Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Smith.
Erica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Fortunate Fourth Creations & Media started from an opportunity for change while on a journey back to myself. In 2023 I went to an adult easter egg hunt hosted by a then associates nonprofit organization. At the end of the event she was telling someone about all the things the organization was working on. I hadn’t seen any of these things shared anywhere. I asked who was doing the marketing for her organization and her reply was no one. That conversation turned into a temporary position, which eventually led to full time and me being able to leave my regular 9-5. This would open up my time in a way that I had never experienced before and a look into a space that I had never worked in. I was the Director of Marketing and Communications. I handled the marketing for their 7-10 different projects and programs.
During this time I was able to get back to some of the things I’ve always loved, the arts. The two were happening hand in hand. As I grew with the organization and more free time than I had ever had. I started painting again. Initially it was just that, doing something that I loved.
As I was doing the work to get back to me, I found myself having more open honest conversations with the people around me. The more conversations I was having with some of the women who were in my inner circle, I found that so many of them had a hard time accepting compliments of being beautiful. When I asked them why, the reason was pretty much the same across the board, someone in their lives at some point made them feel that way and it stuck. Hearing that, all I wanted to do was hug them and let them know that they were beautiful and deserving of the compliment. With that in mind, I started creating affirmation paintings as reminders. The affirmation that started it all was “I AM Beautiful, I AM Loved, I AM Enough!” I gifted the paintings to those women that I had those conversations with. I continued for a while simply gifting the paintings to women and girls who struggled with confidence in who they are and what they thought of themselves. While working with the nonprofit I had the opportunity to sell some of my paintings at an event as a vendor. People loved the message and the colors. So I started doing vendor events around Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.
While out at some of the vendor events, I started to get more compliments on the paintings but I found myself speaking with more people who doubted they could ever be an artist or a creative. “I love your painting but I can’t draw a straight line”, “I can’t color between the lines” or “I don’t have a creative bone in my body”. I didn’t realize how many people were missing out on the joy of creating. I started asking why they felt that way.
I wanted to break the barrier, because I believe everything is art and anyone can create it. Art is Life and Life is Art, from the clothes we wear to the foods we eat, the videos, posts, and flyers we create for social media, and everything in between. I started putting stencils on canvases and the canvases came with the paint and brushes and I sold them alongside the affirmation paintings. I wanted people to have the ability to create great art with no skills necessary.
I didn’t want to have the same designs people were selling on amazon, a paint by number or something that gave a painting with a twist feel. I sought out stencils that people could connect with, resonate with but different than what other businesses offer. Handmade pre-drawn canvases designed with art therapy in mind so that you have to slow down and intentionally take your time.
Loving the fullness of the feeling from the intention in what I was doing grew more and more and I started to have new ideas and ways to connect with people through art. I knew that God had led me to create something special. And that will never change.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road. Building Fortunate Fourth Creations & Media has been more of a layered journey than a straight path.
One of the biggest challenges has been resources and funding. When you are building a creative wellness business that sits at the intersection of art, mental health, and corporate wellness, it does not always fit neatly into traditional funding boxes. A lot of early growth required reinvesting out of pocket, being strategic with materials, and learning how to stretch both time and money while still protecting the quality of the experience.
Another struggle has been visibility and education. Many organizations understand “team building” or “wellness,” but not always the deeper impact of therapeutic art experiences. A big part of the work has been teaching people that creativity is not just recreational. It is a tool for stress reduction, engagement, and retention. That means constantly refining messaging so decision makers can clearly see the ROI.
There is also the personal side of entrepreneurship. I have had to wear many hats at once, often shifting between creator, facilitator, marketer, and administrator in the same day. That can lead to burnout if boundaries and systems are not intentional, so a lot of growth has come from learning structure and pacing.
Support has come in meaningful but informal ways. Friends have helped when needed, especially around events and logistics. I have also had the opportunity to work with youth at vendor tables, which keeps the work grounded in community, and I have been supported through guidance from my business consultant, which has helped me think more strategically about growth.
Even with those challenges, each one has helped shape the business into something more grounded and intentional. Nothing has been wasted. It has all been part of building something that is not just creative, but sustainable and impactful.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in creative wellness experiences that use art as a tool for stress relief, team building, and emotional reset. Through Fortunate Fourth Creations & Media, I design and facilitate therapeutic art workshops for corporate teams, nonprofits, youth programs, and community spaces. The work blends guided creativity with intentional reflection so people can reconnect with themselves and with each other in a way that feels accessible, even for people who do not consider themselves artists.
What I am known for is making art feel safe, simple, and meaningful. I focus on removing the pressure of “doing it right” and instead create space for expression, conversation, and connection. Whether it is a corporate wellness session or a youth workshop, the goal is the same, helping people slow down, reduce stress, and experience creativity as something healing and grounding.
What sets my work apart is that it is not just an art activity, it is a structured wellness experience rooted in therapeutic art principles and lived community engagement. I also design and use predrawn canvases that lower barriers to participation, which helps people immediately engage without feeling intimidated. That small shift changes the entire room, especially in environments where people are used to high pressure and constant output.
I am most proud of the impact in the room when people realize they can create without judgment. I have seen teams soften, communicate more openly, and leave sessions lighter than when they came in. I am also proud of building something that bridges corporate wellness and community care in a way that still stays grounded in real people, real stories, and real healing, not just a trend or activity.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking has been monumental in my growth, and it continues to be one of the most important parts of building Fortunate Fourth Creations & Media. I intentionally show up in a variety of environments and events, and I make it a point to talk to everyone who is willing to listen so they can understand what I do and why I do it.
A lot of what has worked for me is consistency and visibility. I wear my branding regularly so that even outside of formal spaces, people are able to recognize and remember my work. I also use alternative platforms to talk about what I do, which helps expand my reach beyond in-person events.
I have committed to showing up in every room confident in who I am and what I offer, even when I am still building. That confidence has opened doors and led to genuine interest and support.
For me, networking has not been about waiting for the perfect connection. It has been about being present, being clear, and being willing to share my story in real time. As a result, the responses have been very positive, and it has led to meaningful relationships and opportunities that continue to support the growth of my work.
Pricing:
- Corporate Art & Wellness Workshops Starting at $1,500 per session Tiered pricing available for groups of 10, 25, or 50 participants Custom experiences available based on team size, goals, and location
- Facilitator Services $150 per hour for guided workshop facilitation and creative wellness programming
- Therapeutic Art Life Coaching (1:1) Introductory session: $115 for a 2-hour session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fortunatefourthcreations.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortunatefourthcreations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560172731523
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-smith-67038a362/
