Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ching Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ching, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I realized there was a growing demand for face painting while we were running our inflatable business. Every time we attended a festival or event, my daughter would ask to get her face painted. On top of that, many of our inflatable rental customers would ask if we offered face painting services as well. Eventually, we decided to give simple balloon twisting another try after an eight-year break—we had attempted it before, but it turned out to be more difficult than we expected. I’m so glad we gave it another shot.

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

My husband—who’s the brain behind our entrepreneurial journey—first came up with the idea of investing in an inflatable business while we were on vacation. He noticed a truck that advertised inflatables, and that sparked the vision. We started small, investing in a children’s basketball inflatable and setting it up in a local mall. As we saved more money, we expanded to include an adult-sized basketball inflatable and several bounce houses for kids.

We operated in the mall until the 2008 economic downturn, which forced us to shift gears. That’s when we began traveling to festivals and events, even branching into selling Italian ice. But we soon realized it was wiser to reinvest in different types of inflatables—and along the way, we discovered that face painting was in even higher demand.

Though I wasn’t much of an artist at the time, I had enjoyed water art during my teen years and always had a love for the arts. I never imagined that one day it would become a way to support my family. It took months of practice, hours upon hours of research, and learning from other professionals to build my skills. I had to turn it into a true passion—and I continue to do so today. For a while, it was simply a job, but after the pandemic, it became something deeply therapeutic for me.

What sets me apart from other face painters is that I genuinely put myself in the client’s shoes. I strive to provide services that are both high-quality and affordable, making sure my pricing remains accessible without compromising professionalism. I exclusively use FDA-approved products—an essential standard in an industry where many self-proclaimed face painters operate without proper licensing or insurance. I also make an effort to accommodate any special requests or party themes, tailoring my designs to bring each client’s vision to life.

I maintain an up-to-date Certificate of Insurance and proper licensing to give my clients peace of mind. When someone calls to book but is working with a limited budget, I do my best to accommodate them. I often offer schools rates far below market value to support their events—and in return, many become loyal, repeat clients year after year.

While many inquiries are price shoppers, I take the opportunity to educate them on the importance of hiring licensed and insured professionals who use safe, quality products. I don’t mind being competitive—more often than not, those same clients return after shopping around. I also do my best to work around their preferred date and time, and when I’m unavailable, I have trusted face painting partners who can step in to ensure the client is still taken care of.

Communication and transparency are key to building trust and lasting relationships with clients. I want my potential customers to know that I’m transparent in every aspect of our interaction—from the initial inquiry to the end of their event. They can expect honesty, clarity, and professionalism every step of the way.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My advice to anyone pursuing entrepreneurship is simple: don’t give up. If you stay dedicated and keep pushing forward, success will follow. Think outside the box—creativity and visibility go hand in hand. There are countless platforms and social media resources available today; take advantage of them, learn from the best, and apply what you discover. Stay positive, even when your business isn’t performing as expected. Like any journey, entrepreneurship comes with highs and lows—so expect challenges, but never let them stop you.

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

What’s most rewarding about what I do now is that my husband and daughter—who have been with me throughout this journey—have also joined me in this business. It’s truly become a family endeavor. I love that we get to paint together, invent new designs, and celebrate one another’s creativity. One of my favorite parts is when we each put our own twist on a familiar design—because no two artists paint exactly the same.

My daughter, who just turned 18, began learning face painting with me when she was only 10 years old. She’s now launched her own face painting and simple balloon twisting business, and I couldn’t be more proud. She’s an incredibly talented artist, and the kids absolutely love her—especially because she’s young, fun, and full of energy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.colormefacepainting.biz/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colorme_facepainting/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D#
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/color-me-face-painting-jonesboro?osq=color+me+face+painting&override_cta=Get+pricing+%26+availability