ALUMNI ACCOLADES
Jittaun Priest
Artist & Entrepreneur Extraordinaire
Jittaun Priest is a decorative artist and owner of Brushworks Design. She has been beautifying homes and businesses in the Chicago area for the past 20 years. Jittaun does work throughout the US as well, and her work can be seen in Florida, Houston, Atlanta and Detroit. Brushworks Design’s style is modern, clean and timeless. Jittaun loves the use of texture and metallic paints and her incredible talent can be seen on murals, decorative finishes, faux finishes and furniture painting.
Jittaun always knew that when she grew up she was going to be an artist. She went to school for architecture, then switched over to graphic design. When she graduated from college, she continued to work as a graphic designer, but was bored being on the computer all the time. She wanted to do something different. Her love for interior design and art led her into the world of decorative painting. She was laid off from her corporate job after 9/11 – it was that situation that led her into entrepreneurship. She was running her own business for quite a few years but realized that she needed “structure” and that is when she came across Sunshine Enterprises back in 2014. “I needed to separate my business from my personal life. A business needs to have its own EIN, checking account and from there you can establish credit under your business,” Jittaun explains. Those were topics she found most valuable when taking Sunshine’s Community Business Academy (CBA).
After her CBA graduation, Jittaun received micro grants through Sunshine. She utilized Sunshine’s coaching program and help desk. “What I love about Sunshine is the Alumni program. They don't just get you started and leave you high and dry. They really want to help you succeed. I didn't utilize them as much as I should have, but there is a wealth of information and it's great to have true support and know that you don't have to do this alone. For me this encourages me to not only do well, but to give back and one day teach new entrepreneurs that come into the program what I know,” Jittaun says.
Jittaun’s business is founded upon honesty, integrity and an ability to make impacts beyond art. She believes that the ability to transform spaces and deliver on a client’s vision is the driving engine behind each and every creation. An example of this creative partnership with clients is her collaboration with Sip & Savor and their newest location’s grand opening in the Edgewater neighborhood. Jittaun’s creative perspective can be felt throughout the coffee house. She did all the faux finishes and hand-painted the word art on the walls, created one-of-a-kind 3D coffee bean wall art and she is the designer behind the company’s original logo and brand.
Jittaun does have goals for the future. She would like to purchase real estate soon and open a studio so she could have a physical location to create artwork and paint furniture. She would like a space to teach others about what she has learned in her journey. Jittaun has advice for rising entrepreneurs, too. “I would tell my fellow entrepreneurs… if you go through the program at Sunshine… the best part of the program is the Alumni program. Don't be afraid to reach out and talk to them. That's what they're here for. It's rare that you get support like this, and they have more information for you than you may think. Use this opportunity while they have it. Also, we all have our ups and downs but don't be hard on yourself. Entrepreneurship is a marathon not a sprint. While some things may come quick, it's the long journey that has the best payoff. It takes time to be an overnight success.”
For more information about Jittaun Priest and her business, visit www.brushworksdesign.com.