Partners in Hope: Blooming Chalk

The Hope Shop’s Mid City location has NEW signs thanks to our Partner in Hope - Blooming Chalk!

We’ve been renovating our new location since early spring, and our new signage really completed everything. We’re now open at 1857 Government Street, Baton Rouge.

We had the opportunity to work with Jennifer last Christmas when we did a pop-up shop at Perkins Rowe. She completely wowed us with the window art.

If that wasn't enough, she recently surpassed all of our expectations again when she helped to design the outdoor signs for our new retail space.

Today, we’re chatting with Jennifer Hester of Blooming Chalk to learn more about her and her local business.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH BLOOMING CHALK?

My interest grew in hand-lettering and sign art after going to a CROP conference here in Baton Rouge and a year or so after that conference I landed my dream job as a sign artist at Trader Joe’s. I opened Blooming Chalk shortly after working at Trader Joe’s which was about two years ago. 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR DIFFERENT ART SERVICES.

 I offer custom sign art for weddings and events such as a welcome sign or a “Drinks” sign which can either be purchased or rented. I also offer sign art services for businesses, such as a menu board or a sign for the actual business. One of my favorite things to do is window art to highlight specials for businesses. I love being outside and drawing on windows. It’s actually very therapeutic.

WHAT ARE A FEW OF YOUR FAVORITE PROJECTS?

Like I said, I love window art because it’s a therapeutic experience for me and it’s a great way to help a business out by drawing attention to people driving by. I also love working on projects that allow me the opportunity to serve the community such as projects like the Reflect Love storefront project. I’ve gotten the chance to collaborate with @elloartist, who started this project, and it’s been extremely fulfilling. 

ON SOCIAL MEDIA, YOU TALK ABOUT THE OBSTACLES YOU’VE BEEN ABLE TO OVERCOME AND HOW YOU’VE TRANSFORMED YOUR LIFE THROUGH YOUR FAITH. HOW HAVE YOU INCORPORATED THAT INTO YOUR BUSINESS?

I have been through a lot in life and have made many mistakes. At one point, I thought I wouldn’t be able to recover from those mistakes, but after finding God it really turned my life around. It gave me a deep compassion for others and it taught me how to love myself and others because I wasn’t good at that before. Now that I’ve learned and experienced how love and compassion towards myself and others can really make a positive difference, it encourages me to keep going and it brings a lot more life to my work. 

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A PARTNER IN HOPE WITH HANDS PRODUCING HOPE?

I have had the opportunity to do some fun projects for The Hope Shop. Last year, before I had my son Aren, I got to do some window art in Perkins Rowe, for The Hope Shop pop up. I was also recently able to make some signage for the new storefront.

I was inspired to partner with them because I love what they stand for. I love that their proceeds help families rise above poverty around the world. Rebecca, has the biggest heart and I have enjoyed working with her.

After I had my son, she stopped by and dropped off a big bag of goodies to help out and I was Really touched by that. After becoming a mom, I am inspired by the Maternal Education Program through Hands Producing Hope. I know proceeds go towards this program and I think it’s amazing that this brings medical and educational needs to women in Rwanda who don’t have access to that. This is something we take for granted here.  

WHAT’S THE FUTURE FOR BLOOMING CHALK?

I hope to grow my business in the future and I would love to do some lettering murals or more large format signage. I would also love to participate in serving and making positive waves in the community. 

We can’t express enough all of our gratitude for the amazing work that Jennifer has done for The Hope Shop and Hands Producing Hope! To see more of her work, you can follow her on Instagram @bloomingchalk.