Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Rocha.
Nicole, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
For as long as I can remember, I have had this creative energy. Lucky for me, teachers noticed early on and they encouraged my parents to burn this energy by taking private art lessons. My parents took this advice, and immediately enrolled me into private art lessons, which I took all the way through high school. College came around and I decided to head up north to the beautiful mountains of Plymouth State University. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my artistic abilities, but I did know I was nervous of the term “starving artist”. It’s not easy figuring out how to make a career out of art. I realized my school had a great Graphic Design program, something I knew nothing about. I learned computer generated art, like making logos, brochures, basically anything that was printed, which also came hand in hand with learning how to market yourself. By the time I graduated college, the job market was sparse and competitive, and it was hard to find a job without having any real experience.
However, it was also the start of a new world when social media began to surface. Apps like Facebook and Instagram were quickly becoming easy marketing tools for many who were trying to self promote and start small businesses. Etsy also came around, a user friendly website for many artists to sell their goods online. A few years back a friend of mine told me it would be dumb to not open up an Etsy shop and sell art. She was right. I opened up Birch Butterfly in 2016 and I was so psyched with the response! One project led to another, and I began creating a variety of work for clients, from wedding invitations, to pet portraits, house portraits, art prints, nursery art, logos etc. There is nothing more rewarding than the excitement I receive from clients after creating something special and unique for them. I have also worked in the retail industry for over a decade, which has given me experience with buying, trend patterns, and customer service. I feel thankful to have acquired all these types of skills that have slowly helped mold me into this entrepreneurial role.
Has it been a smooth road?
I am the type of person that likes to hope for the best, but try to mentally prepare myself for the worst. Mistakes are important for personal growth. Without them, we would never learn how to improve. I am still at the beginning of this journey, but if I have any advice to give, it is to follow your heart, take risks, and remember to enjoy the journey, and stop focusing on the end result. I am still working on this, but I can say I at least try to remind myself of this every time and again. One thing I read somewhere that I will never forget, is that if you truly believe you can do something, you can. It is human nature to get frustrated and question what it is you are doing, but if you have that burning desire, keep going!
We’d love to hear more about Birch Butterfly.
I am an artist that specializes in creating custom artwork for my clients. Whether it be invitations or portraits, I am here to translate your ideas into art! I love working with all types of mediums such as acrylics, watercolors, gouache or even printmaking inks. One of my most popular requests is pet portraits. I think what sets me apart from others are my unique color choices. I get so excited to see what colors come through a photograph and then figuring out how to make that color. For example, It could be a black lab, but instead of seeing black, I usually end up seeing a variation of blues, depending on the lighting of the photograph. Sometimes greens, sometimes red. That is probably my best strength when I paint. I am most proud of my business when I am able to touch someone’s life through my artwork.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
Overall, I find that the support system that women have today is incredible. However, I think in general, one of the biggest barriers can be competitiveness. There is so much talent and so many creative minds out there, people tend to compare their success to other people’s success. In this industry, it is important to be yourself. Originality is everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.etsy.com/shop/birchbutterfly
- Email: birchbutterfly@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birchbutterfly
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birchbutterfly
Image Credit:
Nicole Rocha
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
