Today, The Platinum Mask channel would like to introduce Whitney Hawkins for a conversation.
Hey! Please explain to the audience what you’re promoting.
My custom pop art pet print business, What’s The Kitsch, but also trying to expand into collaborating for merch design for businesses or individuals with the same artistic visions as my brand.
What was the biggest obstacle in your journey and how did you overcome it?
Well I have a lot but the biggest is probably that I am not a classically trained graphic designer. I didn’t know photoshop. I taught everything to myself.
What separates you from similar organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?
Well I haven’t found anyone who does similar work to mine yet but if we’re are going to go broader like other artists who specialize in pets I would say I go to great lengths to make sure that each print is customized to each client to the best of my ability. I add details in that are small but meaningful to them and really listen when they tell me about their pets or just interacting with them.
Is there anything you wished you would have known earlier in your journey?
Yes I wish I would have know that starting a business on your own is the hardest thing that someone can do. I have to not only do the art I also have to market myself, build a brand, expenses, margins, etc.
Do you have any favorite spots in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?
I do. So I am not from here and I actually don’t live here full time but I live here part time while transitioning our life from upstate NY to texas. We are hoping to be full time residence by 2023. Some of my favorite spots that I have discovered in Dallas and adore are Apothecary Social, Nickel and Suede, Toller Patio, and Mutts Cantina.
What was your upbringing like and did you discover your passion early on?
My upbringing was normal and strange at the same time. I was born in Boston. My father immigrated from Australia at 17 alone and my mother is from western MA. I was diagnosed with ADD at a very young age at a time that it wasn’t “cool” to have ADD. With the add came anxiety and depression as well. I was embarrassed by it and didn’t tell anyone. I have lots to say about this because it’s a very complex relationship I have with my upbringing but the long story of this is no I did not find my passion early persay. I went to 4 colleges. Got asked to leave one of them two times. I worked pointless jobs. I had many lives. No bachelors degree. Have been trying to chase find a path my whole life and stumbled into this world that I taught myself and finally feel like I know who I am. I am still learning every day and have created a full business with a good amount of success in a short time and it’s the thing I and the most proud of everyday but also have the internal imposter syndrome that can come alone with it.
Were your friends supportive of your mission?
My friends were the most supportive I have ever seen a human be.
Any links you want to share for the viewers?
