Rosa (she/her) is a traditional and digital artist who has been drawing for over 15 years. Through her business, Rosa.Sketches, she creates original artwork inspired by pop culture and the natural world including jellyfish, forests, mushrooms, cats, and anything that inspires her creativity. Her work is available as prints, stickers, cards, bookmarks, and pins, and she continues to grow her presence at markets throughout Pictou County.
Rosa is an openly bisexual artist and uses her art as a means of self-expression and connection. Her sibling, Viv, now shares the table at markets and has begun selling their own art as well. Together, they’ve created a welcoming and inclusive space for art lovers of all ages.
Earlier this year, our 2SLGBTQI+ Business Support Program Coordinator, Maddie Kennedy, connected with Rosa at the New Glasgow Farmers Market. In June, Rosa and Viv attended our Pride in Business: A Day of Workshops for 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurs event hosted at IGNITE in New Glasgow, where Rosa learned about supports available through the Partnership.
Rosa then applied to receive assistance to help cover vendor fees for upcoming markets, including her first Pride market. This support came at a critical time. After stepping away from a full-time role in early childhood education due to health reasons, Rosa faced uncertainty about whether she could continue investing in her art business while also navigating part-time work and preparing to return to college.
“For someone like me, trying to balance bills, student loans, and my love for art, the support from the Partnership is life changing,” Rosa shared. “It was a miraculous experience to feel as though I had reached rock bottom, and then Maddie showed up with a glimmer of hope through this program. This support offered me a chance to continue to share what I love with people and to continue to invest in myself.”
The 2SLGBTQI+ Business Support Program helps cover vendor costs so that small business owners can grow their businesses with confidence. For Rosa, this meant being able to attend local markets without the financial strain of overhead fees eating into her profits. “I am given the opportunity to attend markets and not feel stressed about affording it financially,” she said. “I am able to go and share what I love with the local community.”
Stickers are a crowd favourite at Rosa’s table, offering an affordable and accessible way for people to take home a piece of her creativity. She values the opportunity to connect with community members, hear their feedback, and share moments of joy and inspiration, even if no sale is made. “The connection means just as much to me as the sale,” she said. “This work is a passion, and I’m grateful to keep it going.”
The Pictou County Partnership is proud to support Rosa and Viv through this journey, and we remain committed to building an inclusive and diverse business community in Pictou County. By investing in 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs and removing financial barriers, we are helping to ensure that diverse entrepreneurs have opportunities to succeed in our region.
The 2SLGBTQI+ Business Support Program is made possible by Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce’s Ecosystem Fund, which is funded by the Government of Canada.
To learn more about our 2SLGBTQI+ Business Support Program, visit https://pictoucountypartnership.com/program/2slgbtqi-entrepreneur-support/.
