Meet Abi King

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

Abi, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I keep my creativity alive by living life intentionally and by doing the things that bring me joy and energy. Whether I am playing soccer, swimming, hula hooping, or spending time outside, my playful lifestyle fuels my creativity. These moments bring me peace which translates into creative energy.

Another key part of this is self care and rest. As much as I love being adventurous, I also love slowing down by reading a book, stretching, or taking a walk. When I feel peaceful, I feel the most me.

I have learned the hard way what happens when I neglect either movement or rest. If I do not give my body enough movement, I do not feel my best. If I do not give my brain time to breathe, I burn out. Over the past few years, I have worked hard to really listen to my body and pay attention to what fuels me. Steady progress has been huge for me, and learning how to take care of myself has made all the difference in keeping my creativity alive.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Hi! I am Abi, the artist behind Abi Ink, a surface design studio that creates playful and colorful art for everyday products.

My business has two main aspects. The first is licensing my designs to companies that need art for their products. I mainly work with paper goods companies, but I also reach out to others if I feel my work aligns with their brand. Licensing is the path I’m actively pursuing and building toward long term, though I’ve also learned how challenging it can be to break into that world without prior industry experience

That is why I have also started wholesaling my own products including journals, notebooks, tea towels, tote bags, and more to coffee shops, boutiques, and gift shops around Atlanta. People respond so strongly when they see my art on actual products, and this has been an exciting way to grow my presence in the market and get my work into stores.

To support this growth, I joined an entrepreneur incubator in Atlanta where I have been learning, networking, and building the foundation for my business. While I have taught myself a lot along the way, having the incubator’s guidance has been incredibly valuable. They have helped me see my business from new perspectives and find creative solutions to challenges.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three qualities that have been most impactful for me are persistence, heart, and courage.

Persistence – Building a business is not easy. Rejection and doubt can be serious hurdles, but persistence has carried me through. I have learned to treat setbacks as learning opportunities and to keep showing up, even if it is just doing a little every day. Over time, those small steps add up.

Heart – Heart is the backbone of both me and Abi Ink. There is heart behind everything I do, and it is what makes my business more than just art or products. Abi Ink is my dream. I believe one of the best things in life is having a dream to work toward. Too many people lose sight of their dreams as they get older, but I was fortunate to grow up believing that my dreams are possible.

Courage – It takes a lot of courage to follow your dreams, start your own business, and bet on yourself. Believing in yourself is not always easy, but it is essential. Abi Ink would not exist today if I did not push myself outside my comfort zone and take risks.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes! I am constantly looking to partner or collaborate. I love working with companies that are looking to license playful and colorful art for their products. I am also looking to collaborate with boutiques, coffee shops, and gift shops that are interested in carrying my wholesale products, including journals, notebooks, tea towels, tote bags, and more. Additionally, I am open to connecting with fellow creatives and brands who are passionate about spreading joy and bringing colorful, playful designs into the world.

If you are interested in collaborating, you can see more of my work and reach me at www.abi-ink.com.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.abi-ink.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abiinkstudio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abi-ink