Meet Jennifer Messer | Creator & Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Messer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk taking is something that I tend to struggle with in both my personal life and my career. I have heard people say that the move you are most afraid of making is probably the one you should be making. I try to live by that but it’s hard. It’s hard to make yourself do things that are not comfortable. It’s scary. ‘What if I fail?’ or ‘What if it doesn’t work out like I want?’ are thoughts that frequent my mind when I am considering taking a risk. The beauty of risk taking is it becomes a successful venture or a learning experience. Either way, you tried and learned something new. I try to keep that in mind.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think the entrepreneurial spirt was ingrained in me early. My maternal grandparents had a small business making furniture when I was young. My paternal grandfather started a small plumbing business and my father took over that business and grew it into other directions. I never really had to convince myself to start my own business. I think I just viewed it as a right of passage. Once I did start my own business, I tried to follow trends and make things for the sake of selling items. Since then, I have changed my perspective. Now, I make things for the sake of creating. I include things that I love into my designs in hopes that someone else loves them too. I love when a customer reaches out to me and tells me that one of my designs spoke to them or made their day. Every item that I create is completely unique, just like each of us. Changing my perspective and being true to myself was probably the most important decision that I ever made when it comes to my business. I want to inspire people to do the same thing. To be true to themselves, to follow their dreams and do what is in their heart. If I can do this, anyone can.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
On the first day, we’d probably start close to home with Bizarre Coffee Company for some brunch and coffee. Then we would check out some of the fabulous artist as Menagerie on Main. After that we’d head over to Etowah River Park for some relaxing in the sun with our pups. The next day we’d hit the Mill on Etowah for shopping, dinner, and drinks. After that, we would catch a show at the Canton Theater. On the third day, we’d take a trip to Downtown Woodstock to Made Mercantile and some other small businesses to do some shopping. After that we’d check out check out Elm Street Art Studios and take a trip over to Alpine Bakery for some pizza and sweet treats. The next day, we’d head down to the Marietta Square for the local artisan and farmer’s market. We’d grab some lunch at the Marietta Square Market and take a walk around the square. On the fifth day, we’d head down to Piedmont, relax, and grab some food and a free show at Park Tavern’s Sunset Sessions. We would of course take the pups because Park Tavern is Pup friendly. The next day, we’d head to EAV with hopes of catch a pop-up art show while we chill at the EARL and catch a show there or at 529. On the seventh day, we’d head over to Decatur square for the day. Starting the day with coffee from Java Monkey and lunch at the Square pub. Then, of course, we’d get some Jeni’s ice cream and head to Eddie’s Attic for a show.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The art community in and around Atlanta is amazing. In the corporate world there is a lot of competition. I think many people view small businesses and artists as having that same competitive culture. In reality, it’s more of a supportive and family environment. We are happy when others succeed and try to help others become successful. Of course, I have to mention my amazing husband. He is the most supportive of all. He pushes me to be more creative and come up with new and exciting ways to create pieces to share with the world. He even has some pretty good ideas for designs himself.

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Image Credits
Sarah Raynes – Right as Raynes Photography