We were lucky to catch up with Kristal Young recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kristal, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I absolutely wish I had started my creative career sooner! I grew up believing that to be successful in life, you had to go to college, graduate, and work a 9-5 job you can’t stand until you save up enough money to retire. It didn’t dawn on me until my late 20s that I could actually turn my creative outlet into a career. Ever since I took the plunge into full-time work, there hasn’t been a single day that I’ve regretted it. You know what they say, ‘If you’re doing what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.’ That is truly the reality that I live, and I wish I would have done it sooner.

Kristal, 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?

Hi! Im Kristal, your favorite local resin artist here in DUUUUUVAL.

When people ask me how I started my business, it always gives me a little anxiety because the truth is, this wasn’t started out of rainbows and sunshine. In early 2018, one of my very best friends passed away, which caused a very sad time for me and my mental health. I needed an outlet, and resin art, along with pour paintings, were my go-to. I eventually made so much product that it only made sense to take it to market and see if I could sell it, and actually start getting serious with my business. It was super nerve-wracking, and I remember not wanting to do it out of fear that no one would want to buy my stuff. The atmosphere of my first market was incredible. I met so many creative people, and the customers were so complimentary that I had never felt more sure that I was on the correct path for my life.

I worked with resin daily for about 3 years before I decided to start moving in the direction of Floral Preservation for wedding bouquets, funeral flowers, etc. The ability to take something from someone’s important day and preserve it for a lifetime for them is something that brings my heart so much joy and fulfillment.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I first started Kristal Creates, I had no real intention of taking it full-time. I was just a creative who needed this outlet to survive this crazy ride we call life. I really had to figure out how to pivot from being a ‘creator’ with no entrepreneurial or business skills to becoming an actual business owner who meets with an accountant, creates my own inventory process, and figures out analytics. That shift was somewhat overwhelming because I was teaching myself everything. The vendors around me (especially at Riverside Arts Market) were a great resource because everyone was more than willing to offer advice and tips. If I didn’t have those people to lean on, I’m not quite sure if I would be where I am today.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Creating something that inspires or touches others is super rewarding. Knowing that my work has touched someone else’s life in a meaningful way provides a certain sense of purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.KristalCreates.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/KristalCreates