think what sets me apart from others is possibly stepping out and do things the wrong way. It may make it more difficult but it turns out beautiful and customers enjoy it. For example, when I paint my vintage trucks and cars… I do not have time or money to have someone paint them. So my husband and I purchased a paint sprayer and house paint does the job! It actually sticks very well! Not ideal but it works! I believe what sets me apart from others is even if someone does start building a business like mine… it can be similar but I have enough creativity in my own mind that even if they copy me…. next time I will still do it better. Is that conceded? Probably. But I guess that mind set is what keeps my business running and making myself a better business owner.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

I did quit my job and for about 10 months I did side jobs and lived off my savings. Then my husband brought home a 1955 Chevy that he purchased that was in fire and looked awful. He sat it in our yard and I just kept looking at it thinking what am I am going to do with that? Then one day it just hit me… paint it…. decorate it…. rent it. So that’s what I did. I started with one prop which led to many more being built. I started advertising on Facebook and it just started to spread from there. Each season I try to switch it out with new props I think people will enjoy and we go from there.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

What has helped us build our reputation with this business is our photographers. I say “our photographers” because I feel like they are family to me. Even though half of them I have never met. We rent our property to photographers or anyone who just wants to take their own pictures with their phone/camera. But I feel like I have helped a lot of photographers who come out here with their own business. Plus they do not have to purchase so many props each season or rent out expensive buildings/space all the time. That’s my job. But for me to continue on… I need them. They promote my business and bring their customers out here and in return I share their work on social media for others to see. So without them I am not sure how much I would’ve grown without their help.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.raisingrust.com
• Facebook: Raising Rust