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

Mary, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Over the years, my ideas of success has changed and evolved. In college, I use to think that finding a “good job” and making a good salary was the definition of success. After working for many companies, I always felt I was called to do more. I set out to start my own business because I had the drive and vision to become my own boss. Through my creative journey and years of entreprenuership, I have learned so much about myself and what it takes to be successful. Success for me is a feeling rather than a destination.

So if you ask me what I think it takes to be successful, I would say to have a vision for yourself, your life/family, and the impact you want to make and then get to work to achieve them. It also takes knowing that you are worthy of the life you dreamed of and that when you hit roadblocks, you find a way to get back up and push through. But definitely don’t take yourself too seriously, success is not a one and done; it’s a life-long journey.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have to start with my earliest memory as a child because I think my creativity was something that was a part of my identity. Weather that was sketching, hand-making a halloween costume, or getting involved with my leadership committee to plan our school dances – I was known for being the most creative in my school. In college, I couldn’t decide what major to declare so I ended up with a comprehensive design degree with an emphasis in interior design.

After years of working design industries such as design model homes, interior design, to retail merchandising I started my own wedding planning and design business in 2008. That led me into the world of weddings and events and is what led me to do what I do now. In 2012, I began hosting & teaching sketching design workshops out of a need from a few collegues who saw my event sketches and wanted to learn. It was so exciting to share something that I loved with others in my industry and it be so well received. That launched The Sketchbook Series into the world and naturally transitioned me into an educator and out of wedding planning and event design. It was perfect because I still loved design/creativity and could still see myself in the industry, but now in a role that was much more in alignment with my core values. I traveled the world teaching workshops sponsored by luxury venues, hotels, and elite vendors from around the world.

I was asked to speak in front of luxury conferences and hosted creative retreats , which then opened up amazing opportunities like writing my very own sketchbook called “The Artful Sketch.” The reason I think our workshops and brand has been able to capture a wide audience, is because we’ve made sketching accessible to just about anyone willing to learn. I think designers feel intimidated at first because they think they aren’t born to sketch and I don’t believe that you have to be born with it – with patience and a few techniques, we can turn you into a pro and in turn that creates massive confidence that didn’t exist before taking a class.

Our brand’s mission is simple, Inspiring Creativity Everyday.

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

I shared this a bit already, but I’d say my biggest pivot was when I went from a wedding planner/event designer to an educator. And I think I’m going through a bit of a transition now from educator to creative design coach for those who want to build a creative brand.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I’d have to say doing something different than what everyone else was doing. I’m a collaborator and a natural encourager and in creative & design industries, generally people aren’t known to be so friendly. I think who ever you are, play up your strengths. Treat people with kindness and respect, but also set clear boundaries and expectations.

My top two core values are integrity and communication and I have a very high standard when it comes to doing what I say I’m going to do and then communicating and setting expectations upfront. I believe in doing great work and letting your work speak for itself, but also helping others behind you and empowering others to do the same.

Honestly, just treating people how you would want to be treated goes a long way and do everything with love. When you don’t love what you do, it shows.

Contact Info:

• Website: verymaryinspired.com
• Instagram: @thesketchbookseries / @verymaryinspired
• Facebook: @thesketchbookseries

Image Credits
@jennysoi_ (personal photo) @the.mccunes (photo where I’m sitting in a group wearing orange) Jessica maida Photography – (detail shot of cake sketch, etc.) @ameliajohnsonphoto – Amelia Johnson Photo, group photo with everyone wearing teal tshirts