Rising Stars: Meet Rebecka Rubio of Covina, Ca

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecka Rubio.

Hi Rebecka, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my business about five years ago. I was working in the medical field during COVID times and I needed a distraction when I wasn’t working. My husband bought us some paper bookmarks and watercolor palettes to DIY as a family with our toddler.. and I never stopped! My first project was to make 30 bookmarks for my best friend’s classroom. She was teaching via zoom and wanted to add something personal into their welcome packets. I created my business account on Instagram, posted all the pictures of those bookmarks and that’s how we started this beautiful journey! I joined as many drawing challenges on instagram to learn different art styles and connect with other artists. This community is so accepting and amazing. I’ve met so many talented people and have made so many friends.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Running my small business has been a huge learning experience! I think when starting any business there are always risks but taking the leap and just going out on that limb to do something new is worth far more than being afraid of the unknown fear stopping you. Anything worth doing is worth working hard for. The do’s and don’ts are fun to navigate. With time, you find better ways of doing things that benefit your business and make it all easier. I’ve been so fortunate to have so many friends who have also started businesses. Their help and advice makes learning the hard way not as difficult to recover from. My advice if you’re starting your own business: do your research! And just know that there will be bumps along the way but if you love what you do, it’s all worth it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in fine line floral art. I’ve completed a few local murals (more coming soon!). I started selling my art at local Pop Ups about four years ago. I’ll draw on anything and everything (wedding mirrors-seating charts- you name it, I’ve probably done it). I sell custom hand drawn/painted fedoras, bags and change purses that have become more popular as the years go by. Last year I started selling custom magnetic bookmarks made from my iPad doodles and the collection just keeps growing from requests for custom designs from all of my bookish friends! You can even find them out in the wild at some of our local bookstores. This past summer was also a very busy season for designing custom tattoos! Family birth month floral bouquets have been all the craze! I may have to look into unlocking a new skill to add a different element to LBCM.. Stay tuned!

When I think of my artist journey, I can’t help but feel so proud of the progress I’ve made. Not only growing as an artist but the experiences, opportunities and doors that have been opened for me just from my art-it has been quite a ride! I can’t wait to see where else it will take me.

I think what sets me apart from others is my willingness to just try it all. If it works, it’s a bonus! If it doesn’t, you try doing it a different way. I really strive to make my wearable pieces as one of a kind as possible. I absolutely love making custom orders and getting that input from my customer to create that closet staple piece they’re going to love wearing all the time.
As a mom of two daughters, I feel it’s been so important that they see me chasing that dream. I’m always telling them that they can do anything, just like my family has done for me. Switching careers in such a drastic way was scary. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of my amazing Husband and our village. Helping us with our daughters so that I can attend different events to really network and get my name out there. I appreciate the support and push to keep going more than they will ever know.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I feel like I do owe A LOT to my social media accounts. Of course, planning posts and keeping consistent with it is a job in itself! I have been able to meet so many fellow artist friends online who live all over the country. Being able to connect with others and have a constant presence is really important for spreading the word about your business. They say to surround yourself with friends who would mention your name in a room full of opportunities. I don’t know who “they” are but oh boy, they were right! I’ve met so many amazing clients who have stuck by me all these years and trust me to create for them. To create art that they will loudly and proudly display in their homes and offices. I’m just so appreciative that they have so many options and they continue to choose me. I’m so very grateful for all of the opportunities to bring joy with my art.

Pricing:

• Mirror and Mural Pricing guides are available on my LinkTree.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LftBrainCreativeMama
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leftbraincreativemama
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@leftbraincreativemama

Image Credits
Photographer: @ilianagarciaphoto