ADVERTISEMENT

    At Work: Hart & Honey’s space filled with natural beauty

    AtWork_Dec_2013_HH2

    ADVERTISEMENT

    People often meet through mutual friends, and the outcome is often a new friend, a spouse, or a business partner. For Ashley Wilcox and Lily Glass, their meeting led to friendship and a collaborative business idea.

    “After several mutual friends told each of us “You have to meet each other” Ashley and I finally got coffee,” says Glass. “We talked about our professional goals and an hour later we found ourselves wondering what would happen if we combined our individual pursuits -mine of photography (Lily Glass Photography) and hers of food and design (Ginger & Birch).”

    Ashley Wilcox, left and Lily Glass, right of Hart & Honey.
    Ashley Wilcox, left and Lily Glass, right of Hart & Honey.

    The two scheduled a full day of cooking, shooting photos, and eating and they were hooked.

    “We found that we worked really well together and were reminded of how wonderful it is to have a creative partner,” continues Glass. “We collaborated whenever possible.”

    A year later, the two moved their businesses into a studio space in Grandview and Hart & Honey was born.

    “It has provided countless fun opportunities,” says Glass. Most recently, a pop-up retail shop, where they hosted five other artists.

    Previously they each had had small corners within their homes to work on their businesses.

    “But as any freelancer knows, we found it nearly impossible to “turn-off” and truly relax when not working,” Glass says. “Our studio space provides the luxury of working our own hours but also the option to leave work at work.”

    They each do not have to travel far to get to their studio. With a location within walking distance for both of them, three separate work spaces, large storefront windows, and wood floors, the studio space was a perfect choice.

    “We painted it white and convinced my husband to hand make our tables,” says Wilcox. “Other than that it was a great open space for us.”

    The 4x8 foot conference table seats up to 14 people. Wilcox's husband fashioned it out of semi-truck floor panels.
    The table that Wilcox’s husband fashioned out of semi-truck floor panels.

    “We divided the studio into three rooms which we’ve designated as meeting space, work space, and storage space,” says Glass. “The large storefront windows, made the front area perfect for throwing events or styling photo shoots.”

    Keeping up with their own businesses, as well as the requests they receive for collaborative jobs, has been a bit of a challenge, but it is a welcomed one.

    “It has been a wonderful opportunity to stretch us creatively and force us to get better at time management,” says Wilcox. “It’s been fun to see how two voices are stronger than one. We seek to maintain a vulnerability and honesty in our work and in our media content. We’ve received some great feedback from creative folks in similar circumstances.”

    Making those connections on a personal level is something Glass wishes she had done from the beginning.

    “Find a community!” she says. “Seek out folks that are successfully doing what you want to do and take them to coffee. Then find other folks that are at the same stage you are and hold each other accountable. And hang in there.”

    That piece of advice has been taken to heart, and the two have began hosting their own meetup for other creative people.

    “Once a month we host a “Creative Community” meetup at the studio with 14 other designers/photographers/artists and listen to each others ideas, offer feedback and high-fives, and discuss everything from social media to accounting to maintaining motivation,” says Glass. “It’s been fantastic.”

    Art throughout the space is most often of their own design.
    Art throughout the space is most often of their own design.

    A canvas teepee provides a place for young visitors to play.
    A canvas teepee provides a place for young visitors to play.

    The aesthetic can be sensed through all aspects.
    The aesthetic can be sensed through all aspects.

    Large glass windows provide lots of natural light, perfect for photoshoots.
    Large glass windows provide lots of natural light, perfect for photo shoots.

    Photos by Lily Glass.

    To learn more about Hart & Honey, visit HartandHoney.com.

    Do you know of, have, or work in, a creative workspace and would like to be featured in this series? If so, please contact Anne Evans.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Subscribe

    More to Explore:

    Roaster Royal Flamingo Opening First Location Inside New Bar

    Award-winning local roaster Royal Flamingo Coffee is spreading its...

    Watershed Distillery Wants You! (To Choose)

    Noah Biddle is the type of person you just…want...

    6 Recent Bar & Restaurant Closures Across Columbus

    Sono Wood Fired Closes at EastonAfter two and a...

    Designing Impact: Astra Studios’ Social Vision

    Astra Studios is a trailblazing social enterprise revolutionizing the...
    Anne Evans
    Anne Evanshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-evans/
    Anne Evans is the Co-Founder and Director of Operations for The Metropreneur and Columbus Underground. She regularly contributes feature stories on both sites, as well as Mega Weekend each week. She has started and grown businesses, created experiences, forged community partnerships, and worked to create opportunities for others. She loves meeting new neighbors and those making an impact in our community. Want to connect?
    ADVERTISEMENT