We had the good fortune of connecting with Becky Pollard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Becky, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and can remember brainstorming business ideas even at a young age. I knew I wanted to start my own business, but I wasn’t sure what that would look like. Growing up, I was continually drawing, painting, taking photographs, and exploring other visual arts, but never felt I could make a career out of it. I spent my twenties working several different jobs to get a sense of what I liked and invariably felt pulled back to the arts. I had always thought of art as a leisurely pursuit, but I felt most at home when I was honing my craft. I finally realized I should stop fighting it and began to devote myself to it full time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a multidisciplinary maker and stylist, so a bit of jack of all trades, but I primarily focus on fiber wall hangings and fine art paintings. It is unique that I focus on both 3-D and 2-D art while most artists specialize in just one. I find both bring me joy in different ways, so it’s hard for me to choose just one. After nearly ten years in the Interior Design field, I felt I wasn’t being completely fulfilled. It wasn’t an easy decision to walk away from a full time job with benefits, especially in a year like 2020, but I eventually decided creating my art full time was the right choice for me. While I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being out on my own, it’s not without it’s challenges. Figuring out finances, sales tax, navigating budgeting and sales projections is a tough for a creative like me! I’ve learned that to succeed, you must be humble and accept you do not know everything, and be willing to put in the time. Success does not happen overnight! I’m looking forward to sharing all I have in store for this year and the years to come.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honey Hill for breakfast and coffee Hudson Hill for cocktails and amazing small bites Dinner at Q House Dinner and drinks at White Pie Aperol Spritz followed by dinner at Il Posto Shopping in Modern Nomad Vintage hunting at Meek Vintage Treasure hunting at the Goodwill Broadway Popsters and coffee at Sugar Bakeshop Lunch at Tessa’s Delicatessen Sushi and drinks at Izakaya Den Walking around the shops in Stanley Market followed by dinner in a private greenhouse at Annette Margaritas and tacos at Tacos Tequila Whiskey Happy hour at Carboy Winery Santa Fe art walk on First Friday Hiking in Golden Visit to Red Rocks, bonus points for catching a show Walk around City Park Spending an afternoon getting lost in the Tattered Cover Catching a movie at the Mayan Theater Bowling with beers and BBQ at Moe’s

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Emily Jeffords is a fine art painter from my home town. I’ve always admired her work and have completed her course on how to create a successful art career for yourself. I owe a lot of my knowledge to her and want to thank her for showing me the way. I also would be no where without my fiancé, Bryan, and my parents and their unwavering support and belief in me.

Website: https://shopsevensixteen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_seven_sixteen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopsevensixteen

Image Credits
Brit Tucker-Kline

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.