Now that I've successfully gotten songs from Tangled stuck in your head, lets get real. I've got a dream for this little business of mine. I'm a firm believer in saying aloud, writing down, or anything that gets your goals out of your head and into the known. Some call it, "putting it out to the universe," others think of it as a way to motivate yourself to achieve those goals. Whatever your reasoning, I dig it. It's important to let things out and work towards them. 

© Whitney Beth Photography © Whitney Beth Photography

     Unbeknownst to me, my dream started developing back in college, while I attended UVU. If you are familiar with the art building, you know that there is no space. It's literally like they took anything even remotely close to the arts and shoved us in a building together. We're talking photography, fine arts, drawing, sculpting, music, theater, dance (those poor dancers had to be split between two buildings - each on opposite sides of campus), all of my art history classes were in the GT as well. I lost track of how many times I was in class, learning about the Dada or Impressionistic period, only to have to strain to hear my teacher over the sound of a Tuba on one side of the classroom and a theater class practicing death scenes on the other. At first, I thought this was ridiculous, and it is - from an academic stand point, but then I realized how inspiring it was. Walking past doorways to get to class I'd catch glimpses of different mediums and forms of art. Ballerinas would be stretching in the hall, Illustrators would be working on their still life's, photographers would be setting up lights for a shoot, and so on. I loved it. And an idea began to form. 

     I wanted to create a space for creators. To be able to thrive off of each other and provide inspiration. I want to work along side florists and makeup artists, potters, painters and anyone else who needs a space to create, with of course, big, beautiful spaces for natural and artificial light studios. I'll let you in on a secret, when I registered my business, I didn't do it under Whitney Beth Photography, that's my DBA. Instead, as far as the state is concerned, I am The Robbins Nest Creative Studios. Danny and I did this for a couple of reasons. The first being that Danny makes pottery and I also teach children's art classes, so we wanted to make us getting paid the easiest. ha. (and because I run all the businesses and don't have time to keep track of three different llcs.) The second being that it would be so perfect for this creative nest that I want to build. On top of allowing "office space" to rent out to other creatives, we want to turn the two main areas into a venue! Danny and I have this grand plan to have a rooftop garden, greenhouse-esque rentable space as well as a grand hall area inside. I drew up this scetch one day while I was day dreaming. 

     Seriously, how cool would that be?! Not only would it be a creative hive, but a functioning venue for weddings and events! We've even toyed with the idea of have a mini gallery in the front lobby where our resident artists can display their work for sale. If you haven't already gathered, I'm a huge advocator for community over competition. There is already so much that goes into running your own business and putting your heart on display for the world to see the way creatives do. I want to help each other and grow together. 

(image curtesy of Google street view)

     Clearly, from all the things I've mentioned, we are going to need the perfect location that is big enough to house all of this growth. I am always looking and I always have my eyes out for old buildings up for sale. But there is this one lot that just speaks to me. There used to be a church here. But for whatever reason, it was torn down and they moved locations. It has probably sat empty for at least 5 years. Every time I drive past it, I just think of how perfect everything is. Stunning views of the mountains for the rooftop venue, easy access, close to me, I could go on. The only problem that is standing between me and my dream property is funds. We may not have enough at the moment, but someday we will. Even if it's not this dream location, I'm confident we will find one that I love just as much. That's the beauty of putting out your goals for the world to see. It's scary, but it's empowering to say, "I am going to do this!" 

I am GOING to do this!