HEY HEY HEY!!!
CAN I CHAT WITH YOU FOR A SEC?
I need to tell you about a special moment from this summer! 🧡
🍊 I Hosted My First In-Person Event! 🍊
In the afternoon hours of July 22, 2026, I hosted my first in-person event.
It was called Whimsy Wednesday, and the goal was to encourage a handful of awesome people to wind down from the day’s stress, enjoy a sweet treat, and embrace their inner creativity.
“But Olive,” you may ask with a raised brow, a lifted hand, a shrug, a tilted head and a slanted mouth, “what’s the ‘Whimsy’ in ‘Whimsy Wednesday’ mean?”
“What do you mean by that?”
It’s all in the coffee. ☕
The morning pick-me-up.
The “don’t-talk-to-me-unless-I’ve-had-it.”
The focus fuel.
Instead of drinking it (which I normally do at 4PM when everyone’s gearing up to wind down), we painted with it. The smell of coffee at 4PM may confuse the average nine-to-fiver (or maybe not!), but for everyone sitting in a bar chair and enjoying ice cream that afternoon, that fresh coffee smell meant that it was time to talk to the tiny canvas.
Some of my fellow artists of the hour said they weren’t really artists and that they didn’t have a single creative bone in their body!
But do you know what was awesome?
The tiny canvas said otherwise.
We took small ATC-sized watercolor cards, some instant coffee, paintbrushes, a few sponges (and later, some fine-liner pens). My fellow creatives grabbed their brushes and got busy, dappling and experimenting as they let loose and shared laughs with one another. So many wonderful ideas bubbled to the surface as they tapped into their inner joy, calm, and wonder: serene horizons, gorgeous closeups of flowers, vibrant jingles and bold namesakes served as proof that there was creative spirit within each and everyone who was there.
The coffee paintings everyone made were fun, intricate, authentic expressions of themselves in that moment. They took a little step outside of their comfort zones, and I couldn’t have been prouder watching them go for it!
As we wrapped up, so many of them exclaimed that it was the pick-me-up they needed to get through the rest of the day, of the week. They had a lot of fun, and it brought me so much joy to see all the smiles and hear them say, “we should do this again!”
Even as I’m writing this almost two months later, I spotted the small coffee paintings displayed in someone’s office here.
It warmed my heart to see them and reminded me that I needed to take the time to write about that event.
I got some feedback from a few of the artists of the hour that I’d like to share:
“Unfortunately, I arrived late for Whimsy Wednesday, but Olive was so kind to stop and walk me through the instructions so I could create my own handmade card. It was such a fun and relaxing experience. I got to chat with other Venture X members while creating my card and enjoying a sundae too! We just need a little sunshine from community members like Olive to bring that creativity out.
I’m already looking forward to her next class as a way to unplug from the hassle of the day.”
(—Keta L.)
Photo credit: Keta L.
“I liked how fun and playful the activity was. Olive was so patient and encouraging.”
(— Tyisha W.)
“It was a great afternoon break time, it was great meeting the other members, ice cream is always correct, and it was fun!”
(— Denise H.)
Photo credit: Julia M.
☕ Be Still, My Biggol’ Heart. TwT /☕
Sitting here with my (8PM) coffee, reading these words brings so much sunlight and excitement into my heart. I’m looking forward to hosting the next event and hope that it will make everyone’s day like it did mine. To the accountants, therapists, lawyers, staffing professionals, admins, recruiters, students, and everyone else who stopped by and lent me a moment of their time and a snapshot of their inner creative: thank you.
I’m looking forward to doing this again. <3
🧡 Special Thanks 🧡
The VentureX Frederick Team
When I first pitched this idea, the VentureX Frederick gals were such sweethearts, very encouraging and even offered to help me with the event. I was so doubtful that the event would have such a wonderful turnout, and even as time wound down, you cheered me on and inspired me to keep going. Thank you so much for not only believing in me, but also helping me bring this idea to life!
Here’s a link to their post on Instagram about the event! ;v; <3
Amber Petty (and the Weirdness Way)
Earlier this year, I joined Amber Petty’s “Weirdness Way,” a class that centered around embracing each entrepreneur’s inner “weirdness” (see: authentic self, individuality). As a creative entrepreneur, I learned how to give that part of me a prominent role in my online presence and add my unique flair to my marketing and offers. There was one point where I was too timid to even considerdoing an event in person, let alone one that exposed my peculiarity among such esteemed professionals. Amber taught me to give it a shot and lean into what makes me a sparkling ray of sun in my own way. The idea for Whimsy Wednesday didn’t occur to me until I spoke with her and my fellow creative entrepreneurs. Thank you so much for lifting up creatives the way you do. <3
Much love, everyone! Until next time. 🧡
orribu! (Olive)