Spotlight on Local: Wolf Feathers
Why did you develop the brand you did? What does it mean to you and what do you think it means to your clients?
Wolf Feathers was started as a direct response to the need of animal rescue groups both here in the Austin area and nationwide. It dawned on me that I could use my artistic talents to help raise funds (over $15K donated so far) and bring awareness to those in need. All of our dogs have been rescues (thank you Austin Humane Society!) and have deeply impacted my life. Creating through Wolf Feathers helps me and my clients feel that we are positively impacting the world!
What is the favorite piece you make or sell? Why does it stand out?
My favorites are the statement turquoise pieces and colorful brass earrings. The turquoise pieces have a vintage, eclectic, almost nostalgic Southwest vibe that reminds me of our honeymoon in Taos/Santa Fe area; while the colorful brass earrings let my creative side run wild with fun and energetic color combinations.
How has being an entrepreneur effected the way you view the world?
Everything in my daily life has purpose; a passion that drives me every day to create and spread my mission to give back through the proceeds from Wolf Feathers. I wake up every day with a fire that we CAN make a positive difference to these animals in need.
Does being a business owner impact your personal life? How?
Very much, but in a positive way! There’s purpose, creativity, and a drive that imbues each day with this feeling of “I can do it!”. I love creating, it’s my outlet, my purpose…to be able to create for a living is a dream come true! Bonus, my husband is also a creative business owner, so we love our time creating together and bouncing ideas off each other. It’s really helped our relationship grow stronger on so many levels.
What do you hope will change about your business in five years?
My main hope is to continue evolving creatively and get our Wolf Feathers brand and mission out there to be supported by even more people in our awesome community. I really feel like the more we grow, the more we can help! I also hope to have a larger studio space in the future!
What do you hope will be the same about your business in five years?
I hope the passion, the drive, the authenticity to the ‘why’ I’m creating every day stays the same.
How do you try to support Austin women?
I love being part of this rich and vibrant creative community here in Austin! It’s so important for us all to work together by sharing, communing in feedback, and really teaching and learning from each other. We really are all on the same awesome and amazing creative team! I’m an open book and love to teach others the artistic skills I’ve learned over the years.
What can the city government or local community do to support your business (besides visiting it more)?
Really think about where you spend your money. It’s the stories behind us small businesses that really get to the heart of what makes us human. Shop the farmer’s markets and pop ups; make it a goal to show up and support the gallery events and shows. Make the effort to really take in all that this artistic community has to offer. It would be amazing if the city had even more sponsored fairs, galleries, pop ups, etc to support the artists that live here.
What about your brand or yourself do you most associate with Austin? How does it reflect Austin?
Austin is where I found peace and balance with myself as a person…where I feel like I’ve finally grown into myself as a woman with a mission and purpose; I’ve healed grief here; I laughed hysterically here; I got married here (in my cowboy boots of course!); I’ve grown spiritually, emotionally, and artistically here. Austin is an eclectic place…it fits who I am and the designs I create. There is no “one true Austin”; it’s a little bit of everything that makes it…well…Austin!
If you were allowed to only eat one food every day for the rest of your life, but it provided you all the nutrition you needed, what would that food be and what do you love about it?
Potatoes! I’m about to Forest Gump here…they can be fixed so many ways! Baked potato, loaded potato, potato skins, home fries, French fries, mashed, potato salad, potato casserole, sweet potatoes, purple potatoes, red potatoes…you get my point. They are a staple at our house!
