Meet Stephanie Maier | Owner of Wanderlust Commission

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

Hi Stephanie, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
Well, before working for myself I had actually stopped painting for almost 10 years. I lost my color vision in a rodeo accident and it destroyed my confidence in my personal abilities. So the single most important decision I have made was literally to let go of trying to control of the situation. To not loose my self in hyper focusing on the details.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
So I am a color blind painter with synesthesia with sound. I use the sounds to form my color pallets inspiration. I use alot of experiences with my own ptsd and traumas, to inspire work. I got to where I am today as a single mom who quit her job with $300 in her pocket to paint full time by refusing to give up. I invest every spare minute im not with my kiddos into my business, whether I’m designing, selling, following up with clients, packing, looking for ways to cut cost and increase profits, and accounting. I have overcome challenges by knowing I absolutely don’t have a choice to fail, I have so many humans looking up to me or depending on my financially there is little to no room for failure.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Probably go museum hopping, Chicago has amazing museums and aquariums. To eat we would check out some dim sum in China town, some Harold’s chicken, Pizza and you can’t come to Chicago without a Chicago hot dog. Ride the blue line because the people watching is fire. Enjoy some genuine house music at Le Nocturne. Also roaming around millennial Park is always a great time.

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?
Mattew Harrison and his FB group EDM CHICAGO. In October 2020 I had recently found out that a career position I had taken (automotive service world) was not honest about their pay plan at the time of interview. I was sitting in my living room feeling sorry for myself for not being able to pay my rent. I posted a simple post in this group about painting to music, and sold 3 paintings that night. Not only did I pay my bills I quit my job, without the support of my paintings that day I dont know if I would have pushed it farther than a hobby, or side gig.

Website: Wanderlustcommission.com

Instagram: Wanderlust_commission

Facebook: Facebook.com/Wanderlustcommission