Nicole Lewis, founder of Art to the Extreme, shares her journey of creating the original rainbow crayon. All which began in the classroom as an art teacher and her desire to find a solution to the broken crayon chaos. She quickly used her problem solving skills to create a unique one of a kind art product perfect for kids and adults alike. Nicole’s tenacity to be her own press agent and her ability to utilize the power of collaborations has helped her become a top tier seller and influencer on Etsy as well as national name. Her rainbow crayons have been featured in major publications such as the TODAY show, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, US Weekly, and People to name a few. Plus has been featured as a top gift idea by JoAnna Gaines and asked to create gifts for the Oprah Network. Trust me y’all, you will want to grab something to take notes with because this episode is jam packed with incredible information! Nicole's insight is invaluable and her joyful nature will keep you absolutely captivated.

TAKEAWAYS

Thinking outside the box and creating a new rainbow crayon for all to enjoy.
Reaching out to the press and building relationships can result in organic publicity.
Asking for help and advice from others in the industry can be beneficial for business growth. It's important to stay true to yourself and not compare your journey to others.


Having both an Etsy shop and a personal website can be beneficial for reaching customers and building a brand.
Strong photography and effective SEO are key to standing out on Etsy.
Embrace the different seasons of life and be open to collaborations and new projects.
Sustainability can be incorporated into a creative business through partnerships and conscious sourcing.


CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Connection
03:37 Who is Art 2 the Extreme
04:09 How it all Started
05:40 Creating Customized Crayons for Students with Special Needs
09:18 Receiving a Call from the Oprah's Network
10:57 Early Days on Etsy
13:42 Getting Press and Collaborating with Other Brands
18:25 Persistence and Reflecting on Success
22:56 In-House Production
26:35 Tips for Etsy Success
33:22 Nicole's Creative Journey
34:04 Transition from Teaching to Starting a Business
36:55 Sourcing Crayons and Reusing Materials
38:42 Finding Time for Creativity
42:05 Where to Find Art 2 the Extreme and Shop

LINKS:

Launch Grow Joy - https://www.launchgrowjoy.com
Press for Sucess - https://pressforsuccess.com
Etsy Affiliate Program - Affiliates & Creatorsetsy.com
Book a call with Art2theExtreme  - https://art2theextreme.com/pages/pickmybrain
Art2theExtreme Pick My Brain eBook - https://art2theextreme.com/products/letsgetpress


FOLLOW:
Art 2 the Extreme on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/art2theextreme/https://www.instagram.com/northsoulstudios/
Shop Online https://art2theextreme.com/

Brush Strokes Pottery on instagram -
https://www.instagram.com/brushstrokespottery/
Shop Ceramic Cactus Online https://brushstrokespottery.com

NOMINATE AN ARTIST:
If you’d like to nominate an artist (can be yourself) send us an email at info@brushstrokespottery.com