Today we’d like to introduce you to Kit Rae Miller.
Kit Rae, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story is very long and complicated but in brief :
My family have survived a lot but remains strong. My mother has survived 9 cancers and is still alive and well today, enjoying her retirement.
I put myself through college by working 3 jobs alongside scholarships. After graduating in 2021, I struggled to find a job. After getting into multiple nursing schools I realized I didn’t have the heart for that industry and decided not to go. Feeling lost, I pursued a masters degree in business administration. Completing this degree in 2023.
Throughout this time I happily worked alongside my amazing coworkers and boss at Painting With a Twist in College Station, TX. Mrs. Kimberly Augsburger is an entrepreneur that first taught me it’s okay to go against the grain and pursue your own path.
Teaching art classes brought me a lot of joy and I have always loved being creative and expressing myself through painting. Oil and acrylic painting have always provided me much freedom from the mundaneness of day to day life.
Today, I am a Tattoo Artist at Olive and Co. in Boyd, TX. I am learning the art of tattooing and how to run a business from Nicole Wilson. A wonderful and very talented woman that loves uplifting every human she meets in her Boyd Community.
Furthermore, I run a small business, Kit Rae Co. in which I sell a variety of products and services. I host kids crafts every Monday at CJ’S Play Corner, starting at 10 am. This is a space where kids (ages 0-7) can express themselves in new ways, practice fine motor skills, and explore new crafts and sensory bins. Every week, the kids work to take home an individual artwork and create a group artwork that decorates CJ’S Play Corner. The owner of CJ’S is amazing, Mrs. Cloud, whom has had my back, taught me how to manage my time and develop employees, and has lifted me and the community up in very large ways!
Today, I do what I love. Every day I get to create with meaning. Whether that be for a kid to be proud of themselves for the first time, or a tattoo that empowers someone in a special way that only tattoos have the power to do. My creativity leaves an impact on my world and those I touch every day. But I couldn’t do it without the people and the family that have supported me and gotten me this far.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has had many struggles.
My mother has survived cancer 9 times and my father was incarcerated at a young age. However today my family stands together strong and whole. My older brother just had his first baby girl Callyn!
College itself is a struggle between finding the money to pay for college and the classes thsemselves. It’s not built for mental health and teachers told me I should drop out. Pushing through this, I now have a masters degree.
It’s hard not to feel like my degree was wasted time; however I did not have the strength to pursue my own path at that time and needed the support of the amazing people I’ve encountered to help me get where I am today.
My first tattoo apprenticeship encountered strange struggles that resulted in me leaving that tattoo shop. If I had not left, I would not be where I am at in my tattoo career today. Olive & Co. is truly one of the best places to work and I can’t imagine myself ever leaving.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Kit Rae Co. / Olive & Co Boyd. ?
Kit Rae Co. :
I teach kids crafts to ages 0-7 at CJs play corner. Every Monday kids practice fine motor skills, creativity, how to use paint and glue, etc. they experience group and individual projects that they take home, while the group project stays and decorates CJ’S Play Corner.
I also offer craft birthday parties themed to match your party!
Olive & Co. Boyd. :
I am a tattoo artist shadowing under Nicole Wilson. I love making artwork that’s meaningful to people. Working with people to create artwork that matters is a dream come true.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I see my craftivities at CJs play corner growing slowly and remaining consistent over time.
I see my growth as a tattoo artist for Olive and Co. growing exponentially. The aura of Olive & Co. allures new demographics that refuse to walk into a standard tattoo shop. Together, we’re changing the way the tattoo industry is perceived.
Pricing:
- $5 for kids crafts per kid, free for CJ’S members
- $50 flash tattoos
- Murals starting at $500
- $100 pet portraits
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.vagaro.com/oliveandcoboyd.com
- Instagram: Inkbykitrae
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14PShsYHt9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://Www.kitraeco.com
