Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Barnes of Wendy Barnes Design, sharing her story below:
Hello and thank you! I create sustainable lifestyle designs from pen and ink drawings developed into fabrics and give back to partnered conservation organizations for each animal and plant.
I learned product design and how to sew while working for my sister’s business in the 1990’s, Underground Velvet, in Boston, MA. After a windy path and a bunch of school, I went on to a professional career in architectural design and decorating in New York City.
My entrepreneurial journey began in 2014 when I began interpreting wildlife in pen and ink. My passion was ignited, launching an art and design business featuring wildlife drawings paired philanthropically. Yay, I figured out my passion!
My brand’s vision is to champion wildlife conservation by blending forward-thinking design with awareness and support for the natural world. Of equal importance, each customer participates in wildlife conservation by choosing products for environmental good.
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?
In late 2014, just as my art business was starting to grow in Connecticut, my mom passed away in Florida, widowing my dad after 50 years of marriage. Realizing time was short (and loving warm weather), our family decided to move to Florida.
After getting my bearings here and taking a position to develop my interest in wildlife conservation at our local zoo, I was able to get back on track with my business as a side hustle and eventually went full-time in 2018.
When the pandemic began, I quickly shifted gears to mask making as hundreds of customers were asking for them and was able to keep the business afloat by sewing thousands of masks. Luckily, this enabled me to triple donations for most partners in 2020, helping many non-profits also get through a rough year.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
A common theme throughout my life has been to deviate from the norm. I challenge myself to look for new ways of doing things and attempt to master them. I tend to follow my intuition even when it might seem like a harder choice. With a very curvy path of educational and professional training, I believe each and every step was important and brought me to where I am now (with many loved ones questioning the decisions I made!)
When I draw an animal and sell it’s likeness as one of the designs, I feel compelled to give back to a wildlife conservationist working to protect it. I feel like I am ‘doing something’ to help. We can admire giraffes, woodpeckers, and whales all day long but truly contributing as we do so is a pillar to my mission. Unconventional methods are essential to solving human-caused damage to our planet. Uniting 26 (and growing) partners demonstrates just how many groups are working to help our world’s wildlife. Giving back to them and sharing their message while I sell something with a cute sea turtle on it is my brand’s fulfilling purpose.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I move forward every day, even when it seems like nothing is happening with patience, persistence and not giving myself the option of giving up. I view my end goal and keep moving towards it (and practice lots of self-work to keep motivated!)
Contact Info:
- Email: service@wendybarnesdesign.com
- Website: www.wendybarnesdesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendybarnesdesign
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendybarnesdesign
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXkMqm7pcInmLbhu-N3v0sA
