Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Laura Baker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Laura thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

When I began my business journey, my art skills were limited but creativity was still something I wanted to pursue in my efforts of serving others. While there’s always room for improvement, I saw that the more time and practice I had, the better I got at drawing and painting and the more confident I became. Every order for a custom pet product was an opportunity to grow as a creative. As I have yet to take an art course, the techniques I practice now were self-taught through trial and error. Being that I am the only creator behind my business, I had to learn how to speed up the process, so I started painting pet portraits assembly-line style; grouping pets with similar fur color layers and underpainting many pet portraits in one sitting. When I first began painting pet portraits, I brushed on every bit of color and the paint was thick, so dry-time was long. After time, I solved that issue by sponge-painting some layers giving those unique blended fur colors a natural, ombré effect where it was needed.

It was essential for me to change my thinking about what I was doing. When the orders started coming in faster, I knew it was time to start treating my work as part of a legitimate business and less of a hobby. My husband had advised me to make my business pay for itself from day one and so I really had to get in gear and strategize all the ways I can advertise and speed up my process. I also had to learn to be patient, to not compare the success rate of other businesses with mine, to be able to take criticism and learn from it, and just be confident in what I’m doing. The fact that strangers from around the world are enjoying something I made is rewarding and still today I’m learning that I should value my work and time the way others have been. My procrastination tendencies paired with life outside of work is an obstacle that makes it difficult to get around to learning new paint techniques and forms of organization and time management that would help me run the business a little better but it’s definitely something I’ve been working on.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Laura, I’m saved by grace, a wife to my wonderful husband, Steffon, I’m a goldendoodle mama and I enjoy running my creative business, Laurel Eve LLC. I was born in Los Angeles with a rare bone disease called, Holt-Oram Syndrome. One of my upper limb anomalies is called “club hands” (radial dysplasia) which is one of the inspirations behind my business name. I love being creative but that of course was not what I imaged I could ever do as a full-time job. I used to teach during my grad years and while I enjoyed the classroom, starting a business of my own was where my heart was at.

Laurel Eve LLC began with selling teardrop wood and leather earrings on Etsy. While the earrings were cute, I found that there were too many just like them, making them harder to sell. So I changed things up by upgrading my equipment and I started selling wooden stud earrings instead. Before attempting to draw, I purchased files of art for laser cutting and began painting each pair of earrings. A couple of weeks later, my earrings began to find a home on the shelves of 6+ Northeast, Ohio store fronts. The day that I received a request for a pair of puppy earrings was the beginning of my pet portrait journey. Today, I sell custom pet cufflinks, earrings, pins, etc. My cufflinks and earrings have been best-sellers on Etsy since their launch in 2020, and have been featured in various magazines: BRIDES, Saratoga Bride, The New Barker Dog Magazine, Etsy Market Look-Book, VoyageOhio Magazine, as well as on WeddingWire and The Knot, etc. My custom pet cufflinks are a 2022 Etsy Design Awards Finalist and are sold all over the world. I’m so grateful for this business and all the opportunities I’ve been given to grow.

My custom pet products have served as the perfect gift for every pet lover. Over 1000 custom pet cufflinks have gone out to be enjoyed by couples across the globe, as they’re the perfect solution for a no-hassle, pet-inclusive wedding day. I’m most proud to have built my own 5-star business that is known internationally; has been featured in many magazines; is awarded for design, sales and customer service; has lots of repeat customers, and offers affordable, high quality materials that pet lovers across the globe are enjoying.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Of all the pros that come with being a creative, for me the most rewarding aspects revolve around my supporters. I love serving in such a creative way and I love that many of my customers have stayed in contact and continued to support me as I grow. It’s very rewarding to hear how happy people are when they are receive something so unique, something that I got to make for them, something for the most memorable day of their life. It’s truly and honor.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Before I built my own business, I didn’t put too much thought into the importance of shopping small. Today, I realize that shopping small supports a family and someone’s dream. Small businesses give back to their communities; the customer service is always better and more personal; the products are truly made with love and are often very unique; and they can even add to their communities as they grow and add jobs. The best ways to support creatives is to choose to shop small first; always share your love for their work in review, on social media, in person, etc.; become a repeat customer; and showing appreciation and kindness goes a long way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.laurelevecc.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurelevecc
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/laurelevecc
• Other: www.etsy.com/shop/laurelevecc linktr.ee/laurelevecc

Image Credits
Five Five Media Co. Yazi Davis Photography Josh Bennett photography Janelle Elise Photography Justin pedrick photography Feelm Storytellers