How Embracing Change Led Me to Coastal Creativity

Hi, I'm Brandi Stimpson, the creator behind Simply Styled Art, a boho home decor shop I built on Etsy. 

My career path has been a colorful one, transitioning from a corporate Human Resources career to owning a photography studio, and now embracing the world of online home decor. I have a passion for learning, driven by a love for travel. I draw inspiration from beautiful, creative people and places. I thrive on change, finding energy and fresh perspectives in each new season of life.

My work focuses on crafting gorgeous coastal boho home decor pieces that are available on Etsy and in small shops across the US. I love to infuse my creations with elements that remind me of the beach and other places I've explored. For me, a home should be a narrative of unique experiences, and I enjoy helping others bring that sense of storytelling into their spaces.

My journey here has been an organic evolution, with each phase naturally leading to the next. I began in Human Resources, a field I dedicated 23 years too. However, I had always had a deep passion for photography, a constant since high school, where I was often behind the camera capturing moments for friends and family for fun. One day, a family I had taken some photos of multiple times insisted on paying me and encouraged me to turn my hobby into a business.

This push led me to start small, working from my home's extra bedroom. Eventually, I built a 1000-square-foot studio in my hometown. As my photography business grew and my income allowed, I made the choice to leave my HR career behind entirely. My husband, disliking my late nights, encouraged me to follow my true passion. Though it was a tough decision, I took a leap of faith and fully embraced photography. I poured my heart into building and growing my business. I loved the creativity and connections with people that photography brought. Newborn photography became my specialty, and eventually, towards the end of my 18 years as a photographer, I niched down to exclusively focus on only families and newborns.

After years of running my photography studio and becoming an empty nester, I felt a need for more to do in the evenings. I began crafting boho-inspired pieces and hand-painted driftwood. I started to look into a side business of selling them on Etsy in 2019. 

Creating the home decor business, even while my photography business was thriving, was not a deliberate process. I began to notice subtle signs that I was nearing the end of my season with photography. Despite the continued success of my photography studio, I felt a growing desire for a new creative challenge. The physical challenge of crawling around on the floor with littles was getting harder. I noticed I was no longer as energized by the process as I once had been. This realization came gradually as I got older. I also wanted a more flexible schedule with my husband nearing retirement. I developed a growing curiosity about other creative outlets online with flexible schedules. I started putting more energy into the idea of growing my Etsy shop.

The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in this transition. With the world slowing down and photography sessions becoming less frequent, I had more time to explore my interest in online pursuits. I continued experimenting with boho-inspired home decor, finding joy in designing and crafting items that brought a piece of the coastal boho vibe I love into people's homes. This was a refreshing change, and I realized that I was ready for a completely new venture.

Managing the shift from photography to an online business wasn't without its challenges. It required a delicate balance of scaling back on photography commitments while ramping up production and marketing for my new line of home decor. I approached this transition with a ton of uncertainty, carefully planning each step to ensure a smooth handover. There were many moments of doubt, particularly when it came to closing the photography studio. This space was filled with so many memories and successes. However, the excitement of building Simply Styled Art and seeing my creations appreciated by customers kept me motivated. As I phased out the photography business, I embraced the opportunity to pour my energy into the new venture. I eventually converted my studio into an Airbnb, giving the space a new life and purpose, which felt like a fitting end to that chapter of my life.

This transition taught me the importance of listening to my inner voice and being open to change, even when it feels uncertain and scary. It was a journey of acknowledging that it's okay to evolve and pursue new passions and that each season of life brings its unique opportunities and joys.  Embracing the transition from an in-person business to an online venture has been an exciting and challenging journey. The shift to a more online presence with Simply Styled Art has opened up new opportunities and challenges that I hadn't encountered in my previous career phases. I opened a wholesale side to Simply Styled Art on Faire and enjoy all the wonderful shops that carry my line of products.

I treasure the flexibility that comes with running an online business. Unlike the fixed schedule of photography sessions, my work now can be done from anywhere, at any time. This flexibility has allowed me to manage my time more effectively and pursue other interests such as travel, which continues to inspire my designs.

The online business also offers a level of scalability that wasn't as easily attainable with in-person services for me. The potential for growth feels limitless, as I can continually introduce new products and expand my market reach on Etsy and Faire. This growth keeps me motivated and excited about the future. The one thing I do miss is working with others. 

I’ve mentored friends and family and helped them start their own businesses. I’ve also helped mentor with photography related workflows and setting up Etsy shops. I decided to get creative and build out resources for small business owners. It helps me give back and to work with others one on one. This is still evolving at Don’t skip the Client. I am working with some amazing entrepreneurs that are building wonderful businesses.

Overall, my journey has been one of continuous learning and adaptation. The challenges of online marketing, customer service, and e-commerce logistics have all been valuable experiences that have helped me grow as a business owner. Embracing each new phase with an open mind and a willingness to evolve has been key to finding joy and success.

Through my journey and evolution of Simply Styled Art, it's clear that my business has been shaped by a blend of creativity, adaptability, and a passion for art and living an inspired life. My career path has taken me from Human Resources to photography and now to creating boho home decor. It demonstrates my commitment to following my passions and embracing change. Each transition has been marked by a desire to explore new creative avenues and share those discoveries with others.

At Simply Styled Art, I offer pieces that evoke a sense of peace and place inspired by my love of coastal aesthetics. The shift to an online business model has allowed me to share my art with a much wider audience, connecting with customers around the US and inviting them to bring a unique piece into their own homes.

A key takeaway from my experience is the importance of listening to your inner voice and being willing to evolve. Each phase of my career has required a leap of faith, whether it was leaving a stable HR career for photography or transitioning from a thriving in-person business to an online platform. This willingness to embrace new opportunities has been crucial in navigating changes and finding success in each new venture.

I'm excited about the potential for continued growth and exploration within the online space. The flexibility and scalability of an e-commerce business open up endless possibilities for new products, collaborations, and ways to engage with customers. My focus will remain on creating high-quality, unique pieces that resonate with my audience and reflect the aesthetic styles I love.  

The journey of building Simply Styled Art has been one of continuous learning and adaptation. My experiences have taught me the value of passion, resilience, and the courage to pursue new paths. For anyone looking to start or grow their own business, my advice is to stay true to your creative vision, be open to change, stay consistent even when you want to give up, and always strive to connect with your audience meaningfully. The journey will have its challenges, but the rewards of following your passion and creating something unique are truly fulfilling. My main piece of advice is Just Start!   

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