We recently connected with Emilie McClain and have shared our conversation below.

Emilie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

For a long time, I put my art on the back burner. I put working stable jobs first and would continue to tell myself that “One day, in my dream home, I’ll have a studio and can paint all day, whenever I want. With loud music!”. I would literally think this everyday.

I think after a while the stress of staying in a job that left me emotionally exhausted started to outweigh the fear of not knowing what would be next. I figured if I was going to feel overwhelmed, I’d rather be overwhelmed doing something that actually mattered to me. So, I made a decision that terrifying decision we’ve all thought of doing once or twice and quit my job. And I won’t lie, sometimes it gives me some anxiety that I did that. I’ve only ever known “You don’t quit a job unless you have mother job lined up” side of things. I saw a quote on Pinterest and it said “No risk, no story” – and it has become my new motto.

Since focusing on my passion, I’ve created a small business that blends my original artwork with music, fashion, and a little humor. I sell prints, journals, tote bags, and pieces that are meant to be inspiring, cute and fun.

Another risk was putting myself out there in ways I never had before – reaching out to other small businesses, pitching ideas, contacting writers, and shooting for unique opportunities. I realized the worst that could happen was a “no” – and that trying, even when it’s uncomfortable, is better than wondering “what if I had done this or that”.

And this risk is still unfolding. I’m figuring it out as I go. But I’ve never felt more aligned with what I’m doing – or more proud of the life I’m creating. Some days are scary. Some days are slow. But I would take this uncertainty over the regret of never trying.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, I’m Emilie McClain — an artist, content creator, creative director, and the founder of a business that blends art, fashion, humor, and emotional connection. At the core of what I do is storytelling through visual expression – whether that’s through a piece of artwork, a journal cover, or a funny Pinterest caption that makes someone feel seen.

Art has always been my language. I’ve been drawing and painting since I was little. Over time, creating became more than just a hobby – it started to become something I could live through. I didn’t always think I could turn it into a career, but I knew it was the one thing that always made me feel the most me.

Eventually, I took the leap to turn that creative spark into something real. I built a multi-faceted art brand where I design and sell products like:
• Original artwork, prints, and illustrations
• Custom commissions
• Journals, notebooks, and tote bags featuring my designs
• Cards, and home goods
• A soon-to-launch digital drawing class for creatives of all levels
• Fashion + home inspiration curated with affiliate links (Amazon + LTK)

But it’s not just about selling cute things (though they are really cute). I design with intention – every butterfly, fruit, or dreamy color palette is rooted in a feeling I want to create: lightness, warmth, confidence, nostalgia, humor, softness, or joy.

What sets my brand apart is how personal and layered it is. It’s not just art – it’s a whole experience. My content lives at the intersection of inspiration, design, and personality. I make things that are visually beautiful, but also emotionally resonant. My brand feels like a moodboard-meets-blog-meets-text-from-your-favorite-funny-friend. It’s deeply personal and deeply curated.

I also don’t try to “sell” in a pushy way. I like to make content that feels like real life – styling rooms around my art, putting together outfits that match a journal cover, sharing what inspired a certain design, or posting a relatable quote that perfectly sums up a chaotic day. I want people to discover something beautiful..

I think the problems I solve are mostly emotional:
• I help people find art and objects that brighten their space and their day.
• I help other creatives feel less alone in their journey.
• I remind people that it’s okay to be soft and strong at the same time.
• And I help people surround themselves with things that feel like them.

Something I’m most proud of is that I built this from scratch – with no rulebook, no investors, no creative team. Just me, my ideas, and the drive to make something that reflects who I am. I’ve taken risks, stayed up late designing and planning, learned how to run a business while staying true to my vision – and every part of it has been worth it. Seeing someone hang up my artwork in their home or carry a tote bag I designed still blows my mind. It leaves you with the question, do they like the art or do they like me? Both?

If I could leave readers or followers with one message, it’s this:
You don’t have to wait for permission to start. You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. And you don’t have to be “perfect” to make something meaningful. Your creativity is valid, your voice matters, and the thing that makes you different might just be the thing that sets you free.

My brand is here to celebrate beauty, emotion, softness, strength, and the kind of creativity that doesn’t fit in a box — and if you vibe with that, you’re already part of the story.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A huge lesson I’ve had to unlearn is the belief that you have to already “be someone” to start – that you need a big following, perfect branding, or all the answers before you can put yourself or your work out there.

I used to think I needed to wait until I had everything figured out – a perfect website, the right amount of followers, the perfect products – before I could call myself an artist or a business owner. I thought if I launched before I was “ready,” people wouldn’t take me seriously. But honestly? That mindset kept will keep you stuck.

The truth is, nothing about this journey has been perfect – and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful. Trial and error has taught me more than any course or plan ever could. Some of my favorite products, pieces, and ideas came out of experimenting, messing up, and figuring it out as I went.

I’ve learned that starting small, starting scrappy, starting real – that’s the magic. You don’t need to have a huge audience or everything in place to begin. What matters most is showing up as yourself and giving your ideas room to grow. I’m proud of the messy start, because it meant I was brave enough to begin.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

Yes, I sell through my own website, where I offer a range of products featuring my original artwork – like prints, journals, tote bags, notebooks, and more. Right now, I use a print-on-demand company to help fulfill orders, which allows me to stay focused on creating while still getting my designs into people’s hands. It’s been a great way to build the foundation of my business while keeping things manageable as a one-woman show.

But I definitely have bigger dreams for the future.

As my brand grows and I drive more traffic to my site, my hope is to eventually transition to a more hands-on fulfillment process – where I can custom-package every order myself (or with a mini dream team!). I’d love to make the unboxing experience feel as personal, thoughtful, and creative as the products themselves.

Long-term, one of my biggest goals is to open a physical storefront or studio space. I want people to be able to walk in, see the artwork in person, feel the textures, get inspired, and experience the brand in real life. I’d love to expand the products I offer and also use the space to give back to the community – whether it’s through workshops, events, collaborations, or just creating a space where art and connection can live side by side.

For now, I’m focused on growing my online presence and continuing to build a brand that feels meaningful, beautiful, and personal. But I’m dreaming big – and every order gets me one step closer to those goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.emiliemcclain.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiliemcclainart?igsh=d2owajBxNHhjdzFw&utm_source=qr