We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amy Latta. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amy below.
Amy, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Over the years, I have come to realize that there is no greater joy than using my creativity to be a blessing to others. Sometimes, that takes the form of teaching. As much as I love to sew, paint, draw, and hand letter things myself, what energizes me even more is teaching others that they can create beautiful things too! I find such joy when someone who says, “I can’t draw,” uses one of my doodle books and sketches something great. Or when a person who claims, “I’m not artistic” learns how easy it is to do faux calligraphy after all. In addition to teaching, I also look for ways to use the skills I’ve been given to make things for a greater purpose. Last year, for example, I partnered with Hearts Need Art to make and collect thousands of handmade hearts that were then given to healthcare workers and hospital patients in the San Antonio area. My current focus is a new non-profit I started with some friends called the Blessing Bears Ministry, where we sew and give away unique plush bears, along with some bear themed treats, to people in need of encouragement. I firmly believe that I was created to create, but not for my own benefit. It’s only in using my gifts to make others’ lives better that I am living out my purpose.
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?
In my professional life, the newest, most exciting thing that I can tell you about (there’s another incredibly fun surprise coming this fall!) is my recent book release. My 9th book, Doodle All the Animals, is now available wherever books are sold, and it teaches you to draw over 200 animals in their natural habitats. Each doodle is broken down into very simple, doable steps, and you also learn at least one fun new fact about the animal, too!
In my nonprofit life, I am beyond thrilled about how the Blessing Bears Ministry is taking off. The way it works is that folks can visit our website and fill out a form to nominate someone who is in need of some encouragement. Perhaps they are ill, injured, recovering from surgery, dealing with loss, lonely, or struggling with other difficult circumstances. Our team of volunteers (the “bear angels”) sew, stuff, and name a unique, handmade bear for that person, and we package it in a blessing box filled with treats. We also include an encouraging Bible verse, and we pray over the bears before sending them on their way. Finally, we either deliver in person or ship the bear to its new owner to spread some joy. You can learn more about what we do at blessingbearsministry.com, or check out the ministry on Facebook and Instagram. In a month’s time, we have made and shared over 120 bears and counting!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Perseverance – When I first had the opportunity to pitch a book idea to a publishing house, it started out really well and the idea advanced all the way up the ladder until it got to the final stage. Then, it got shut down. I was told the market was too full of hand lettering books and mine wouldn’t sell. It would have been easy to feel defeated (which I did) and give up. But, thanks to some advice from my husband, I refused to just wonder what might have been. Instead, I researched other publishers and specifically sought out those who published art and craft books. I found one, Page Street, that seemed like a perfect fit and I took my idea to them. In less than a year, my first book, Hand Lettering for Relaxation, released. As it turned out, apparently the market wasn’t saturated after all. That book has sold over 126,000 copies and continues to be a great seller seven years later. Since then, I have written 9 more books with Page Street, all of which would never have happened if I had let the other publishing house’s “no” be the final word. Don’t be afraid to believe in yourself even when someone else doesn’t.
Passion – It is absolutely miserable to wake up every day and go to a job for which you have no passion. Trust me, I’ve been there. But when you align your work (or volunteer work) with your passion, there is no limit to what you can do. Over time, I have identified the things that set my soul on fire: creating, teaching, and sharing God’s love with others, and I have worked to make those what I do full-time. It’s worth taking the risks. It’s worth the pay cut. It’s worth doing the scary things. I have never been happier or more fulfilled than I am at this point in my life.
Integrity – If you want to succeed both personally and professionally, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of integrity. Be a person of your word. If you make a commitment, keep it. If you make a claim, be sure it’s true. Do not try to pass off a copy of someone else’s work as your own or take credit for someone else’s idea. Hold tightly to your values and don’t compromise them for an opportunity. Say what you mean and mean what you say. If you do these things, others will take notice. And if you don’t, they’ll notice that too.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
When I was in high school, I was part of the showchoir, and during every performance, I could look down at the front row and see my smiling parents. While the last note was still floating through the air, my dad was the first one on his feet to start the standing ovation every time. In my adult life, not much has changed. Although I’m not usually on a physical stage, my parents are my biggest fans, cheering me on no matter what new venture I’m taking on. When I quit my reliable full-time job that paid the bills, they didn’t question it, they just supported my dream. No matter what wild idea I share, they believe I can do it. Sometimes they believe before I do. Now, with the Blessing Bears Ministry, I even have my mom literally coming alongside me as one of our most active volunteers. We sew together, pack boxes together, and even take trips to the post office together to make it all happen. Knowing I have their love, prayers, and support no matter what I do is an incredible gift.
Contact Info:
- Website: amylattacreations.com and blessingbearsministry.com
- Instagram: @amylattacreations, @blessingbearsministry
- Facebook:facebook.com/amylattacreations, facebook.com/blessingbearsministry
- Youtube: youtube.com/amylattacreations
Image Credits
Jennifer Fitzpatrick
