Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadine Isaacs.
Nadine, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am originally from Cape Town, South Africa and moved to California when I was six years old. My father wanted to pursue a PhD at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, but that dream was hindered by his immigration status. At a young age, I understood that we were undocumented, but I never understood why we had to struggle so much financially. However, we did what we needed to survive in America. We eventually received our immigration papers after nine years and the first thing I did was take a trip back home.
When I was 17 years old, I took a trip to my father’s hometown, Graaff-Reinet, South Africa. It was an extremely small; rural town, with so much character. I immediately felt connected to Graaff-Reinet because it was an intimate town with an immense amount of love.
The families there support one another during tumultuous times and see the beauty in the blessings they have. I also met the most intelligent, passionate children who had the potential to have a huge impact on the world but lacked the educational resources to develop their potential. I felt compelled to be a catalyst of change for these youth.
During the summer of 2016, I returned to South Africa to complete a political internship after I received my degree in Political Science from UCR. As I grassroots campaigned, it became disheartening to see that South Africa’s economy was in a really dire state and many people had lost faith in the government and just life in general. They felt helpless and lost their ability to hope for a better future given their circumstances. I went door to door to speak with families, I witnessed extreme destitute conditions. I noticed the lack of income, government assistance, food, access to health-care, employment as well as the high number of people that lived in each household. The most pervasive issue was the increase in population but no increase in the job market. I explored various possible solutions to rectify this issue, ultimately, I had decided the way to create a door for people to access social mobility was for me to create the access myself.
My vision of paying it forward was starting my own business to raise money for my foundation in Graaff- Reinet and thereafter teaching the skills I developed to other people. I realized that not many African Americans or Coloured South Africans have anything they can claim as their own or pass onto their children. People seldom own their own businesses. If they do, they operate the shop out of their house. I wanted to start my own business, own property across various countries, and create a coworking space that would allow minority business owners to effectively manage and grow their businesses. It is my way of “teaching a man to fish”. In politics, I can provide subsidies and welfare, but through skill development I can educate others on ways to access mobility and accelerate their wealth for themselves. Knowledge is a gift that lasts forever.
In the summer of 2018, I started the Social Entrepreneurship Program at USC Marshall School of business where I began exploring new business ideas. Initially, I didn’t know what type of business I wanted to create, but I knew my passion would eventually lead me in the right direction and it absolutely did. During my first semester of grad school I did a lot of soul searching, tapped into some passions I failed to make time for. I had always been a creative person but with a full-time work schedule, grad school and doing hair on the side, I never made time for my artistic side.
In October of 2018, I just picked up my paintbrush as a way to release some stress and the art business took off from there. People loved my custom pieces and a month later I began working at an art studio in Inglewood called A Toast to Artistry where I instructed paint and sip sessions. I loved it! It was my sanctuary. It did not take me long to figure out I had found my passion, and this would be the intrinsic capability I would optimize on to help create change. I never in a million years would have thought I would launch a paint and sip business, but it has been amazing and most importantly it has allowed me to combine my love for art and altruism. A lot of people ask me what Hope Illustrated means.
Hope illustrated means using our intrinsic to gifts to inspire and heal the world. The word hope has such a profound meaning which is why it such an integral part of my mission statement. Hope is the most essential component of human existence. Hope inspires us to be, to do, to live. Without it, we lose the feeling to be alive.
We illustrate hope with our golden paintbrush.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It is a new business, so the struggles of a startup are to be expected. Currently, we operate as a traveling business. The biggest barrier thus far has been a location where people can come to. We receive frequent inquiries but the issue is always event space. Nonetheless, we have booked quite a few events despite this barrier and we are really excited about what’s to come.
Please tell us about Hope Illustrated.
Hope Illustrated’s main focus is raising money for educational resources for students in South Africa. In partnership with my foundation, Hope Asanda, we aim to provide disadvantaged students with the tools they need to increase social and economic advancement. So not only are customers able to enjoy a relaxing session of paint and wine with good company, but they have the opportunity to be directly engaged in a movement that touches the lives of youth across South Africa.
After our first launch of business we were able to buy school supplies for an entire classroom. That was definitely a proud moment. This is a time when people are really being proactive about supporting social causes.
Another great thing about Hope Illustrated is, we customize our pieces based on the theme of the event. We bring great energy and really try to create an amazing vibe where everyone feels connected.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have started earlier. I entered the market a little late for a paint and sip, however I have faith that my passion will allow me to succeed in a market that is already heavily impacted. I have gained a lot of insight from business school at USC so I was very strategic in the way I launched my business. Like I said, it has been amazing. I have a great support system, the donations have been constant, and our first launch event was a success.
Pricing:
- Tickets are priced at $ 25-35 a person depending on pre-sketched preferences
- Custom pieces vary from $100-250
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hopeillustratedshop.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope_illustrated/
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