Conversations with Whitney Bentley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Bentley.

Hi Whitney, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been an artist all my life. From weekly art lessons with my grandpa at age six to extracurricular art activities throughout school. My art journey has felt organic and a natural extension of how I express my thoughts and relieve stress. In 2019, I launched my brand Pamoja Keepsakes where I work as a full time artist.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I launched Pamoja Keepsakes officially in summer 2019, after leaving a longtime “steady” sales job. Experiencing the pandemic less than a year into launching was the first major rough patch for me. The challenges of limited networking opportunities and in-person transactions definitely removed the wind from the sails of my initial plans. The solution became working with a business partner to deliver digital tools for nonprofits rather than handmade items and, in the end, beautiful opportunities came from that. It worked well for many years, but as nonprofits rapidly lose funding I find myself pivoting again, interestingly enough, back to where I began… selling my handmade work and teaching. The trait of a strong business leader is to know how to stay fluid as things beyond your control impact your plans. Sometimes those pivots take you places your first ideas never could.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As I move into a fresh chapter for Pamoja keepsakes, I am inviting people along on the journey to do things that I enjoy (and will be doing anyway). What that looks like is getting creative outdoors through plein air painting experiences, in-person workshops for embroidery, and teaching pattern making skills that anyone can monetize.

As much as digital art has kept me afloat for years, I am enjoying leaning more into artwork that incorporates practical skills like hand sewing, mark making, and painting. I’ve avoided the traditional “sip and paint” workshops for many years because I have always felt like the end product of those experiences were not things people really held onto as valued keepsakes.

What I am launching into now are gatherings that incorporate my artwork where participants can embroider, gather for plien air painting workshops in nature, and learn pattern making techniques. These are all meant to empower participants and allow folks to make art, while still maintaining the most amount of creative freedom. Ultimately, my workshops deliver work unique enough to keep and share and practical skills that extend beyond a single experience.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I think knowing who you are and who you want to reach is important before you ever step into a room to find a network and mentor. Everything isn’t for everybody. Don’t force yourself into spaces that feel out of alignment with where you would like to be. That’s not to say that networking at times isn’t uncomfortable, but it needs to feel organic to you and who you want to serve in the end. There are trendy or longstanding groups for business, but not all will align with your brand. Maybe successful business networking can happen right where you are in a less traditional sense. Joining a workshop like a public speaking group may bond you with folks in the room better than a 7am stuffy breakfast meeting that feels more corporate and formal. Who you meet naturally will give you the best options for a mentorship where both parties will feel fully invested in each other’s goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pamojakeepsakes.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/@pamojakeepsakes
• Facebook: @pamojakeepsakes
• Other: https://stampfans.com/livingpamoja