What My Customers Have Taught Me
It's not the one-way street I thought it would be
Running a creative business often feels like a journey of self-expression - you're putting your ideas, your heart, and your time into the business and out into the world. You think that's it, a one way street, but what’s been most surprising — and incredibly humbling — is how much feedback I've gotten back and insight I've gained from my customers.
Here are three quietly continuous lessons my customers have taught me recently:
1. Art Is More Than Decor
While my art is always deeply meaningful to me, I used to assume that for most other people, it was simply decorative — something nice for their walls. But again and again, I’ve had customers share how they’ve felt immediate emotional connections to certain prints. Whether it reminds them of someone, a place, a feeling, or a season of life, it resonates in ways I never expected.
It’s been a powerful reminder that art doesn’t just fill a space — it can inspire, comfort and hold value in unexpected ways. You never know when something you create will resonate with someone else, so it has taught me to be less critical and more instinctual.
2. People Value the Personal Touch
I often laugh about how many times people ask, “Did you actually draw this?” But what I’ve come to realise is — that question isn’t about doubting the work. It’s about wanting to connect with the person behind it.
In a world that’s increasingly digital and fast-paced, the human behind the work is very much a part of the work more than ever. People enjoy hearing the inspiration behind an artwork or the meaning behind a greeting card illustration. They enjoy hearing the real life story behind a product and making the connection between the product and the maker.
My customers are often surprised when their frames arrive gift wrapped. They're surprised that I took the time to do that when I didn't have to. When you give people your time, even if it’s just to gift wrap a frame for example, they remember it and they themselves feel seen and valued.
3. Kindness Is Contagious
One of the most beautiful things I’ve witnessed in this journey so far is the ripple effect of kindness. A kind message. A thoughtful review. A supportive comment on social media. These things matter — deeply.
Each kind interaction lifts me, encourages me, and reminds me that there’s so much heart in this work. It makes me want to infuse even more kindness into my products and customer experience — and to inspire others to use these pieces to spread kindness of their own. Your kindness becomes my kindness, becomes someone else's, and so on. When we lead with kindness we are always making a difference.
It’s easy to focus on what we give as artists and makers — but I’m learning just how much I receive in return. From connection, to encouragement, to shared meaning — my customers are shaping this journey just as much as I am.
Thank you for being part of it.
