I have always believed that a fresh coat of paint has the power to transform not just the space around you, but also your whole mood, mindset, and the energy you have each day. As a woman who left the corporate world to pursue an entrepreneurial path, my dream was to “make it” as a mural artist and create a painting business that brought colour, story, and heart to every wall I touched. I truly believe I have the ability to not only transform walls with my artistic expression, but I can also positively change my clients’ lives by bringing their visions into reality. As I embarked on this amazing journey, like many small business owners, I realized I faced some common hurdles: financial strain, limited exposure, and the all-too-common feeling of trying to figure it all out alone.

I started to look online for that guidance by reaching out to other mural artists on social platforms like LinkedIn. That’s when I came across the BEHR® Women in Paint contest they launched in the fall, and my inner critic immediately told me that I wasn’t “pro” enough to apply. However, I still read through the rules and guidelines of the contest, and I soon realized it would be a fantastic chance to level up. I mean, who wouldn’t want the chance to win amazing prizes from Behr and The Home Depot, plus a mentorship with established home contractor and HGTV star Kate Campbell? Count me in! Despite my doubts, I pushed past my fears and entered the contest with cautious hope. When I found out I had won, it felt like an amazing door to my future in murals, painting and art had opened wide. I have taken this whole experience as the most beautiful sign that I am indeed on the right track in my life.

Although the contest money came in handy, what really changed the game for me was the mentorship sessions I received from Kate Campbell. As someone who’s built her name in the trades and isn’t afraid to tackle big ideas, Kate helped me think bigger about what my small business could become. Our conversations pushed me to be more strategic. She asked the right questions, encouraged me to get a professional website (a step I’d kept putting off), and helped me think through content ideas that better told my brand story. Like many small business owners, I underestimated how critical a digital presence is. I used to think that because my work spoke for itself, I didn’t need a website or structured branding. I was also inconsistent with my social posts and how many times I posted a week. But through our mentorship sessions, Kate helped me realize that visibility isn’t vanity, and having an online presence across all the social platforms along with a website is how you grow. Now that Ever After Murals & Signs has a website and better social content in place, I’m reaching more clients who resonate with the types of services I offer.

To any woman out there thinking of starting her own painting business, my advice is: do it. Start small, dream big, and seek out opportunities to connect with other professional women painters through industry association events and social media groups.

Look to brands like BEHR, which not only offer valuable resources and insights for women in the painting industry, but also support initiatives like Women in Paint, a program genuinely committed to supporting your growth.

Sometimes, all it takes is someone believing in your potential to help you see it for yourself.

Contributed by Heather Marczynski, Ever After Murals & Signs in partnership with Behr Paint Company