Meet Maizie Clarke | Illustrator and Small Business Owner

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

Hi Maizie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My business was started as a result of necessity and a little bit by accident – as a poor graduate student, I needed gifts for friends and family, so I started creating paintings of place special to them: their first home, their alma mater, or the church where they were married. When friends came back to me, willing to pay to do the same for their friends and family – a business idea was born.

But my entrepreneurial interests did not start with this current business: I had started a small mobile snack bar during my brothers’ sporting events when I was in elementary school and then later in high school, I made and sold jewelry to my classmates. So I think being self employed was always in the cards.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I specialize in watercolor illustrations of the world around me: I love illustrating meaningful and special places. I love hearing from clients who want to commemorate their first home and all of the features that they love about their home.

I love combining my design background with the whimsy of watercolor to create charming compositions.

I started this company in 2016, worked for two full years while working a full-time job before being able to go full time. It was not easy, but I knew that if I could be driven and dedicated to work as hard as I did working nights and weekends, I would willing to work hard enough to make this business work full time.

I have been dedicated to creating high quality products and serving happy clients.

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.
The Speed Art Museum – a wonderful art museum in Louisville – always have wonderful and thought-provoking exhibits.

Lupo Pizza – amazing wood fired pizza

POSH Home – a wonderfully curated gift shop

Churchill Downs – the home of the Derby

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I love this question – especially because no business, no matter the size, is created in a vacuum.

I remember when I was a first year art student in college and fellow classmates. of mine would reply upon hearing I was studying art: “I wish that my parents would let ME be an art major”. I had parents that not only “let me” be an art major but also never questioned the validity of my studies, nor the prospects of a job upon graduation – their confidence and belief in my abilities solidified my own self confidence and drive.

I am also incredibly lucky to have a supportive, encouraging, and enthusiastic husband who loves promoting my business and is my biggest fan.

Website: maizie-clarke.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maizieclarke/

Other: https://www.skillshare.com/r/profile/Maizie-Clarke/1551153

Image Credits
Jama Finney