About Megan – the artist
I am the adventure girl glass artist who created all that you see here. Balancing being talented artist, with talented mom and talented ski bum isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am.
A passion for skiing actually led me away from art and then back to it. After studying Sports Management in college, I spent almost 10 years at the Olympic Committee. Meanwhile, I was skiing my tail off, every moment I could, in the Colorado Rockies. My art talents’ only outlet was making the most colorful gym schedules the Olympic Training Center had ever seen. I had my dream job at the OTC, but the artist inside of me wanted more.
My art awakening happened when I earned the privilege of joining the US delegation in Torino, Italy for The ‘06 Games. My great Italian adventure changed the whole game. After the Olympics, my husband, Alan, and I explored and adventured through the art and culture of Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre, Siena, Perugia, Assisi, and Pisa. Not only did I fall in love with the amazing artistry of Italian glass, but also the culture full of art, history, creativity, freedom and lest we forget, great food and wine.
How could I carry that freedom and creativity back home to the Wild Wild West? On the flight home, I was all geared up to start following my dream and become a full time artist, and then I had pause. I asked my husband “you can’t make a living as a full time artist, can you”? Alan lent me the support that I needed to corral all of my courage and give it a “try”. It didn’t take long to discover that “try” meant working harder than I ever had before.
Like so many people who dream of being their own boss, the first days are the hardest days. I had always been a “follow the rules” kind of girl, so this idea of stepping off on my own felt like jumping out of an airplane.
How did I start? One class at a time, one project at a time, one sale at a time, one happy, excited customer at a time. You surround yourself with the people that build you up. Push yourself, be motivated, be the boss, make decisions, set your goals, enjoy every small success. They all add up and they all matter.
And don’t think I didn’t make mistakes. Like anyone trying something new and foreign, I made tons. Several times, I had to make the same mistake a few times before the actual lesson stuck. But, I was moving on, gaining momentum, and for my glass company, the wheels of the airplane were just starting to leave the ground.
Fast forward to today – over a decade later, the plane is flying! As the CEO of Miss Olivia’s line, most of my time is spent creating the art and traveling all over the US to display Miss Olivia’s line at nationally recognized art shows. Creating the art and interacting with customers face to face is still my favorite part of my job. My sister, Danielle works for me full time. She manages our online sales, customer service, wholesale accounts, and sells at select Colorado street markets and fairs. Danielle loves her gig. Some people couldn’t imagine working with a sibling. As far as sisters turned business partners go, nothing feels more natural.
Like a rockstar thanking their crowd after the show, “I couldn’t be here without all of you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I am truly grateful for the love and support everyone has shown both me and Miss Olivia’s Line.