By Heather Green
One of the things I love most about our industry is that unlike any other industry in the world, it is female dominated and thriving! I love reading the forums and seeing artists share their stories, their ideas, their artwork and willingly.
This post is not meant to male bash, because at the end of the day we can not exist without one another. But as a self confessed business lover, I am always so enthusiastic to see female owned creative businesses doing great.
The FABAIC just finished and I have to say it is my favorite time of the year. I love the FABAIC because I get to see and catch up with so many amazing people from all over the globe. And this year was special, I had so many great conversations with Super women. Now they might not want to claim that title but I have to call it like I see it.
Saskia Timmermans from Holland makes the trip to FABAIC every year. She is the Mehron UK distributor and co producer of EFABE (The European version of FABAIC). I see her work hard to meet new artists, recruit for her event, and push her business. I have watched her grow her business over the years and its so awesome to see her doing great. Then there is the one and only Lea’ Selley creator of Graffiti Stencils. Her stencil line has taken the industry by storm and created a culture of funky face painting art that transformed the average design into whoa that’s damn cool! As I walked around the vendors room noticeably every booth was booming and all run by women! Andrea Odonnell and her Bad Ass booth, changed the entire face painting world a couple years ago with her BAD, BAM, and HAM stencils. And she didn’t stop there, she took her friends along with her and has helped other great artists create their own stencils too. Then there’s Donna Nowak creator of the Pro Aiir line of Airbrush make up and ink and Show Off stencils. I have watched this lady work her tail off over the
past 8 years inventing, teaching, and sharing her techniques to help people make money with an airbrush and she does it almost alone. The other super woman in the FAB world is Tal Thompson from the Art Factory. Tal is a go getter, always re inventing the wheel, creating new products and ideas and sharing with passion. The list goes on and on. From Melissa Munn and her successful painting business in NYC, to my best friend Lisa Pizza and her Zen Love Bliss collection debut , to Kerry Ann Depetro aka Anna from Frozen and her About Face business blogs and teaching, Margi Kanter and her awesome Chicago business, Edie Cady and her hand made Artist on the Go cases, Aubrie Jean and her handcrafted aprons and the list goes on and on!
I recently received an email from another painter and she made me blush. She said that I inspired her to start her own blog. I was so honored that I wanted to share it. I started reading her blog and loved the fact that she so willingly shared her knowledge. Check out Sara Myers Blog here Sara shares her business and tech knowledge and I am sure this info will help some of us painters that take thousands of pictures and never transfer them to a storage device.
If you are struggling with business direction or need a boost of confidence I have to remind you that you are in the right place. The FAB industry is like a huge family. If you ask a question on our forum you will receive tons of answers, if you want to know where to get the best red paint I am sure everyone will send you to Silly Farm 
(just kidding- not really) , or if you just need a frozen inspired design you will receive lots of support. I dont want to pretend like their aren’t days where we rant and sometimes get bitchy with one another, but the bigger picture is that we have a growing, blossoming and exciting women run industry with no one stopping us.
I am fortunate that I come from a long line of success business women. My mother and business partner, Claudia taught me so much about business that no text book could ever teach me. My aunt, Marcela taught me the fundamentals of customer service and business integrity and those ideals have helped me grow Silly Farm.
I recommend the book called Lean In it is written by FaceBook COO Sheryl Sandberg. 
Her book talks a lot about how women are still behind in grabbing the business bulls by the horn. I have been actively sharing our industry story with her. I am proud to be a apart of such a dynamic industry. The FAB world is full of women starting their own businesses, wearing all the hats including mom and wife and following their dreams. Sheryl’s book started a movement to help push and publicize women entrepreneurs. If you have a free moment check out the Lean IN movement and see how you can get involved.
Entrepreneurship is hard, if it were easy everyone would run and operate successful business and be rolling in the dough. I commend each of you for working hard, not giving up, and pushing through when business outlook seems grey. We are a rare breed and special.
With all that said, please remember that if you need guidance, if you have questions, if you feel lost you are part of a larger community. Together we can do great things, we just first have to start.
Happy hump day friends <3 <3
Heather
