Meet Jessica Pierson-Turner | Artist & Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Pierson-Turner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Finch + Flourish began in 2019 as a creative outlet. I had been wanting to spend more of my time on creative pursuits, and had finally made the leap to quit my job and pursue a career in freelance design. On the side, I was slowly building up a collection of quirky, punny greeting cards. I live across the country from my family and several of my dearest friends, and I’ve always loved sending cards as a way to feel close. At the start of the pandemic, I found myself feeling very isolated, like so many others around the world. All of a sudden my little cards felt more important – a way to feel connected even when we had to stay apart. In the age of digital communication, something about receiving a card in the mail just feels all the more special to me. Over the course of 2020, my little side project grew into a full time business, sending sentiments all over the world. We’re still very small – it’s mostly just me, with invaluable help from my partner John, but as we grow, I continue to strive to be as sustainable as possible, using only recycled and sustainable certified papers, with recycled and plastic free packaging, and learning all the time new ways to be as socially and environmentally responsible as we can be. I’ve worked for companies in the past that didn’t put their money where their mouth (or marketing) is, and part of choosing to work for myself was having total responsibility and control over the choices that I make, so that my work aligns with my values. It’s really a privilege to be able to do that, and to spend my time creating something that makes people smile.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My illustrations are pretty quirky and lighthearted. Depression and anxiety are a big part of my every day, so I focus a lot of my creative energy into silly drawings that make me happy. Like most other creatives though, my process involves a lot of self-doubt from my internal critic (I often become convinced I don’t remotely know how to draw), but eventually I make it through to the other side and find I’m actually quite fond of what I made. My line of cards has grown quite a bit over the last 3 years, and my style continues to evolve – I just finished putting together a new catalog, and looking at all of my cards in one place like that really took me by surprise. It was exciting and motivating, seeing this visual timeline of just how far I’ve come. Branching out into the wholesale market last year was a big turning point – we’re in stores across the country now, and that’s something I’m very proud of. It’s exciting to think about all of the places my cards are going, the messages written inside. But getting here certainly wasn’t easy – it can be quite challenging to carve out time for creative work when there are so many other things that need doing while running a business. Learning the ins and outs of the industry, how to pursue leads and come to terms with rejection, marketing strategies and operation plans. Time management is essential, and it was definitely something I struggled with in my transition from employee to self-employed. Lesson learned: don’t be afraid to ask for help and guidance. It’s easy to feel like a failure when you compare yourself to others that are further along in their journey, but it’s important to remember just how far you’ve come and everything you’ve accomplished.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Pittsburgh is a great city. It’s small, but really has a lot to offer. When friends visit, I love to start by showing off my own neighborhood, the Strip District. This narrow stretch of land along the Allegheny river is known for its international, old-style grocers and vibrant atmosphere. Breakfast at Pamela’s Diner is a must – it’s a Pittsburgh institution known for their crepe-style pancakes and Lyonnaise potatoes. Next, explore the shops along Penn Ave like the Pennsylvania Macaroni Co, colloquially known as Penn Mac, to browse their extensive selection of fine cheese. Pick up an afternoon coffee at De Fer or La Prima, and a quick sandwich to go from Pane è Pronto. At sunset, take the historic Duquesne Incline up to Mount Washington for the best view of the city. Lawrenceville’s Butler Street is another fun stop, lined with locally owned shops, restaurants, and breweries. My personal favorites : brunch at The Vandal, drinks at Bar Botanico, and dinner at Morcilla. The city also has a world-class collection of museums that aren’t to miss, like the Carnegie Museum of Art (home of the Carnegie International), the Andy Warhol Museum (where you can make your own screen test), and my personal favorite, the Mattress Factory, a contemporary art space featuring site-specific installations from the likes of James Turrell, Yayoi Kusama, and Greer Lankton. And no visit to Pittsburgh is complete without a visit to the Victorian greenhouses of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. If you don’t mind driving a bit outside of the city, Ohiopyle should be on everyone’s list. Take a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, or spend a day exploring the extensive hiking trails and waterfalls of the state park. There’s plenty more to see and do, but I’ll leave it at that for now!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My partner John for sure. He’s been there every step of the way – from packing cards and fulfilling orders, to fixing malfunctioning printers and hauling everything back and forth to markets in rainstorms and heat waves. He works in branding and design, so being able to pick his brain on all things product and packaging design has been tremendously helpful as well. I’m lucky to have him in my corner.

Website: https://finchandflourish.com

Instagram: @finchandflourish

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finchandflourish/