This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at VCU chapter.
For this week’s Mural Monday, meet Emily Herr! A VCU alumni who started up her own mural painting business, Herr Suite! Emily takes commissions from clients and has done work around the country, and even got to travel abroad!
When did you start Herr Suite?August of 2013
What was starting your own business like? Surreal. I started it straight from school, actually based on a Business of Art class assignment, so for the whole first year it just felt like I was working on a class project. There were a lot of rules to investigate and follow to get registered and licensed etc, and building my website took a lot of time. All the while I would just keep painting murals in the background, and try to refine my process for working with clients. I had enough saved (and super low overhead) so the transition from school to self-employed was eerily seamless.
Fantasia Drive (Herndon, VA – Little girl’s bedroom)
What’s one of the biggest challenges you face as a small business owner? I’m completely responsible for everything involved with HerrSuite, which often means thousands of dollars, people’s private homes, etc. I’m fortunate that I haven’t faced any big roadblocks that entrepreneurs often hit: large startup expenses, red tape, costly accidents, etc. My luck will run out eventually though, so my next challenge is getting some good insurance.
Where are some of the cool places you’ve got to travel painting murals? I did a study abroad while at VCU: I spent part of the summer in Costa Rica studying mural painting. Almost all of my murals are in Richmond, either around town or in private homes. I love the opportunity mural-painting affords me of peeking behind closed doors – I get to see the working side of businesses and the inside of fancy houses. Working in my clients personal space is a unique opportunity to really get to know them and create something very personal as a result.
Check out some more of Emily’s work!
Sefton Coffee (Downtown Richmond, VA)
DO,LLC (Hartford, Conneticut)
Wanna see more? Check out her website at www.herrsuite.com !