We recently connected with India Wilson and have shared our conversation below.

India , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

In 2015 I was working at Agape Amour childcare center. I found joy in using art to educate the children as well as making the children out of paper and putting them on bulletin boards. After discovering I could draw I decided to create paper portraits of artist in baltimore that inspired me. This was the start of my journey to becoming an artist. As I created I loved how freeing and therapeutic the collaging & painting experience was.I was able to bond with my two sons, use my art as creative expression and heal at the same time. It wasn’t until after I created a paper portrait of Sade that she got a call from Aunt Cupcake asking if I could host a party recreating that same Sade piece. After trying to talk myself out of it I realized that this may actually be my calling so I said yes and did my first party scared. The first party was so fun and liberating and feedback was amazing. March 4, 2015 Sip & Paper was born. A year after I collaborated with Sherae to make some paper & paint pieces for an art show & shortly after we became business partners. From there we birthed Paper & Paint and added it as an experience under Sip & Paper. Sherae joined the Sip & Paper team last year & we are so blessed to have her. From booking 5 parties in 2015 to booking 20 + a year is a true testimony that God will make room for your gifts. We have been able to curate an experience for over 1000 women, families, and children that allows them to unwind, bond, create and heal creatively.

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.

I am an idea engine , Artist & expert at creating one-of-a-kind experiences & workshops using paper, glue, & paint to empower women & children to heal creatively, unwind, bond, and celebrate. I got into this industry & started Sip & Paper after creating kids out of paper for bulletin boards at my previous job. I began making paper portraits of the artist in Baltimore that inspired me & was asked to do a party recreating one of those paper portraits. This was the birth of my artist journey. I explored other mediums on the journey and I now consider myself a mixed media artist.

What sets me apart from others is my faith in God & willingness to pour into other artist. I don’t gate-keep. Entrepreneurship is a journey and I don’t mind sharing ideas ,tips , or tricks to make it a little less bumpy and more successful for the next person.

I have worked with children for over 20 years and have led over 100 Sip & Paper events for women & children. I am currently working on collaborating Sip & Paper & my other brand Creating Artrepreneurs to teach youth and young adults what she has learned on this journey. through workshops and experiences that will help unlock their creativity and become Artrepreneurs.

I am most proud of a few things … Of my children because they keep me going on the days I want to give up. I am proud of sharing my gifts & art .Being able to curate experiences and art that have a life long impact on people. and Showing my children & other youth in our city how to create art & to create revenue from it makes my heart smile.
I want potential followers, fans, & clients to know that it’s so much more to collaging and painting & that using it can be healing & a form of self care.

As a graduate of Morgan State University, with a degree in family and consumer science, India has used her education to further help others connect and heal through art.

When not creating India is spending time with her two sons, fiancé , friends, and family. She can also be found at museums, brunch, or singing karaoke!

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

I had to unlearn that I can do it all. For the most part it’s been me and my mom. She divorced my dad early and my siblings are all older. I can literally do everything on my own. For years I didn’t even want to except help. I ran Sip & Paper alone for 6 years, worked, and was still mothering. I bounced ideas of my owned head and prepped parties for hours by hand by myself.I had to learn that I don’t have to do everything alone and asking for help doesn’t make me less of a women, mom , or friend. Life is much softer :)

How’d you meet your business partner?

Me and Sherae grew up together in church & are family. She has always been artsy, me not so much. Her mom told us years ago that we are alike creatures and that God had plans for us together. & here we are years later walking in that prophecy.

Contact Info:

• Website: Sipandpaper.com
• Instagram: Sipandpaper. / Theoriginalindia
• Facebook: Sip & Paper
• Linkedin: India Wilson
• Twitter: Sipandpaper
• Youtube: Sip & Paper

Image Credits
Ehs photography