Susan Greig is an indigenous artist and entrepreneur, who finds the silver lining in difficult circumstances.
I walked out of the therapist’s office stunned that I’d been diagnosed with PTSD. I’d seen a young girl at my workplace, BC Children’s Hospital, that looked like my daughter, who had passed away eight years prior. After three months, it became clear that going back to work in that environment was not going to be possible.
My “bucket list” number 239, “Quit my job to paint and write full time,” stared me in the face. It was a long-off retirement goal, but I asked myself, if I wasn’t afraid to fail, what would I do? Less than a year later the doors opened on my creation, the largest art studio outside of Vancouver proper, 100 Braid St Art Studios & Gallery. With expansion over six years, the business grew to occupy 12,000sq feet with 46 art studios, a thriving arts community for the neighbourhood with many events. After five years of running the business, I realized I’d gotten distracted and “busy” with little to no time to paint. Then COVID hit. Then I got notice that the building we were located in would be torn down within six months.
The realization that almost everything physical that I’d built was going to be gone took a few months to absorb. It was not an easy time, but I always remember the quote, “Not every storm comes to destroy… some come to clear a path”. In the two months after I walked away from the building, I began to see very clearly how things really were working out for the best-the timing, the logistics, everything. I then had a second opportunity to ask, “what would I do if I wasn’t afraid to fail?”
The answer was to continue in business and to be the architect of my own life, a little older and a little bit wiser.
Today I am rebuilding my business but in such a way that I am able to paint every day and do what really feeds my soul.
Life often gives us silver linings in difficult circumstances, but it is up to us to see them, be grateful for the lessons given and move towards the life that is our purpose.
Connect with Susan:
Instagram: @susanlgreigart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanlgreigart
TikTok: @susanlgreigart
Twitter: @susanlgreig
Website: Coming soon
Email: susanlgreig@gmail.com
Business Website: www.100braidststudios.com
