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

Michelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

No, it wasn’t like this from day one. My path to earning a full-time living from my creative work has been a journey of growth, exploration, and persistence, spanning multiple creative fields.

The Early Years – Creativity in Branding and Photography

My creative career began in branding, where I founded Novus Be Known and honed my skills in design and storytelling. Alongside branding, I offered photography and watercolor services, blending artistic expression with marketing strategy. These early experiences built the foundation for my growth as both a businesswoman and an artist.

Achievements in Branding

Through my branding business, I’ve been fortunate to receive significant recognition:
2016 New Business Woman of the Year Award: A proud milestone early in my entrepreneurial journey.
Design Excellence: Over the years, my logo designs have won several awards and been featured in design books and publications, demonstrating my commitment to quality and creativity.

Expanding into Fine Art

While art had always been a personal passion, I began selling my oil paintings professionally last year. My work reflects my love for rural settings, trees, boats, and the changing seasons—capturing the beauty and emotion of the natural world. I now offer a variety of products, from note cards to original paintings, making my work accessible to a diverse audience.

The Messenger Birds Success

In addition to branding and fine art, my Messenger Birds project became a personal and professional highlight. Going national with Hallmark and selling thousands of birds worldwide was a dream realized—proof of the power of combining creativity with entrepreneurship.

Milestones and Lessons Learned

Diversity in Offerings: By balancing branding, painting, and product design, I’ve reached a wide range of audiences.
Recognition: Receiving awards and seeing my work in national publications reinforced the importance of striving for excellence.

Global Reach: The success of Messenger Birds taught me how to scale a creative idea into a worldwide success story.

What I’d Do Differently

If I could start over, I would have pursued my passion for painting earlier. Having a clearer vision of my artistic identity would have helped accelerate my journey. However, each step—whether in branding, design, or product development—has been instrumental in shaping who I am today as a creative entrepreneur.

Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Michelle Roberts, a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur who has built a career combining art, branding, and storytelling. My journey into the creative world began with a deep love for design and visual storytelling, which I channeled into founding Novus Be Known, a branding agency focused on helping businesses craft their unique stories and identities. Over the years, I’ve been honored to receive awards for my branding work, including the 2016 New Business Woman of the Year Award and numerous design accolades, with my logos featured in books and publications.

In addition to branding, I’ve developed my artistic side through Michelle Roberts Fine Art, where I create oil paintings inspired by the natural world—rural settings, boats, and the changing seasons. My work reflects my deep connection to nature and aims to evoke a sense of nostalgia and beauty. I’m proud to offer art in various forms, from note cards to original oil paintings, making creativity accessible to collectors of all levels.

Another passion project, Messenger Birds, combines art with heartfelt messaging. This initiative went national with Hallmark and has sold thousands of pieces worldwide, demonstrating how art can connect people across the globe.

What sets me apart is my audience-focused approach. Whether I’m creating a brand strategy, painting a landscape, or designing a product, I strive to connect deeply with the needs and emotions of my clients and collectors. I work to ensure that everything I create—whether it’s a visual identity or a piece of fine art—brings clarity, purpose, and joy.

I’m most proud of the trust I’ve built with my clients and collectors and the impact my work has had on their businesses and lives. My goal is always to help people find beauty, authenticity, and meaning in everything I create.

If you’re seeking fine art, branding expertise, or heartfelt products like Messenger Birds, I’d love for you to explore my work. Each piece, design, or strategy reflects my commitment to quality, creativity, and connection.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One of the biggest challenges non-creatives might struggle to understand about the creative journey is how much of it involves self-discovery and battling inner doubts. As a creative, you’re not just producing work—you’re putting a piece of yourself out there for the world to see. That vulnerability often comes with questions like, Am I doing this right? Is this good enough? These questions can sometimes lead to self-doubt, but they also push you to grow.

For me, selling myself and building a brand that’s both authentic and resonates with people has been a learning process. Balancing authenticity with marketability isn’t always straightforward, and it requires constant reflection and adjustment. The perfectionist in me used to make this even harder—always worrying about getting everything “just right.” Over the years, though, I’ve learned that mistakes are part of the process. They teach you and shape you into a better creative and businessperson. That evolution has helped me become more confident in both my art and my business.

For anyone struggling with similar challenges, I’d say embrace imperfection and allow yourself the grace to learn and grow. It’s not about always getting it right; it’s about being true to yourself and continuously improving.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience has been a defining part of my journey as both an artist and a businesswoman. One story that stands out is how I rebuilt my life and career after facing significant personal challenges, including surviving domestic violence. This experience, while incredibly difficult, shaped my perspective and deepened my commitment to creativity and authenticity. It taught me to lean into my passions and transform pain into purpose.

When I started selling my artwork, it was a new chapter that required courage and self-belief. Early on, I doubted whether people would connect with my paintings or if I could balance this with my branding business. Yet, I pushed forward, drawing from my experiences to create work that resonated with people on a deeper level.

Launching my brand Messenger Birds and taking it national with Hallmark is another example of resilience. That journey demanded persistence, from navigating the complexities of licensing agreements to maintaining creativity under tight deadlines. It showed me that combining passion with determination can lead to extraordinary opportunities.

These moments of resilience have shaped my belief that growth comes from overcoming challenges. They’ve inspired me to embrace imperfection, trust the process, and continue building a creative career rooted in authenticity and heart.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.michellemroberts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Michelle_Roberts_Fine_Art
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellerobertsbrandconsultant/

Image Credits

Michelle Roberts