Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Bringhurst.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been a creative person and attracted to all things arts since a young age. I thank my mother for fostering such an appreciation for the arts in me. She would take me to see broadway plays, enroll me in dance, take me to after school painting classes, come to every night of whatever musical I was in, etc. She always followed my lead as well, not pressuring me to succeed or do anything I didn’t want to do. Rather, she made sure I wasn’t doing too many extracurriculars at once (although I wanted to try everything) so that I still had time for family, school, church, and friends.
In college, I started using different mediums to create textured abstract artwork. This hobby quickly left me with many large paintings that I had no room for in my shared student apartment. I had a friend from dance, Lex Torres (Have a Nice Day Studios,) that had the same issue with her ceramic pottery – and had started selling at farmer’s markets. Before I started selling at farmer’s markets I knew I needed a brand and structure to prop me up. My dad and many people in my family are extremely entrepreneurial and inventive. This inspired me to create my own LLC to operate from. Using some skills I learned from a social media management job at my university, I created my branding and logo digitally, started an Instagram page, and created a website. I finally started renting booths and selling my artwork at local farmer’s markets in Utah Valley – which are so fun, so I highly suggest going to one!
Fall time rolled around and farmer’s markets came to a close, and dance started back up for me. My focus really then shifted to growing myself as a dancer and I started to really dive into choreographing. Fortunately, being on the UVU hip hop team allowed for lots of opportunity. Thanks to Martina Jorgensen’s belief and encouragement in my artistry, I started to choreograph for groups of advanced dancers and put my work on stage. I then started to receive paid gigs choreographing and was able to use my LLC as a platform to communicate with dance teams, organizations, and other creatives.
Knowing how often I started new creative endeavors, I made sure my business was titled “creative” rather than “paintings, choreography, etc.” This allows me the freedom to provide products OR services.
Then starting in 2024 I jumped back into social media management as an independent contractor. I currently do that today under Cherie Creative, and I’m looking for new companies to take on!
Interspersed throughout the years I have also freelance modeled and acted. I’ve modeled for UVU and some small businesses, and acted in a couple of student films!
Clients can now reach me at cherie.creative.llc@gmail.com for any of those things I mentioned!
They can also find me most active at @the.summerb on Instagram, or @cherie_creative on Instagram and Facebook.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’d say one of the biggest challenges of monetizing your art, whatever it be, is deciding how much your art is worth. How much are people willing to pay for it? When/what deserves an increase? Am I getting paid enough for how much time and effort I put in to this? Compromising on pricing with a client that has a small budget. And the bane of any artist’s existence, doing work for free to get your foot in the door. Networking, getting your name out there, asking for favors, and struggling to continue when you’re not making any money.
Being in the arts, let alone trying to make it a career is always going to be challenging because of the thousands of no’s you receive and creative endeavors that never really went anywhere. There’s also the challenge of life doing its thing and getting in the way of the “creative flow.” Amongst all of this I got married, became a dog mom, bought my first home, and I’m still trying to figure out this whole adulting thing.
Nevertheless, creativity and art have continuously given me purpose and passion and I thank God every day for the talents and opportunities he has given me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an independent contractor and freelance hip hop choreographer. I’ve been told what sets me apart from others is my teaching style, by making everyone feel very comfortable and capable. Hip hop is hard! I like to explain the moves as I go, and leave room for stylistic personal choices. I’ve also been told that my choreography is quite rooted in the fundamentals of hip hop, therefore really groovy! I have a vast knowledge of the history of hip hop- its different styles and elements. So I enjoy sharing that knowledge with others as well.
Being that my business is all things creative, I also offer so much more!
I’m also a Social Media Manager. I can offer creative direction and provide audience growth and real results for your company. As a Gen Z-er, I grew up with social media and have a vast understanding of the social media landscape. I happen to be a Canva wiz with graphics, and enjoy editing clips for Reels and TikTok.
I also freelance model, act, and dance. One of my dreams is to do commercial work, because of what a great experience I had with UVU for their campaigns, the UofU dancing in their, “Two Campuses, One University,” campaign, and filming dance music videos for Esprit d.c. at UVU.
Alongside all of that, I also can provide commissioned modern artwork for your space.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Create an LLC/small business! It’s really quite simple. Start by googling the Utah division of Corporations, or just look up, “how to start an LLC in Utah.” It’s fairly cheap and there are many resources for small business owners. I advise reaching out and talking to business owners you know/admire. Most people are happy to tell their story and offer advice, you just have to ask.
No matter how many people tell you that you cannot make a career or a living off of your passion, go for it. I’d rather fail trying than not try at all. People can sense passion and drive when they see it and will be further invested in your work if you truly follow your creative heart.
Know and learn your limits and do not undervalue your work.
Be aware that you will have to learn new skills along the way and that connections do matter. Do not pass up an opportunity to network and foster relationships. Keep in mind the level of professionalism and friendship in each connection you make.
You are more capable than you know!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.summerb/profilecard/?igsh=MWw4NG9rdzhvbG01MQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570085417072
- Other: Cherie.creative.llc@gmail.com
Image Credits
Personal Photo: August Miller
2nd: August Miller
3rd: Marisa Tafoya
4th: Arietta Dance Photography
5th: August Miller
