We recently connected with Courtney Bridges and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Courtney thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The more we talk about good leadership the more we think good leadership practices will spread and so we’d love for you to tell us a story about the best boss you’ve had and what they were like or what they did that was so great?

I’ve been fortunate to work with many talented leaders throughout my career, but one individual who truly stands out is Brian Trekell, the original owner of Trekell Art Supplies. Brian had a remarkable ability to empower his team and foster an environment of trust and creativity.

One aspect of Brian’s leadership that left a lasting impact on me was his approach to giving me the freedom to innovate and explore within my role. When tasked with growing the art supply side of the business, Brian trusted me implicitly and never micromanaged my decisions. Instead, he encouraged me to be authentic in my interactions with artists and on social media platforms, allowing me to fully express my creativity and ideas.

This level of autonomy and trust not only allowed me to thrive personally but also had a profound impact on the success of Trekell Art Supplies as a whole. It enabled us to stand apart from other brands in the industry and truly connect with our community of artists on a deeper level.

Brian’s leadership style taught me the importance of empowering others, fostering a culture of trust, and embracing creativity and individuality within a team. His mentorship not only shaped my professional growth but also instilled in me a profound appreciation for the power of authentic leadership.

Courtney, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve always been driven by a passion for creativity and a desire to make a difference in the world of art supplies. My journey with Trekell began right out of high school, at a time when I was eager to start working and gain real-world experience. While I had aspirations of attending college, traditional schooling wasn’t necessarily my forte.

When I first joined Trekell, the company primarily focused on producing private label nail brushes, with artist brushes being a small fraction of our business. However, under the guidance of Brian Trekell, the original owner, I was entrusted with the challenge of growing our brand within the art community.

Harnessing the power of social media, I embarked on a mission to connect with artists from all corners of the globe and introduce them to the exceptional quality and unique offerings of Trekell Art Supplies. What truly sets us apart in the world of art supplies is our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality materials, including unique canvas shapes, and our dedication to inclusivity in the art we represent. At Trekell, everyone is welcome, regardless of background or skill level.

I’m incredibly proud of the growth and impact we’ve achieved as a brand, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have played a role in shaping Trekell’s journey. Moving forward, I’m excited to continue expanding our reach, fostering creativity, and empowering artists worldwide to express themselves freely through their craft. What I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about Trekell is that we’re more than just an art supply company—we’re a community of passionate creators dedicated to elevating the art world together.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building our audience on social media has been a journey filled with learning, experimentation, and adaptation. We were fortunate to have established our brand presence on Instagram early on when the platform was still emerging. During those early days, it was relatively easier to gain visibility and engage with our audience.

One of the key strategies that contributed to our success was collaborating with artists, even before the concept of ‘influencers’ became mainstream. These collaborations not only helped us showcase our products but also fostered genuine connections within the art community, leading to increased recognition and engagement.

For those who are just starting to build their social media presence, my advice would be to focus on creating high-quality, engaging content. In today’s digital landscape, simply posting random pictures won’t cut it anymore. You need to invest time and effort into crafting content that resonates with your audience and adds value to their lives.

I make it a point to stay informed about the latest trends and observe what other brands and individuals are doing on social media. Even if it’s not directly related to art supplies, I find ways to adapt and recreate successful strategies to fit our business model. Keeping up with trends and staying relevant is crucial in today’s fast-paced digital world.

Consistency is also key. Whether it’s posting regularly, engaging with your audience, or experimenting with new content formats, consistency builds trust and credibility with your followers over time.

Ultimately, building a strong social media presence requires dedication, creativity, and a willingness to adapt to changing trends and algorithms. By staying authentic, providing value, and connecting with your audience on a personal level, you can build a thriving community around your brand that fosters long-term success.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Manufacturing our products has been an integral part of Trekell’s journey, with each product telling its own unique story of craftsmanship and innovation. When it comes to our brushes, we initially manufactured them in-house, leveraging a team of skilled headmakers who mastered the art of brushmaking over years of dedication and practice. However, as our team of headmakers began to retire, we faced challenges in replacing them due to the highly specialized nature of their craft.

To ensure the continued quality and consistency of our brushes, we made the decision to partner with a trusted vendor who had been supplying us with raw materials for our brushes. This allowed us to maintain the same high standards of quality while shifting the manufacturing process externally.

The idea for our wooden canvases came from one of our Pro Team Artists, Greg “Craola” Simkins, who suggested that we start producing them. Inspired by Greg’s own family tradition of making wooden canvases, he graciously invited us into his home to learn the process firsthand from his father, George. This invaluable mentorship and collaboration led us to establish a dedicated woodshop equipped with a CNC router to produce our unique wooden canvases, adding a new dimension to our product lineup.

In addition to brushes and canvases, we also manufacture our artist soap and brush restorer in-house. The internet has been a valuable resource for gathering information and insights into the manufacturing process, allowing us to refine our techniques and ensure the highest quality standards for our products.

Throughout our manufacturing journey, one of the key lessons we’ve learned is the importance of efficiency. By focusing on our top-selling products and optimizing our manufacturing processes, we’ve been able to streamline operations and maximize profitability. Rather than trying to offer everything to everyone, we’ve found success in concentrating our efforts on the products that resonate most with our customers, ultimately driving long-term success and sustainability for Trekell Art Supplies.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.trekell.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trekell_art_supplies/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrekellArtSupplies/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-bridges-81374b14/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Trekell_art
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_t3BMmjEkHfcUAT-Ga3-sQ?view_as=subscriber