Meet Jess Stambaugh | Artist & Framer

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

Hi Jess, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I love this question! I’m an artist, and although I have always been somewhat entrepreneurial in that way, I didn’t become an small business owner stemming from a dream like of many of my colleges. It was a snap decision I made with my husband in a parking lot. We had wandered into a local frame shop because I needed some of my artwork framed to send up north to a gallery some friends in MA had opened. We talked to the owner, and although she couldn’t frame my work in the time frame I needed it done, she offered to sell her business to us because she wanted to retire. We walked back to the car, and sat in the parking lot stunned, discussing whether or not we thought we could actually pull it off. Spoiler alert, we did!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an alternative process photographer, and collage artist. I went to photography school in Boston, and graduated with a focus in Black and white, color and zone system. I was the last class to go through the all film program. Film and alternative process photography has always stuck with me. My personal work tends to revolve around themes of identity, the human condition, and dark humor.
How did I get where I am professionally? I ask myself that question everyday. I worked in hospitality for almost 20 years, and have pretty much always had some kind of customer facing job. After I left hospitality, I fell into a career in custom manufacturing making custom rubber stamps. I made custom stamps for over 10 years at two different companies. Working in custom manufacturing for so long definitely prepared me for owning a frame shop, it was an incredibly easy transition. It was a difficult decision to leave my previous job, because I loved it so much, but it has been an adventure worth having.
It has certainly been a challenging process, but I do love a good challenge! Small business ownership, especially in a creative or artistic business, is just incredibly difficult. There are always a million things to balance, a million places to be, and a million things on my to do list, some days it’s overwhelming, but somehow you just figure out how to take it one thing at a time and push through.
My biggest lesson that I think I’ve learned along the way, beginning in hospitality is to take overwhelm and break it into tiny little chunks. I have to remind myself of this daily. It sounds so simple, but when you slip into overwhelm mode and you feel like you are drowning, it seems impossible!
I have also learned to (try) to prioritize self care and mental health. I have a really bad habit of getting so hyper focused on projects and things that I neglect my own basic needs. I really have to build it into my schedule to make sure I’m taking care of myself the way I need to function well. It’s really a difficult balance sometimes.
What I want the world to know about my brand and my story? I am a creator, and my passion is making things. As an artist, I explore the concept of identity through my work, and as a professional picture framer, I take pride in crafting pieces that bring art to life. I also love writing as a way to express myself. I’m deeply connected to my local business community in Midtown, Clayton, NC, and find so much joy in collaborating with others to bring art, events, and positivity to the area. Whether I’m framing, creating, or supporting local initiatives, my heart is in expression, connection, and making a difference through creativity.

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.
Ooooh my favorite spots in the city?! I would definitely have to say Artmosphere arts center in Clayton, they have such a cool little spot out there in the Cleveland area! For food, we’re in love with Salsa Azteca on 70. We love our friends over at Shades of Gray Tattooing, and for drinks we’d definitely hit up the Beered Lady in Garner!
We’d have to get over to the NCMA in Raleigh of course, and get out to the Carrboro area for a bit too! We lived in Carrboro for the first six years that we lived in NC and it has a special place in my heart!

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?
Wow, there are so many people along the way that have made this possible! This small business journey has just been amazing and chock full of supportive people! I have to give a big shout out to the Clayton community for supporting us. We were not only embraced by the small business community out here, but our clients, both new and client’s of the previous of the previous owner have been so incredibly supportive along our venture. We are endlessly grateful for the support we have received here.
Of course, we have to shout out the Clayton Chamber of Commerce and the support and education we received through the Launch JoCo program, this program has been integral in helping us succeed as small business owners. Our teacher Katie Gailes, the organizers, Dana Wooten, Melissa Overton, Suzanne Ross, and our mentor Martha Dockery have been critical to helping our business grow. Big shout out to our class for the endless support and encouragement.
We also couldn’t do this without our amazing networking crew TANG, and our amazing bookkeepers (and mentors) over at Highpoint Bookkeeping. I’m sure there are folks that I am forgetting!

Website: https://www.rightanglesart.com

Instagram: @rightanglesJOCO

Facebook: @rightanglesjoco

Image Credits
Image credit:
Aimee Sue Photography (Aimee Sue Radic)