We had the good fortune of connecting with Kate Tipton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Until about 3 and a half years ago, I was the opposite of a risk taker. I did most things “by the book” because that is what was most comfortable to me. After obtaining the things I thought I wanted in a career, I found myself wishing, dreaming, and hungry for more. My creativity was starving. So, I started the work of shifting my mindset to get comfortable being uncomfortable by leaving my comfort zone, ignoring the “what-ifs”, and taking risks.

Risks are opportunities. I feel that many people think of risks as “all or nothing” – like if it doesn’t work out, it was a total loss. But for me, risk is about opening doors. It’s the courage to take the uncomfortable steps to move towards something new, something better, something bigger. While the risk may not always work out how you expected, it can create a shift in your direction that leads you to something far greater than you ever imagined in the first place.

To give you a glimpse of my story, I took a risk when I quit a stable corporate job that I absolutely loved, to chase a dream in a new city. I shed lots of tears and questioned every decision, but it led me to starting my own business that I’ve always dreamed of having. There are many, many stepping stones in between my point A to point B, but without taking that very first risk, I wouldn’t be where I am today – doing what I love full time and feeding my creativity every single day.

Don’t be afraid to take risks! Leaving my comfort zone has changed my mindset for the better in both my personal life and career. Look at every step and/or redirection as a door to a new opportunity!

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I am so proud to call myself a watercolor artist! It is my favorite medium to work with, and it is also considered the hardest to work with due to the quick drying and transparent nature. I fell in love with it about 3 years ago and have never looked back!

My Fine Art watercolor on canvas paintings are the pieces I am most proud of thus far because I truly tapped into my creativity and painted a reflection of what I love – blues, greens, coastal, boats, lowcountry, saltwater – and I also hand made the floating frames they are in!

Consistency is the best way to describe how I got to this point in both my art and my career. It takes a lot of practice of working with an artistic medium to eventually feel comfortable, and even more experience to consider yourself a professional. The most important part of being an artist and a business owner is to not be your own worst critic. While it is important to be real with yourself, you also deserve to give yourself credit where credit is due! There is nothing wrong with recognizing your own potential and acting on it.

The more you create, the better and more creative you get, so I can’t wait to see the pieces I paint in the future!

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.
My absolute favorite city is Charleston, SC! There are endless things to do both in and around CHS, but my favorite things involve coffee, food, and as much scenery as I can get!

In Mount Pleasant, SC:
Brown Fox Coffee
Pitt St Bridge
Shem Creek Park
Red’s Ice House for lunch on the water
Palmetto Islands County Park
Mt Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park (walk the bridge!)
Sullivan’s Island
Poe’s Tavern
Coastal Crust

Downtown Charleston:
Hampton Park
The Battery/White Point Garden
South Carolina Aquarium (especially the sea turtles, my favorite!)
Joe Riley Waterfront Park
Shopping on King St

Johns Island/James Island:
The Tattooed Moose
Magnolia Plantation
James Island County Park
Home Team BBQ

These suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg, but some of my favorite things to do!

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?
A special thank you to my husband for your support in helping me chase my dream and push through the periods of doubt, along with all of the other wonderful, selfless, and encouraging people that have volunteered or lended a helping hand! You are all the reason Purpose Under Palms has become a success in a short period of time and no words will ever express the deep gratefulness I have towards you and everything you’ve done. So thankful to have you in my corner!

Website: www.purposeunderpalms.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/purposeunderpalms

Facebook: www.facebook.com/purposeunderpalms

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.