Girl Boss Q&A with Katie Herman Art
Have you ever met someone and you just clicked and thought, “OMG, did we just become best friends?” Well that is basically what happened with Katie and I. We met on Instagram and instantly clicked. She is fun, talented, beautiful, and so so sweet!! I am a big fan of Katie and her creations. Be on the look out for a blog post featuring some of her items! And now, I am so excited to introduce you to the face and talent behind Katie Herman Art.
To start this Q&A I asked Katie to share 5 random facts about herself!
I am an only child, grandchild, and niece (on my mother’s side)…. I have always lacked attention, kidding!
I live on the same street I grew up on, with one house between my mother and I. Mu mom is my best friend.
I hate flying. I am a fairly seasoned traveler, but I ma the one who needs to be at the airport 3 hours early to take a chill pill.
I used a fake ID to get tattoos in high school- I have 3 (thankfully small ones).
I love chicken fingers and honey mustard - I am 30 and have no shame in ordering a Shirley Temple.
Q) What was your first job?
A) My first job ( I was 14 years old) was at Vinny’s Pizza, my neighbor was the owner and let me take the delivery order over the phone. I consistently screwed up the topping abbreviations and they have to re-make many pizzas!
Q) Is Katie Herman Art your full time job, was it always?
A) Along with being a stay-at-home-mom, it is! Before babies, I was an elementary art teacher.
Q) When and why did you decide to start Katie Herman Art?
A) I have created art pretty much my whole life, but I made it an “official” LLC last year. I had started an Etsy shop creating custom gifts, but when I found out I was pregnant with a boy, I decided to find a way to design his baby blanket. Boy moms know, that the selection for boy décor/clothes/basically everything, lacks in comparison to what you can find for girls. I painted a sailfish & dolphin fish to create his blanket designs and decided to list them with the option to customize with the baby’s name, and that was my first popular product. From there I created more and more blanket designs for both boys and girls, which lead to pillows and various products.
Q) Did you always want to be an entrepreneur?
A) Yes and no. I am very creative and have many business ideas, but I have literally zero business background. I am always learning and making mistakes.
Q) What was the first animal you ever drew for Katie Herman Art?
A) The sailfish for my son’s blanket design. I have drawn animals since childhood, but that was the first design as a “real business.”
Q) What is your favorite thing about being a boss babe?
A) I make all the rules! I have always liked to be in control and I don't like being told what to do. I can say no to things if I have no interest in making them.
Q) How do you personally find time to be a mom, wife, and small business owner?
A) Currently, nap time and bed time. My days consist of tiring my very active toddler boys out all morning long so they will take a nap. When they eventually start school, I know I will have more time to focus on my business. Right now, they are my number one priority. I find myself drawing the line for myself. I have so many design ideas that I would love to make, and new products that I would love to offer, but I do not have enough hours in the day. It is very challenging and something I have not mastered.
Q) Do you have a special space you create, and do you have an go-to outfit you create in?
A) I use to pre-kids, but now my studio room is their playroom. I “create” all over my house, mostly the kitchen counter and dining room table. I have a huge walk in closet behind the TV wall in my living room (such a random place for a closet, but you could fit a twin bed for Harry Potter’s upgraded room) so this is my inventory room. One day I will organize it. As for a “special outfit” I live in athleisure wear!
Q) What is your favorite product you have created?
A) I don't think I could pick just one. I definitely can not pick a favorite pillow, so I am going to say baby blankets, because I love seeing photos of customers’ newborn babies in the hospital wrapped up in one of my blankets. Like I could cry every time knowing that the mom choose one of my blankets for their baby…. ok now I am crying.
Q) What does the future of Katie Herman Art look like?
A) The future is looking bright! I can not believe how much my business has grown in the its first official year!! I have many new retail stores both in Florida and out of state. Since launching my website I have been thrilled to see customers from different countries. I do not have an actual plan, because my thing is “winging it” but I am excited to watch my business grow!!!
Q) What is a goal you would like to set for yourself and Katie Herman Art?
A) I would like to paint more abstract work on canvas.
Q) What advice do you have for someone who would like to be a small business owner/ or would like to start their own business?
A) Go for it and do not under value your work! I want to tell some artists to raise their prices, I look at their work and think “Its worth more than that” do not give your time and hard work away for free!
Q) How has starting Katie Herman Art changed your life?
A) It has brought me so many new connections and relationships!! Creating art and designs that people like enough to buy and put in heir home, brings me so much joy!
I had such a blast learning more about Katie! I hope you all enjoyed our Q&A. Be on the lookout for the next blog post, where I am showing off how I styled some of Katie’s pillows! Spoiler alert, one of the pillows was even part of my engagement announcement to my family and friends!!
Katie, thank you so much for answer my questions, I know my followers are so excited to be inspired by you!
Thank you all for reading along! I hope I have encouraged your to Do It Yourself or Treat Yourself!
- Stylin Brunette