We’re looking forward to introducing you to Molly Box McCarty. Check out our conversation below.
Molly, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
My day is the true definition of work/life balance! Or having it all. Or living just on the edge of chaos, I’m not sure which! My husband leaves very early for his job, so I rouse, feed, and dress the kids every morning. I try to get in a workout before or after dropping our oldest daughter off at school. Then, I bring our toddler to my office/studio, where she keeps busy playing toys or drawing while I try to answer emails and get some artwork done. She and I come home for lunch, and then I put her down for a nap. While she snoozes, I work in my home office on my many graphic/web design projects. This is also my time for online meetings or returning phone calls. When she wakes up, we pick up big sis from school and run errands or commute to activities. When we return home, my husband watches the kids while I make dinner (I LOVE to cook!). It is important to us to all have dinner together and catch up every day. We then do chores, play outside, and help with homework until the kids go to bed. My husband and I get a little time to relax before we get up and start all over agin the next day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My brand is two-fold! I own Prairie Sage Creative and am also a contemporary wildlife artist.
About Prairie Sage Creative, my design and marketing business:
Prairie Sage Creative, LLC is an experienced, reliable company that provides graphic and website design, creative marketing, social media management, and more. Specializing in nonprofits and small-medium size businesses, PSC can help you with all aspects of marketing and design. Whether it is a full re-branding or a la carte designs, PSC provides a free initial consultation to help you determine what you need. Branding, logo design, a website, printed materials, website graphics, marketing plan, photography services, social media management, design assistance, illustration, we do it all! Specializing in nonprofits and small business. Does your small business or nonprofit need high level, affordable graphic design and marketing? Do you want to book services as needed without a subscription? Then Prairie Sage Creative is your answer!
About Molly Box Artwork:
“Molly Box (McCarty) is an award-winning fine artist.
Her passion for wildlife, fly-fishing, and the great outdoors can easily be seen through her work. Molly is best-known for her signature mixed media drawings and oil paintings of North American wildlife and fish/fly-fishing themed work.
“I believe very strongly in observing your environment and creating art based on your surroundings and experiences. I grew up in Wyoming and reside in Colorado, so I naturally have a love for the West and interest in the wildlife. I’m an avid angler and outdoorswoman. I also believe that the American West is young, new, vibrant, colorful, and ever-changing.”
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
That’s an easy one… my relationship with my husband Nat. He is my rock, my soulmate, and the love of my life.
When I was younger, I was in an abusive relationship that almost destroyed me. I lost connections with friends and family, my career was off-track, and, most damagingly, I lost my self esteem and identity. I was fearful of trusting myself to do just about anything.
Nat changed all that. He lifted me up and made me realize that I could do great things if I just believed that I could. He gave me stability so that I could take risks. He was my cheerleader and helped give me a fresh start. I tell him all the time that I don’t know what I would do without him, and even though he says that I would be fine, I’m not sure that is the case.
He didn’t change me, he helped me see who I was again.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell her that it will all be ok.
I would say, “Someday, you will have everything you ever hoped for. You will love where you live, you will love your job, you will be happy in your marriage, you will have great kids, and love being a mom. You will be CONTENT. Just hang in there!”
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Being reliable and committed.
I feel like as society leans harder on social media and AI and tech, more and more people feel like there is nothing wrong with ghosting, canceling, or not showing up.
If by nothing than living by example, I believe that people need to be reliable. If you commit to something, be there. If someone needs you, be there. Even if it’s hard or you don’t want to that day, don’t flake out.
I believe it that personally and professionally.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Yes, I feel like I am there now!
I hate being bored. Like hate, hate, hate it. Every job I ever had had long stretches of doing nothing or filling time until the clock struck 5pm. I also am very self-motivated and like telling myself what I need to work on. So now, having my own multi-faceted business, allows me to jump from project to project to keep those gears grinding at all hours.
When they say, “love what you do and you will never work a day in your life,” I can personally attest to that being true.
I do public art projects, paint on weekends, work around my kids’ schedule, etc. It truly is living the dream.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.prairiesagecreative.com; https://mollyboxart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollyboxart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prairiesagecreative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrairieSageCreative
- Other: https://www.patreon.com/c/PrairieSageCreativeStudio
