Meet Thea Bloch-Neal | Business owner, art & design

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thea Bloch-Neal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thea, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking is so hard, but I think to be a successful entrepreneur you have to feel comfortable stepping into that. Risk is where you often find success and it when you can be your most creative. I think of business risk in two parts: low risk and high risk. Low risk maybe be something like going out to a networking event by yourself. High risk is making a strategy or design pivot that feels risky. Learn when to try both of these and as you do it more, you’ll learn how to trust your gut or feel more comfortable adjusting as you try new things.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art has evolved and changed so much over time, and I assume it will continue that way! So, my core aspects are : texture, fluid lines, and a touch of vintage.

I love to experiment with new techniques, so I am always trying things myself – I find that getting my hands dirty really helps me understand the art I’m making. Expamples include: learning how to use flowers to dye silks and then creating custom headpieces for brides to wear. I also recently learned how to woodwork and I made a built in kitchen nook for a clients house. Both of these were extremely vexing, but the satisfaction and joy at the end made it worth it. I love learning!

A would credit a lot of my success to simply saying YES, trying something that seemed hard or out of my comfort zone. I’ve always surprised myself, grown from it, and made something beautiful.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I grew up in Durham, so taking people to hidden gems as well as new successful businesses is something I really love.

Entertainment: A walk and picnice at Duke Gardens, if my friend has kids we would certainly go to the Museum of Life & Science, the Nasher Museum is a favorite and I always stop at the Scrap Exchange.

Dining: CocoCinammon is a local favorite, LocoPops for ice cream, dinner at Littler, lunch a M Sushi, and Ramen at Noodle 501. Breakfast at either Gugelhupf or Bagels at Isaacs! For an evening cocktail or wine I always love Killer Queen.

Shopping: There are a lot of thrift stores in Durham! The NewNearlyNew shop is always a great one to stop at, Gibson Girl vintage, Pennies for Change, The Borough for beautiful home goods, I love all the shops at Brightleaf square and Vert & Vogue downtown is magical.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My 4th & 5th grade art teacher who saw big dreams for me before even I could.

Website: www.hushedcommotion.com & www.curatedbythea.com

Image Credits
Jennifer Cole Rodriquez & Michelle Scott