We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gracie Hill. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gracie below.
Gracie, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I developed my strong work ethic primarily from the lessons instilled by my parents. They emphasized the significance of hard work and consistently conveyed the belief that one doesn’t truly appreciate and value the things they have unless they have put in the effort to attain them. This upbringing has shaped my perspective on diligence and commitment, motivating me to approach tasks with a dedicated mindset. I believe that hard work and creativity results in beautiful outcomes.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I sell Christian and inspirational apparel, as well as home goods and stationary! However, I am not like your typical Christian small business; Each of my pieces feature a clean, minimalist design paired with a special meaning behind them. Some of my favorites includes our “Less judgement, more love” cotton tee, many of our soft crewnecks, and our “self love club” eco-friendly candles.
You can also find many art prints, both physical and digital, on my website! One of my favorites is our print “Motherly Love”. This print displays how motherly love is a boundless and profound force that transcends words and description. It is a love that knows no limits, an unwavering devotion that weaves itself into every facet of a child’s life. You can find various other prints at my shop in multiple different sizes to best fit your space.
I got into this craft out of observance of other businesses. I have found that almost nothing is hand-designed these days. But here at Studiobygracie, my mission is to bring value back into everyday items and provide pieces that have a deeper meaning. Each of my products are created with a purpose, every stroke, line, and shape displaying the time and effort spent with you in mind. I knew I wanted to start a business that had purpose, one that wasn’t just another small business promoting who-knows-what on your Instagram feed.
We also just launched our “Greetings From” line! This collection features your favorite songs, albums, and tv shows as a fun postcard style print. From our “Greetings from Central Perk” FRIENDS themed crewneck to our “Greetings from the Eras Tour” Taylor Swift themed tee, we have many to pick from!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My journey began when I started my business as an art portfolio during high school. At that time, my focus was on honing my artistic skills, and I began taking commissions to further develop my craft. However, as I progressed, I felt the desire to infuse a deeper meaning and purpose into my work.
This desire led me to start creating Christian artwork and apparel. I began sharing my pieces on social media platforms, hoping to find an audience who was interested in what I had to offer. I love engaging with my audience by responding to comments, offering giveaways, and participating in conversations related to my niche. Building a genuine connection with my followers is crucial to me.
It wasn’t always successful, but I knew that it was important to persevere with my passion. I maintained a consistent posting schedule, sharing my artwork and products regularly. This helped keep my audience engaged and informed about my latest creations. Now I have released many different themes of apparel and artwork!
Three qualities or skills that were the most impactful on my journey were the following:
1. Perseverance. Learning to persevere through the tough spots was important. No business takes off right as they launch their first product. It takes lots of time and practice!
2. Trial and error. Some things work, some things don’t, and that is okay! Not everything will be a success, but everything can be a learning experience.
3. Creativity. Being a creative thinker was a quality that really helped me on my journey. I also love looking around for new inspiration when it comes to designing and creating something new for my customers.
If you are looking to start your business journey, I would recommend these three things:
1. Find your niche! Find something you are passionate about and build your presence around that. Your authenticity will shine on social media.
2. Consistency. It will be hard a first, and you will feel like no one is engaging with your content. But keep pushing through and try to keep your audience engaged.
3. Adapt and learn. Be open to feedback, adapt your content and strategies, and never stop learning.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’d love to collaborate with any individuals or businesses seeking apparel or designs for their ventures, events, or business!
Reach out to me at studiobygracie@gmail.com or message me on instagram @studiobygracie if you are interested in a collab!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.studiobygracie@gmail.com
- Instagram: @studiobygracie
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gracie-hill/
