Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kara Vanderleest. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kara , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My work ethic comes from family, specifically, my dad. He and his brothers started a business and worked extremely hard to grow the business into a very successful company. I grew up watching him work long hours and put in the time – even when he didn’t want to or things weren’t going well. Also, we grew up doing chores and knew what the expectations were for us around working hard. From early on, a sense of pride in one’s work and getting the job done well was instilled in me.
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 love working with colors. My educational background is in Art History and I’ve always been drawn to colors & design – I even have a couple of Interior Design courses under my belt. Working and experimenting with our MudPaint colors to mix and blend custom shades is something that I enjoy.
I’m also excited to remind people that – yes, it’s O.K. to bring some color and painted furniture into your home. People’s homes and spaces are a reflection of them. So, even if the current trends are not in line with what you like – go for it anyway! Paint that chair a gorgeous and bold turquoise. And, when you get tired of it, there is always a fresh coat of paint waiting for your next inspiration!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Work Hard
2. Don’t Give UP
3. Get Creative
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I’m feeling overwhelmed I try to take a step back and evaluate the current situation. I take a look at what is going on/what is different/why do I feel overwhelmed. From there, hopefully, I can break it down into more manageable tasks. I’m a big fan of lists! Once something is on my list it helps to keep me on track and remind me of what is the next thing to do. There is something so satisfying about crossing off items on my list too – a little sense of accomplishment!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mudpaint.com
- Instagram: mudpaint
- Facebook: mudpaint
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