We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Heather Blake . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Heather below.

Alright, Heather thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I’m sitting at a bar with one of my good friends. I look across the table ( after several drinks) and I tell her. “I’m going to open my shop”. Naturally, she totally supports me and tells me it’s a great idea. She grabs the necklace I made her for Christmas and she says “ This is beautiful and other people need these.” I had a shop 4 years earlier. I was hand painting on tote bags and selling them. They were beautiful. Bright colors paired with Afrocentric patterns and themes. I loved them. I sold a few for a price too low and kept my shop open for another 2 years after my launch date. My bags were art and I had no idea how to sell art. My first attempt at an Etsy shop was a failure. I owed more than sold and was always in the red. Here, 2 years later I was in a bar discussing my very loose business plan with a friend to try the same thing again.

I was on my way to a concert. I had just gotten into crystals and wanted to wear one of my favorite stones. I watched a quick YouTube video about how to wrap crystals and decided- I can do that. I did and it was beautiful. I happily wore it around my neck and soaked up the compliments. “Where did you buy that?” and “Oh wow that’s beautiful” echoed in my ears days after the concert. People liked my necklaces. I started giving them as gifts and more and more people became interested in my work. So I took a risk- I opened a new shop. Bohosugarb was born and got to work building my brand. It has been an amazing experience. I am so glad I took the risk of opening a new shop and sharing my art with the world. Creativity is always a risk, you create something and you give it to the world to be judged, critiqued, loved, hated and everything in between. Creating is extremely personal and each time you participate in it you are giving the world a literal piece of you. Sharing your creations with the world is a true act of self love and bravery and it is always worth the risk.

Heather , 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?

Bohosugarb- Find your piece. Bohosugarb LLC seeks to provide a meaningful, healing experience to each and every customer through healing tools such as crystals, and crystal jewelry that is artfully designed. I provide one of a kind meaningful artfully designed jewelry and accessories. As a brand centered around healing and peace, I provide uniquely designed hand selected products that bring love and light into your everyday life. Bohosugarb was created by me ( Heather Blake) in 2018. Currently operating as an online shop with a few local boutiques featuring Bohosugarb accessories. My limited liability structure allows me to maintain a truly unique experience. None of the products are mass produced, each item is exclusive. At its core Bohosugarb is a small business in the business of helping people feel good, and heal.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Healing is not linear, nor does all healing “look” the same. Crystals are an amazing tool to aid you in your healing journey. Why not look great doing it? The necklaces I make not only have healing properties but they are one of a kind wearable art. I want to help people in a really beautiful way.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Funny enough I am in the middle of a pivot right now. I have been an educator for 17 year and I am currently ready to leave the classroom for Instructional Design. I absolutely loved teaching and educating students however my needs have changed. I would like to move into a role with a better work-life balance. One that will allow me to focus more on my business and my art. At this stage in my life I need a job with more daily creative freedom. As I have grown older, participating in activities that feel like creating have become increasingly important to my happiness. Wish me luck!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bohosugarb.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bohosugarb_llc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BohosugarB/
• Other: TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@bohosugarbllc?lang=en Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/Bohosugarb

Image Credits
All of the images were taken by me.