What no one tells you about 5 years in business

I was thinking the other day and realized... we’ve officially been in business for over five years now. Which is just crazy to think. Small business is incredibly hard, and you can tell by the stats: 80% survive year 1, 50% survive through year 5, and only 35% survive through year 10. I am just so, so proud of us and honored to be here (p.s. we will be here for year 10, too!).

I think a lot of people see small business from the outside and picture full freedom, working from coffee shops (seriously: lol), sitting in yoga pants on your couch on your computer (also: lol), or "just working when you want to". Trust me, none of that is correct. Small business is pushing past your comfort zones day after day, it's taking risks, it's learning, it's hard--very hard--work, it's sacrifice, it's making mistakes, it's coming face to face with your weaknesses and figuring out how to overcome them, it's sleepless nights, it's working from a deep place of love and purpose and grit ... it's all of those and so much more. I love being an entrepreneur. I'm truly so thankful.  

It definitely hasn't been a smooth ride. We’ve had some extreme highs, but we’ve also had some really hard times. I wouldn't change any of it because every hard thing made me better. The good things make me thankful and grateful.

And we would NOT be here without you guys. Period.

The way this community has wrapped around me, my team, and this small business through every single up and down... I don't even have the words.

If you missed it, I made a huge shift on March 1, 2026, because I built a business that on the outside looked successful, but on the inside didn't feel like me. The majority of this year has been spent pivoting, rebuilding foundations, and defining what I want our future to be. I know I'm on the right track, as I’ve actually painted more this year than I have since I created the original 50 State Series!

Fun fact that a lot of people don't know: I literally NEVER did watercolor before that first state series. I was strictly charcoal and ink! But back in 2020/2021, I was going through such a dark, hard place with being so sick, and for whatever reason, watercolor just felt right. It's kind of wild that I haven't stopped with it since.

Over these last five years, I’ve really gotten to hone those watercolor skills and push myself. But I'm so excited to keep evolving—including bringing my charcoals back out for my upcoming artist residency in Italy!

We're heading into a whole new season now, and it feels more me than ever before. I think this new Coastal Series is honestly some of the best work I’ve ever done... and getting to pair it with coordinated wallpaper has me eager and excited for this new adventure and challenge.

Yep, we've gone from a studio/warehouse to 90% remote work. And I'm now painting out of a spare bedroom in our home, but it all feels right. I'm still just as driven & ambitious, just in a way that aligns with me, my gifts, the work/life balance of my team, and the ability to be present with my family.

None of this happens without you. Every order, every kind comment... it keeps our doors open and keeps me painting. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being on this journey with us.

So much love,
Amanda

Collections our Customers are loving:

• The State Flower 50 State Series
• The Original 50 State Series
• The Great Blue Heron
• Love + Remembrance Collection
• Coastal Collection