Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Keys
Hi Amy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
This is my 25th year painting! I began painting wine glasses and glass bowls in 2000. I had a little home show in my garage. My friend made beaded bracelets and serving wares. We thought we were something!
When my oldest son went to Mother’s Day Out in 2004, one of his teachers loved the gifts I painted for her. She gave me a push to paint more. As I grew in my trade, word of mouth was all I had. We didn’t have social media or texting. I did have a Nokia flip phone.
I had little home shows and commissions.
I joined social media in 2008 and my business catapulted. I have never had to advertise. My paintings now cross generations! It is amazing how my clients children have grown and now call on me for paintings. Makes me happy and makes me feel old.
I purposely don’t have a website. The world is too techy for me and I think giving clients access to me gives me the chance to build relationships. I also earn trust and they know I am approachable.
I have made some of my best friends via my painting. I am very transparent with my followers. I want them to really know me.
I believe that my clients knowing they can buy a great handmade painting and they don’t have to spend a ton of money is very gratifying. You should not have to spend a fortune to enjoy custom art that you love. Also life is too short to have generic stuff you don’t like on your walls and on your counters, so good art at a great price makes me happy.
I paint anything from ornaments to giant landscapes, florals,
Seasonal blocks, and everything in between. I often go into interior design mode for clients when I help them decide on colors and canvas sizes. That’s fun!
My clients basically named my business. Form20 years it was Painting For The Home And Heart. But clients kept referring to it as they ‘bought an AEK’’ or ‘look at my
AEK original’.
So if that’s the brand my clients use, I did too.
My pet peeves are copycats and when I am in public and realize I have paint in my hair. My clients are protective and will not hesitate to point out a copycat. Now if they would mention the paint in my hair…
Working for myself is not 8-5pm. It is ALL THE TIME so I am glad I enjoy what I do!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building business is one thing.
Keeping repeat customers is another.
You have to build real relationships to keep a client.
But you also need to work on new business too!
I enjoy balancing these.
A challenge is stepping away from my office! When you work for yourself it can be so hard to take a break. My clients are my smooth road. I work for some characters. Good and fun, genuine people.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have painted over 1,500 homes on canvas. I specialize in canvas and wood and use acrylic paint.
I have about 800 paint bottles in my office.
My favorite colors to paint with are gold, navy, blush and seafoam greens.
I am most proud of relationship building. It’s as important as what I paint. I love the people I work for! They are really my employers and I never take it for granted. I am proud of my prices too.
I am not a competitive person. But I am very competitive with myself. I like
to beat my goals and challenge myself. I am very supportive of my artist peers and all artisans and makers. Each October I host a lovely market in Collierville and have about 30 artists, bakers and makers. It’s awesome to help those just getting started!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Memphis is about people for me.
This city and surrounding areas made me who I am.
From school to marriage to raising our boys to having a business. Memphis is my city.
Memphis is an incredible volunteer city. If there is a need, it will be filled by the great people here. We often don’t realize how great the needs are but I have worked alongside incredible people trying to make Memphis better. Memphians know how to step up. I am particularly fond of Room In The Inn, All 4’s Rescue League, Birthright. But so many more to list! Memphis keep doing your work!
Least? Crime. Driving the 240 loop, humidity.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: AEK Paintings
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.e.keys and https://www.facebook.com/groups/855194021218533/
