We recently connected with Chloe Campbell and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chloe, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
Reflecting on my journey, I embarked on numerous small yet calculated risks, progressively paving the way to my current position as the founder of Cloud Studio. Perhaps the most significant risk I undertook was the decision to attend art school and fully commit myself to a career as an artist. It’s intriguing how I, a math and science enthusiast who coincidentally possessed a talent for painting, initially believed the medical path was my destined route. However, I swiftly recognized the imperative need to pursue my true passion.
I held a steadfast belief that success would come my way, regardless of the path I embarked upon. I have a strong faith in the power of determination and the capacity to overcome obstacles. Yet, the real challenge lay in persuading others that my chosen path was the right one for me. In this aspect, I consider myself truly fortunate to have had parents who stood by me, offering unwavering support and encouragement to pursue my dreams. Their belief in me played a pivotal role in shaping my journey.
Being an artist, regardless of the form or medium, offers a truly captivating career. From the perspective of the general public, there is often a tendency to view art as either a mere hobby or something reserved for those who have achieved fame. It seems that there is little recognition of the possibility of having a successful and stable career in the arts. What continues to amaze me is that even after dedicating seven years to this profession, I still encounter skepticism from certain individuals. When people inquire about my occupation and I reveal that I am an artist, their immediate response tends to be, “That sounds enjoyable, but how do you make a living?” It is at this point that I happily share with them that I have a team of six talented artists working with me, and together, we have the privilege of traveling the world, painting weddings and events. Then they take me seriously.
It’s common for people to encourage others to choose safe and conventional routes, like pursuing a career in the medical field or becoming a lawyer. However, what truly amazes me and brings immense satisfaction is when individuals dare to deviate from these expected paths. The most remarkable and rewarding experience for me was when two members of my team, who had previously been working in the medical field, made the courageous decision to join me. That moment was when I genuinely felt a deep sense of achievement and confirmation that I had made the right choice.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
About me:
As the founder and heartbeat of Cloud Studio, I have had the privilege of being both a successful artist and an accomplished business owner, challenging the stereotypes surrounding the artist’s journey. Encouraged and inspired by my family and friends to break free from traditional molds, I pursued my artistic career by graduating from the renowned Savannah College of Art and Design.
The turning point came when I painted my first wedding, and word-of-mouth referrals began to pour in, spreading the word about the beautiful and timeless keepsakes I created for couples on their special day. It was this overwhelming response that fueled the rapid growth of my painting business.
Yet, my aspirations extended beyond my own artistic endeavors. I envisioned using my business acumen to support and uplift other entrepreneurial artists, enabling them to focus on their craft and achieve sustainable success. This vision gave birth to Cloud Studio. The driving force behind Cloud Studio is not only to provide clients with unforgettable experiences but also to partner with fellow artists, empowering them to cultivate their unique styles and attain their goals of building thriving artistic businesses.
About Cloud Studio:
Cloud Studio boasts a team of exceptionally skilled artists who specialize in the captivating art of live event painting. Our artists not only provide on-site entertainment for guests but also create priceless artworks that serve as cherished treasures to take home. Our commitment to exceptional customization and service sets us apart. Each artist on our team is highly qualified, charismatic, and inspired. They infuse their passion into every painting, considering each stroke with care. Our goal is to transform your most special moments into irreplaceable keepsakes that capture the essence of your event.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
During my freshman year of college, I began painting weddings as a way to enjoy myself and earn some extra income on the side. At that time, there were only a handful of event painters known across the country. Little did I know how rapidly my business would expand. In those early years, event painting was a relatively unknown concept, which meant that, alongside my full-time studies, I devoted my spare time to reaching out to wedding planners and venues. I explained the unique nature of my service and how it could enhance their clients’ experiences.
In the world of luxury weddings, Charleston swiftly embraced my services, leading to an exponential growth in referrals. By the time I reached the end of my senior year, my calendar was fully booked for a year and a half, and I found myself regrettably having to decline numerous wedding requests. It was during this time that I came to the realization that I needed to assemble a team to meet the high demand – giving birth to Cloud Studio.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Managing a team has proven to be one of the most challenging aspects of my business, as well as in any business. I have always cherished the advice my parents gave me about raising children, emphasizing the need to parent each child differently because each child is different. This lesson resonates with managing a team as well. Taking the time to understand each team member as an individual, including how they prefer to receive feedback and praise, as well as their emotional well-being, has greatly contributed to my growth as a leader. By recognizing and respecting these individual differences, I am able to improve my ability to guide and support my team effectively.
If there’s one valuable piece of advice I can offer, it is to practice what you preach. I frequently emphasize the importance of integrity, and it is essential for me to lead by example in this regard. It is not enough to merely talk about it; I must consistently demonstrate integrity in my actions and decisions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cloudstudioagency.com
- Instagram: @bychloecampbell @cloudstudioagency
Image Credits
Harvey Hale, Katherine Beasley, and Eloise Patterson