Des Moines Parent Spotlight: Juelie Gish of Humble Hands
A live watercolor painting on-site at an event?! Say no more! That’s just about the coolest thing ever, and Juelie Gish is hands down the best artist in the Midwest.
Des Moines Parent connected with Juelie to learn more about her and her journey.
Give us a little background on yourself.
I’m originally from Louisiana and found love in Iowa. I moved up here in 2018 after dating my now husband long-distance for a year and a half. I’m a nurse and was finishing an ER travel assignment, and I told him “Ready or not! Here I come!” We moved to Illinois for about 2 years and came back this February. We have a 4-year-old daughter and 2 doodles! Life is so much fun.
Could you give us an overview of your business and what inspired it?
I am an artist, stationer, calligrapher, and engraver. I have been an artist my whole life, and it was a way for me to process things with the Lord. Then, in college, I had sorority sisters and friends asking me for custom art. I immediately had the name Humble Hands pop into my mind, and I knew it was meant to be. I started it as a release, and now it’s a way to bring art to people through connection and intentional community. I became an LLC here in Iowa when we moved back in February, and just recently got my Certified Targeted Small Business designation through the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
What are your favorite parts of your business?
My favorite part of being a small business owner is having the ability to chase passions that then turn into profit-generating revenue streams. I have lots of different skills that bring in revenue from different worlds. I love being able to bring a newlywed couple’s first kiss to life by painting it live at their wedding. That is my absolute favorite moment to capture. Another fave is when I get to teach others about watercolor during one of my classes. Seeing someone go from nervousness to complete confidence at the end of 2 hours is such a joy-booster!
How do you juggle your parenting responsibilities with your business responsibilities?
That is something I don’t think I’ll ever fully grasp, but it’s only possible with my husband, Brandon, by my side. I legitimately wouldn’t be able to do this life without him, and he knows he would be lost without me. He needs me just as much as I need him, and we love it. I really felt aimless before I went back to work part-time as a nurse in a family clinic in October. I needed the structure, and it’s helped us build a teamwork flow that is honestly working well right now. I work 4 days full-time in my business and 3 days part-time in the clinic, and that time away from my business gives me more focus in the time I give to it. I also have started to cherish the mundane moments with my family more. There is so much laughter these days, and I’m convinced it’s because I went back to work part-time.
What are some of your favorite things to do with your family around the metro?
We LOVE finding fun breakfast and brunch spots. Our daughter, Kelly, goes to town on some pancakes, and I think it might be her new goal in life to find the best pancakes in Des Moines. We also love going to different parks when the weather is nice!
What’s your ideal parent day or night out?
I can often be found at a random coffee shop table with my watercolors, my Bible, and my headphones. When I get some alone time, I try to make it a point to create something for myself that’s not business-related or for a profit. Just something for me. If it’s date night, we love finding a new restaurant with a creative drink menu and dessert menu. We also just love to cook, so we will sometimes have friends and neighbors over for a yummy meal. My husband is pretty talented with a smoker and a piece of meat … and it’s gumbo season now, so you’ll likely find me in the kitchen with my gumbo pot soon.
What’s your number one parenting tip?
One thing that I realized only just recently is that we’re all just wingin’ it. Our parents were winging it with us, and no one has it all together. Release yourself from the stigma that you have to have it all together all the time, and you’re already ahead of the parenting curve. Then I try to remind myself to find the fun in the moments where I might want to get frustrated. That saves my sanity, I think.