Today we’d like to introduce you to Robi Ann Sales.
Hi Robi Ann, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always admired my mom’s handwriting—both her print and especially her cursive. So naturally, my parents wanted me to improve my handwriting skills when I was in elementary school by having me write standards (fellow geriatric millennials, do you remember those?!). This started me on my path of experimenting with different handwriting styles, which I continued up through university.
In 2016, I found myself working in the corporate world as an interior designer, but at home, I was living within a toxic romantic relationship where I lost my sense of self. I happened to stumble upon brush lettering and calligraphy during that time, which did wonders for me in terms of improving my mental health. It reminded me of those standards I used to write as a little girl, and it also reminded me how much I enjoyed handwriting.
Out of the invigorated joy that calligraphy gave me, it was the kick in the pants I needed to take back control of my life. I gained the strength to leave that toxic relationship behind and also gained the motivation to take the next step in my professional career and step into a prominent management role. Since then, I embarked on the roller coaster ride of entrepreneurship, and opened up my calligraphy studio side business, Robi Ann Ink.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. The struggles have been multi-faceted. For one, back when I was learning calligraphy, resources, and information weren’t as easily accessible as they are today. I was able to take a few lettering and calligraphy classes, but I was mainly self-taught since I am left-handed, and all the classes I took and books I read were based around right-handed lessons. The trials and tribulations of figuring out what works for me and what doesn’t were, and sometimes still are a constant struggle. Falling into the comparison trap was almost always a quick spiral into self-doubt and second-guessing my skills, especially since calligraphy has picked up steam on social media in recent years. And don’t get me started on the ever-pervasive Imposter Syndrome!
Whenever I get into those ruts, taking extensive social media breaks and finding inspiration from creative artists outside of the calligraphy community has brought me back to center.
Another struggle for me was accepting my new identity as a “calligrapher.” I’ve always been a creative person, but like many people, I’ve been raised to be someone who must go to college and find a good career. Entrepreneurship seemed out of the question, especially one in the art field. For a good while, I was ashamed to admit that I would be willing to give up my well-paying 9-to-5 career to be a calligraphy artist. I felt that I would be failing my parents if I chose a path that took me away from what I believed was expected of me, but, in fact, those were my feelings that I was projecting onto them.
To this day, I balance the dual life of being both a calligrapher and a corporate world career woman. Just as my struggles have been multi-faceted, I, myself, am multi-faceted and have changed my mindset by learning that ‘success’ comes in many different ways.
We’ve been impressed with Robi Ann Ink, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a luxury calligrapher who offers services for all types of occasions, ranging from personal commissions to high-end brand experiential activations. I specialize in supporting brands and entrepreneurs by elevating their guest experiences by providing on-the-spot calligraphy personalizations. In this digital age of technology, the opportunity to engage with the community face-to-face is refreshing and leaves a lasting impression.
Personalizations can be achieved in various ways, such as dipped pointed pen or brush pen on paper, etched engraving on glass, debossing or hot foiling on leather, as well as pyrography on wood. I love working with clients to bring their vision to life!
In addition, I also enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for the craft by offering brush lettering workshops. It is a wonderful creative outlet that anyone can learn (and you don’t have to have good handwriting!). I truly believe this art offers a practice of mindfulness. The focus on the rhythmic flow of each brush stroke has a meditation-like, calming effect. Breathing in with each upstroke and breathing out on each downstroke. Calligraphy has helped get me through some tough times in the past which is why mental health is at the core of my calligraphy journey. I’m passionate about sharing my story and past experiences with others so that perhaps I can encourage someone else to embrace on their own mental wellness journey with calligraphy.
The genuine smiles on my students’ faces after they have learned a new skill and have created their first personalized piece truly energize my spirit.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my journey is not to wait until I’m ‘ready.’ It is too easy to get caught up in the research and development phase and consider myself as not being ready when, in fact, I am too scared to start. If I had waited until I thought I was ready, Robi Ann Ink would probably still be just a thought in my mind. Both my first on-site event and my first workshop happened because people approached me and believed in me. Their confidence in me propelled me into my journey and made me realize that I had been ready all along. We can sometimes be our own worst enemy, which is why having a strong support system has been a key element in my journey. As a small business owner, feelings of doubt and the fear of ‘not being ready’ will always lurk in the shadows, and I must remind myself of how far I’ve come. I use moments like these as lessons that I can share with my audience to show that it’s okay to not feel ready, but I am hopeful that I can encourage them to take the next step in their journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://robiannink.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robiannink/
Image Credits
Paige Ray
