Nicole Lewis, founder of Art to the Extreme, shares her journey of creating the original rainbow crayon. All which began in the classroom as an art teacher and her desire to find a solution to the broken crayon chaos. She quickly used her problem solving skills to create a unique one of a kind art product perfect for kids and adults alike. Nicole’s tenacity to be her own press agent and her ability to utilize the power of collaborations has helped her become a top tier seller and influencer on Etsy as well as national name. Her rainbow crayons have been featured in major publications such as the TODAY show, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, US Weekly, and People to name a few. Plus has been featured as a top gift idea by JoAnna Gaines and asked to create gifts for the Oprah Network. Trust me y’all, you will want to grab something to take notes with because this episode is jam packed with incredible information! Nicole's insight is invaluable and her joyful nature will keep you absolutely captivated.

TAKEAWAYS

• Thinking outside the box and creating a new rainbow crayon for all to enjoy.


• Reaching out to the press and building relationships can result in organic publicity.


• Asking for help and advice from others in the industry can be beneficial for business growth. It's important to stay true to yourself and not compare your journey to others.

• Having both an Etsy shop and a personal website can be beneficial for reaching customers and building a brand.


• Strong photography and effective SEO are key to standing out on Etsy.


• Embrace the different seasons of life and be open to collaborations and new projects.


• Sustainability can be incorporated into a creative business through partnerships and conscious sourcing.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Connection

03:37 Who is Art 2 the Extreme

04:09 How it all Started

05:40 Creating Customized Crayons for Students with Special Needs

09:18 Receiving a Call from the Oprah's Network

10:57 Early Days on Etsy

13:42 Getting Press and Collaborating with Other Brands

18:25 Persistence and Reflecting on Success

22:56 In-House Production

26:35 Tips for Etsy Success

33:22 Nicole's Creative Journey

34:04 Transition from Teaching to Starting a Business

36:55 Sourcing Crayons and Reusing Materials

38:42 Finding Time for Creativity

42:05 Where to Find Art 2 the Extreme and Shop

LINKS:

• Launch Grow Joy - https://www.launchgrowjoy.com


• Press for Sucess - https://pressforsuccess.com


• Etsy Affiliate Program - Affiliates & Creatorsetsy.com


• Book a call with Art2theExtreme  - https://art2theextreme.com/pages/pickmybrain


• Art2theExtreme Pick My Brain eBook - https://art2theextreme.com/products/letsgetpress

FOLLOW:

Art 2 the Extreme on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/art2theextreme/https://www.instagram.com/northsoulstudios/

Shop Online https://art2theextreme.com/

Brush Strokes Pottery on instagram -

https://www.instagram.com/brushstrokespottery/

Shop Ceramic Cactus Online https://brushstrokespottery.com

NOMINATE AN ARTIST:

If you’d like to nominate an artist (can be yourself) send us an email at info@brushstrokespottery.com