Check Out Brenna Rudary’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenna Rudary.

Hi Brenna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always loved anything related to art since I was a little girl. I’ve been creative-minded ever since I can remember. I studied commercial photography in college and maintained art and crafts as a hobby that always kept me busy. After my now-husband and I became engaged in 2016, I began prepping all of the details and designs for our big day. I knew I wanted to do all of the design work myself, including our wedding stationery. I had some familiarity with calligraphy but I took a local class to learn more. From there, I taught myself and spent hours after work and on the weekends practicing.

After my wedding, I wasn’t ready to give up the new skill I had learned and I wanted to pursue it even further. Friends and family had been hiring me for their various calligraphy needs, but I also really missed wedding planning. So I launched my business, Brenna Claire Calligraphy, in November of 2019. Since then, I’ve worked with countless couples and wedding planners to offer wedding calligraphy services, which include envelope calligraphy, seating charts, welcome signs, etc. In the past couple of years, I’ve expanded my calligraphy services to offer on-site, luxury calligraphy. With this service, I work with luxury brands (think Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., etc.) to provide calligraphy services on-site for special events. While it’s much different than working on a wedding order, one common theme remains: I’m creating beautiful, elegant calligraphy items that make the recipient feel like they are one in a million.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course not! I am always learning. Our mistakes are the best teachers. It’s always hard when you are going through a learning experience, but I always remind myself I am better for it.

Some of the struggles that I experienced early on was that I was constantly bending over backward to make myself more available and accommodating for clients. This included things like offering to drop off and pick up my rentals (like floor length mirrors), or accepting a last minute rush order without charging a rush fee. These situations always left me feeling drained and stressed as I had to balance my personal life, a 9-5 job, and a growing family. I learned that I needed to set boundaries in my business.

This is not so much an obstacle, but a challenge–and a welcomed one. I have a 2-year-old and work full time for my corporate job. It’s hard to balance motherhood and the responsibilities of my day job, but I’ve learned to set schedules for myself in the evenings or the weekends to accomplish what I need to do. That includes time away from work so I can be with my family. Some things need more time than others, but I take it a day at a time.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a luxury and event calligrapher, and I specialize in event calligraphy and on-site calligraphy services. My clientele can be divided up into two different groups: 1) engaged couples and/or wedding planners and 2) luxury or corporate brands

When I work with engaged couples or wedding planners, I’m providing calligraphy services for their wedding stationery or any day-of signage such as a seating chart. Typically with a client, they work with me to create multiple items for their big day. This way, they have a cohesive look and design to their signage and stationery for their Wedding.

For my luxury and corporate brand clients, I’m working with them to provide calligraphy as a way to surprise-and-delight their customers. Most of these clients already have an established, loyal client base. By providing on-site calligraphy personalizations or customizations to the brand’s product(s), the brand is further investing in their clients and showing their appreciation for them. It’s an added touch that creates an invaluable experience for them so that they keep coming back.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I don’t have an established mentor in my calligraphy business, but I have made wonderful connections with calligraphers in the industry from around the world via social media. I’m so grateful for these relationships because we are able to offer each other advice and insight, as well as simply relate to one another. I highly recommend growing your network of similar professionals and artists on social media! And don’t just hit that follow button and forget it… reach out by sending them a message and keeping up with their content. Community over competition!

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@brennaclairecalligraphy.com
• Website: www.brennaclairecalligraphy.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/brennaclairecalligraphy