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

Melissa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I was happy as a freelance artist primarily working for a large textile company in NYC. After about 5 years with this company one day they just stopped working with me. With no notice or time to prepare. I was single, divorced, I had 2 kids to raise and support, Now what do I do? I was in disbelief, I tried to find new clients to fill the huge gap in income, Then one day I woke up and said to myself…. for over 25 years you have designed everyone else’s fabric line and products. What about my own vision , my art and designs? It was time, I need to launch my own brand so I never had to be dependent on one source of income ever again!
Right around this time, 2016, I was asked to participate in a Designer Showhouse here on Long Island. Fear set in, can I do this? Yes I decided I can, and I will decorate the room with all my watercolor art and fabrics. Thus my brand was born. I took the risk and now over 7 years later Melissa Hyatt LLC is still going strong!

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?

Melissa’s path to entrepreneurship and life as a working artist was far from a straight line.

For over twenty years, Melissa worked in textiles as an artist and color consultant for companies like Martha Stewart, Belle Maison, and Waverly Fabrics – all while raising two children and navigating a rocky marriage.

By 2011, Melissa felt fed up with working behind a computer – plus, divorce started to loom. In the face of both, Melissa instinctually returned to her first love: painting. Though she hadn’t painted since college, on a whim she enrolled in a local watercolor class.

Immediately, Melissa felt just like she did in her college painting course all those years ago: nervous, but excited. The teacher noticed her natural talent right away. Soon, Melissa was hooked, painting in every spare moment – after the kids went to bed, on lunch breaks, on sneaky weekend afternoons. She found great solace in making art, reawakened to a part of herself that had (too) long been forgotten.

That watercolor class proved to be a major turning point. Not only did painting get her through divorce, but it solidified that it was time to design for herself – not someone else. So in 2016, Melissa leaned in, launching her watercolor painting and illustration studio as a full-time job. Through sheer determination, Melissa grew her love for art into a successful, growing business and brand.

Melissa still takes painting classes with that teacher, now a dear friend whom she credits for helping her find her way back to watercolor

I hand paint all my artwork in watercolor which sets me apart in an industry full of computer generated artwork. My point of view is unique influenced by my natural coastal surroundings.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I learnerd Photoshop earlier in my career! It was a challenge to learn it while trying to create my brand, paint art, start a business and all the other things solo preneurs have to do!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I want to streamline my business. I currently have too many revenue streams. I’d love to simplify and focus on creating my art, teaching watercolor lessons, traveling for inspiration, licensing and growing my whole sale business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.melissahyatt.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/melissajanehyatt/

Image Credits
Kaitlyn Ferris