I'm so excited about this week I can hardly stand it. It's been in the works and in my heart for a long time and I'm thrilled to kick it off TODAY which happens to also be my 36th birthday. There will be daily giveaways (big ones, including the one today - more information below), fun stories, videos, but more importantly this week is all about celebrating DEMDACO, my licensing partner responsible for all the awesome products that have entered the gift market these last couple of years. This week I'll share the story of our partnership and I'll introduce you to a few key players who I work closely with. You'll get an inside glimpse of how it all works, the people involved, the process. I'll take you behind the scenes to show you how + where the products are actually made, and so much more. If you're an artist who is interested in licensing your work, or if you're just a fan of the products, you'll learn a ton and be inspired by the stories that weave in and out throughout the culture of DEMDACO, the process of product development, and more.
I AM SO EXCITED! I want this week to celebrate their company and all of the good work they do celebrating artists and changing lives.
The story of how we came to partner is a great story and one that celebrates the idea of taking big risks - more about that later this week. Today, I want you to know how I feel about this company because in a world where we often hear about the greed and the unethical ways of so many big companies, DEMDACO stands out to me personally and to so many others as an example of how I want to grow + conduct my own small business and my actual life. As you will see, they are all about heart, soul, doing the right thing, and offering up products to the retail market that align with their mission: to lift the spirit. They even have a full-time employee with the job title of "Cultural Conversation Leader" - that's how seriously intentioned they are to uphold the remarkable culture of their company.
I had the great opportunity to have a conversation with Dave Kiersznowski (you can call him Dave K), the founder and co-owner (with his bride, Demi) of DEMDACO. We talked about many things including the breakfast we had together a couple of years ago that completely and totally changed my life (I wrote a tiny bit about it here), how DEMDACO was founded on the groundbreaking view that business is "a human endeavor and not a financial endeavor" and so much more. Our conversation is about 30 minutes long - listen to it while doing the dishes, folding the laundry and be prepared to be INSPIRED.
Their company culture and Dave K's thoughts/views will astound you. It will inspire you. It will make you think about your own small businesses (and your life) and how all the micro and big decisions you make throughout the day can lead to a soulfully fulfilling mission. Whether you're offering pot holders or meaningful art, you can instill a culture within your business/life that speaks to the heart of all that is good. My goal with this video is for you to feel how I felt after having breakfast with him: inspired with endless possibilities, and uplifted.
Big thanks to Jonathan Jones at Demdaco for editing our skype conversation!
OMG! To kick off "DEMDACO appreciation week" here on the blog, the good peeps at DEMDACO offered something pretty amazing giveaway: A DAY WITH KELLY RAE! They are offering one lucky commenter (comments are open, friends) a chance to win an ALL EXPENSE PAID ADVENTURE to the DEMDACO headquarters with me!!!!!! The trip includes airline fees, all meals, a semi-private workshop with me, and more. With me by your side every step of the way, you'll get a personal tour of DEMDACO, a sneak peek of behind the scenes and never before seen upcoming Kelly Rae products, an intimate (just a few of us, just for FUN) workshop led by me where we'll get our hands messy with glue and paint, an original painting by me, and more.
HOW COOL IS THAT?
Okay, here's how you can win the ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP + ORIGINAL PAINTING:
1. You must be 21 or over
2. You must live within the continental US (international peeps, we love you so be sure to keep reading on how you can win something too!)
3. You gotta be willing to travel to Kansas City sometime within the next few months (we're flexible!)
4. You have to leave a comment in this post. Telling us why a trip like this would be valuable to you. Tell what you love about Demdaco. Anything goes! Did you get something out of the video chat? Tell us! Do you have a favorite product from the Demdaoco line? Your answer can be super short, super long, anything goes!
5. Just one comment per person, please.
6. Go! Go! Go!
And just for fun, I'm also going to give away an additional original painting to one lucky commenter who may not qualify because you don't live within the continental US. International friends, I'm so grateful for you! Please be sure to comment and I'll pick an additional lucky commenter to receive the additional original painting up for grabs - my treat to you! Go, Go, GO!
Up tomorrow: Demdaco Appreciation Week continues with more giveaway fun!
To me, art has been the unexpected discovery of finding my passion. When I finally put paint onto paper, my heart and life exploded with a joy I hadn’t known before.
