An Interview With Danielle Brown, Australian Travel Artist.

A woman who made her crazy vision a reality.

What inspired you to start your business? 

Some call it a hobby; I call it a lifelong passion and wholehearted obsession!

As a small child, I started my creative journey over 50 years ago, winning book week awards for my drawings of goldfish in fish tanks. I was accepted into art academies as a teenager and received amazing reviews and feedback on my drawing assessments.

That feeling of sharing and having my hard work recognised gave me a real thrill, and I decided there and then that I would one day be a professional Artist. 

Working in creative industries for over 40 years, starting with an apprenticeship as a Traditional Brush Sign Writer through to more advanced techniques such as Graphic Design, Wide Format Digital Printing and gaining accreditation as a 3M Advanced Graphic Wrap Installer, I have come full circle back to brush and pencil. With an adventurous spirit and a desire to explore and travel this amazing world of ours, I decided to combine my wanderlust and skills as an artist and turn them into a beautiful business creating travel art. 

A desire to share those experiences and memories of travel in my artworks and unique products to others has been unwavering, and I see myself doing this for many years. 

What is your business?

Transporting you to exotic destinations!

I'm a professional travel artist and creator of travel-inspired products. I offer gallery-quality artworks in mixed media and fine art prints. I sell my art to serious collectors and art lovers who enjoy having beautiful wall prints or originals in their homes inspired by travel. 

What is your brand name, and how did you come up with that name?

Lotus and Lilly Designs

After a lot of soul-searching for the perfect name, this one resonated the most with me. 

Lotus – (Flower) It is exotic, like the travel art I create. It represents purity, spiritual enlightenment, and new beginnings. Perfect for the beginning of a new business and career venture. 

Lilly – A name I have always loved, also my Grandmothers name. It is another beautiful flower and has similar meanings to the Lotus, rebirth.

After many decades working in 'industrial and commercial' creative industries, this name describes my rebirth into creating art that I am passionate about. 

Designs – well, it says it all. Rather than art or artist, I am able to create many types of art from pen, paper or brush to computer-based designs. 

When you started Lotus and Lilly, what was your vision?

Bringing happiness and pleasure to others and myself through my art and products always has been and will always be my business vision. 

Art has the power to bring joy!

What challenges did you face when starting Lotus and Lilly and what did you do to overcome them?

Working four days a week while working the remainder of the week building a brand-new business from the ground up took me two years of blood, sweat and tears. 

In the start-up stage, with no financial support but my bank balance I: 

• Built a website – no real previous experience. It has taken me forever to get to where I am happy.
• I completed a business start-up course. Expensive, and although I learnt a lot of invaluable information, the community support wasn't there after the fact, and I found myself floundering and in a state of limbo.
• I created an entire portfolio/body of artwork. This was incredibly time-consuming and expensive. It felt like I was never available for my family.
• I sourced and secured suppliers and main framework for all aspects of the business, freight, printers, manufacturers, seamstresses, framers, and dropshipping. Essential, but geez it was hard to nail all these into cohesive and workable links in my business. I am still working on all aspects and tweaking all the time.
• Product design wasn't a challenge but the sampling and testing, rejects/re-designing was but essential. I really enjoy this part of my business, but a lot of energy and cost are involved.
• Building a social community and creating brand awareness. I have no marketing background, so I rely on organic reach and wonderful communities such as FindHer VIP Inner Circle for support and information.
• Reflecting back, I think I went full-time earlier than I probably should have. But I had been working in a problematic workplace for quite a few years, which was taking a toll on my mental state. The loss of income was stressful at first.

I've been full-time for seven months now, and perseverance and a real passion for my business keep me going and pushing myself to learn all I can and improve in all areas of my business. 

Surrounding myself with other like-minded people who are supportive and in a similar situation makes every day a joy.

What would you do differently if you could start your business from scratch?

I would have applied for a business grant to outsource all the deep technical aspects of my business to the experts. 

Due to the cost, I have had to wear all the hats with minimal knowledge in marketing, finance, business-related things, and I had to learn website design. Having to learn so much perhaps delayed brand growth. In saying that, I would not have the skills I now have. Learning and doing everything myself has made me a jack of all trades, and I am constantly amazed at what I have accomplished.

What is your favourite product offering and why? 

My art. I adore painting and drawing. Getting messy with paints has been and always will be my first love as a creative.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of a fresh new canvas, great music, your imagination and pots of paint. 

Do you offer a freebie to first time visitors to your website?

Yes! For aspiring artists, I have an e-book. It is a resource document with all the products an artist would need to create beautiful artwork. 

I've also created free downloadable mobile phone wallpapers of my artworks and designs that everyone is loving.

Now that you've described your business and what you've done, explain further what's sets your business apart.

I have a unique style, whether it is my art or products. As a travel artist, I offer my customers the opportunity to transport themselves to those exotic destinations you can only dream about through my artwork. 

Each piece has a back story depicting why and how each piece came into existence. My branded products are eclectic and totally unique to any other design, created in my studio and exclusive to my business. 

On a personal level, what do you believe is your greatest strength? 

An ability to keep my head up and to rise above it all with a clear and concise vision of what I want to achieve...and an amazing sense of humour. 

I have an uncanny ability of being able to not take myself too seriously, and I believe that is what has gotten me through those tough times. 

What was something you used to be hopeless at tell us what you did to learn/be better at the thing you were hopeless at?

Ummm business! 

When I made that first conscious effort to start my business, I had no idea what hard work it would be and continues to be. 

Research, study, ask questions, reach out, sign up to and join groups of people who know all about it....that is key to success and knowledge.

Where I am today and where I was back then are poles apart. Pretty chuffed, to be honest, at the woman I am today.

Describe a memorable moment in your business journey.

Selling my first original artwork to an International client. Imagine me doing a happy dance and screaming with joy. 

What a day that was!

I cried with excitement, not just because I had a sale but because this particular artwork resonated so much with this particular client. It was like I painted it with her in mind. A match made in heaven and a moment I won't forget.

Please share another story about how someone made you feel about your business.

One of my clients wrote this in a testimonial. It meant so much to me because she really 'got' me and understood why I create. 

"Danielle painted this artwork and I knew I had to have it. It represents so much about life to me and reminds me there is so much beneath the surface of what we see. I move this artwork around my house and it has blessed almost every room. Her art is a pure reflection of what a beautiful person she is". 

It still brings a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. Such lovely words.

Who has been a significant mentor or role model in your life and how have they influenced your business?

My husband has been my rock. He has supported my crazy vision of starting a business, put up with many lonely weekends due to heavy painting sessions, given helpful or not helpful feedback haha, and been there as my sounding board. 

Although he doesn't have a business background and doesn't really understand the complexities of websites and e-commerce, he has still been there when needed, trying to understand and giving full support. 

I believe being organised with a well-laid-out plan each week to have free time for family and friends is integral. It doesn't always go to plan but for the majority of the time it does and we have our weekends together. 

In the early stages of my business I was working 7 days a week juggling a job and building my business. That was not sustainable so things had to change. I think I have a good balance now, thankfully.

What motivates you to keep growing and improving your business?

I am incredibly passionate about my business. I also want to see my business turn into a lifestyle business.

To explain – My husband and I will be 56 next week (yep same day and same age) crazy hey?

I'd like him to enjoy early retirement in a few years, and I would like to continue creating. If this can be achieved through my thriving business...it will be happy dances all round. 

What message would you like to share with other women entrepreneurs just starting out?

Take that deep breath and just do it. I procrastinated for over ten years, talking and not walking the walk. I know that whether my business is successful or not, I would have sorely regretted it if I hadn't backed myself. There would be nothing worse than feelings of regret.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps and start a similar business?

As a creative, we are all unique in our own way and we all have something special to offer to the world. 

Embrace your talents, go out there and be exceptional.

What is the greatest reward of running your own business?

I am the decider of my future.

Danielle Brown Owner of Lotus and Lilly Australian Travel Artist >

Lilly and Lotus Reviews:

"If you are looking for a unique artwork piece for your home, look no further than Lotus & Lilly Designs. Danielle is amazing and very talented with what she creates. Danielle had all the options to suit any budget and helped with recommendations with what materials would be added to the canvas. Seeing our piece at the end in person was truly spectacular. We now have a unique art design in our home that was personalised to us with all the finer details handcrafted by someone truly talented and passionate.This won’t be the only piece for us, we will be definitely getting a couple more after the seamless experience we had. Thank you so very much!"  - Jade and Miranda ,Mackay 

"We were looking for a piece of art to put in our entrance way and Danielle had the perfect piece for us! We get so many compliments about it. This piece caught our eye and we fell in love with it immediately. We can’t thank Danielle enough for our painting and will certainly be getting more amazing paintings from her. Thank you so much, Danielle."  - Shannon G, Mackay, Qld 

"Lotus and Lilly are an amazing small business that go above and beyond to ensure the customer is happy! Owner Danielle followed up my order every step of the way and I was thrilled with my purchase. Would not hesitate to use them again." - Michelle T, Qld

"Danielle provided a custom artwork for our daughter's graduation present - she expertly guided us with the design from our initial idea to a piece that is meaningful and beautiful. It arrived safely and quickly. I have previously purchased her furoshiki fabric which was also equisite. We will definitely be back for more! "  - Michelle T, Qld

"We love arts and were always looking for something different and authentic. Browsing through Lotus and Lilly Designs website captured our attention. We fell in love with Old Madrasa of Athens, the painting that talks to you from the ancient world of bygone. And now is a centre of attention in our home in Auckland New Zealand." - Sima M, Auckland, NZ