Frederick Factor

The Helping Factor with Tina Harper

• Sandy Dubay • Season 2 • Episode 7

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Show Summary

In this episode, Tina Harper, the owner and CEO of Dream Free Art, shares her story of developing her unconventional business idea amid the pandemic with six kids at home. After initially facing doubters of her creative business idea, she participated in Frederick’s ShePitch contest, and soon, the community fell in love with the studio. Listen to Tina’s journey as a business owner and her experience living in Frederick. 


Show Notes / Highlights from the Show:

  • How Tina, a mom of 6, got the idea to transition her business model amid the pandemic
  • How Dream Free Art’s experiences are different than typical “Sip and Paint” events
  • The story behind Dream Free Art’s Bob Ross-inspired “Happy Accidents” Class, their “Glow” events, and more
  • Tina’s experience of participating in Frederick’s ShePitch
  • How the community of Frederick has welcomed and supported Tina and her business
  • Ways that Frederick County and the community can continue to support small businesses and underrepresented businesses
  • Tina’s Frederick Factor 


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About the Frederick Factor:

The Frederick Factor Podcast highlights the stories of underrepresented business owners, professionals, and community leaders making an impact in Frederick, Maryland. You can visit our website at https://frederickfactor.com/.

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Frederick Factor Season 2 Episode 7: 
The Helping Factor with Tina Harper of Dream Free Art


Ashleigh: Welcome to the Frederick Factor. My name is Ashleigh Kiggins and I'm the host of Season Two. Everyone who's lived in, worked in or visited Frederick, Maryland knows there's just something special about this place. One of those things is the incredible diverse community that continues to grow here. On this podcast, we bring Frederick's underrepresented business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders into the spotlight to share their stories with you and find out: what's their Frederick Factor. 

Tina: Thank you, Ashley. I'm so excited. I'm so glad that you invited me to come and interview with you.


Ashleigh: Oh, awesome. I wish that we could actually be doing this in your [studio]. If this was a video, we would be doing this at your place.

Tina: 100% <laugh>


Ashleigh: Splattering paint in between our conversation. Yes. So, first to start off, could you tell us a little bit about your background and yourself and Dream Free Art?

Tina: Sure. So I am a wife. I am a mom of seven children. 


Ashleigh: Woo. 

Tina: Yes. <laugh> With my oldest being 16, and my youngest just turned 4. 


Ashleigh: And she's still smiling. <laugh>.

Tina: You have to laugh to keep from crying <laugh>. So I originally was a traveling artist, and so when I started the business, I would go to different people's locations and I would teach my art. And I say my art because I like to think outside of the box. I don't like to do the traditional “paint and sip” type things. So I would teach my art at people's locations, and that was a great business model until the pandemic hit. Once the pandemic hit, that kind of brought a screeching halt to someone being able to travel to your location and do anything. And so when I was in the house for that entire time, my husband was teleworking, my kids were virtual schooling -- six of them were virtual schooling. And I had a toddler who had never been outside. you And so it was kind of an idea that, instead of me going out in the community, to get the community to come into my space. And that's where the idea came from. And of course, the idea of being able to create freely, to create therapeutic stress-relieving art, and to not worry about how the art is gonna turn out, but to just enjoy the process of making it. 


Ashleigh: Awesome. So now let's say I'm walking into your studio for the first time, knowing nothing about it. Walk me through what it's all about. What is Dream Free Art?

Tina: Sure. First of all, you'd be surprised how often that happens because typically, like on a date, one of them paid and one of them knows exactly what's getting ready to happen, and the other walks in and is completely blindsided and is like, “What is this? And what did you get me into?” <laugh> So typically the spiel that I give is that when you come into our studio, there is no judgment, just fun. So do not worry about how this piece that you are creating, whether it's in our classes or it's in our splatter room -- don't worry about how it's gonna turn out. Just let your mind free, let your hair down for a little bit. Let down your guard and just explore and experience the art. But when you come into the studio, you put on our suits. So we have ponchos, we have goggles, we have shoe protection and sometimes shower caps for those of you who wanna protect your hair. And then I will walk you through a general idea of what the concept is, which is to create a masterpiece by literally throwing paint at it. <laugh>. I'll demonstrate a couple of little techniques, even though there's not too much that goes into it, but I'll demonstrate for you, and then I'll walk you into your room. If you have chosen the Glow Package, which a lot of people do, then you get neon colors and there's a black light. Or you can do the standard and then you pick your colors. So you come up with your own color scheme. So the possibilities are endless for the pieces that you can make. There's a bluetooth speaker in every room, so that way you can connect and listen to whatever it is that inspires you to create. And then I wish you well. <laugh> 

Ashleigh: <laugh>. I mean, the fact of just being able to walk into a space and just throw paint at the wall [is amazing], I feel like many of us have probably felt like we've wanted to do [that]-- probably when painting our own homes. We are in a constant state of remodel in my home. I feel like all I wanna do is take a wall, and just splatter paint everywhere. And say, “Hey, leave the cleanup to someone else right now.” At least I can go to you. Splatter paint and leave the cleanup to someone else.

Tina: Exactly. And one of my favorite things is that when we take your canvases off the wall, you've left some of your art on our wall. And it's been collecting and collecting and it tells its own little story. We had a family over Christmas that put a snowman and put a Santa up. And so that was up there for a while. And then around Valentine's Day, we had a group of women come in and they put hearts all over the walls. Of course people are splattering on top of it. But for a brief moment, your art stays with us and we love it.

Ashleigh: <laugh>. Well, and you mentioned family. So is this something open to all ages?

Tina: Yes. We have had as young as 1 in our splatter rooms. And I've had several 1-year-olds actually, and they have a blast. <laugh>. And then we've had up to 60 plus years old come in. We had a mom who wanted to celebrate her 60th birthday, and they had probably one of the best times I've seen so far, cuz they had a blast in there.

Ashleigh: <laugh>. Well, and I know that you have a different spin on the Sip and Paint. You're used to the ones where you go and you sit and you follow a prompt. For those like myself who are not nearly artistic -- I mean, my stick figures are horrible. <laugh> Absolutely horrible. It's kind of a fear of going in, and sitting in one of those classes and everyone judging my paint. So you guys do something similar.

Tina: Yes. Except for you're exactly who I want to come in <laugh>, because we want you to come in and to not worry about how it's going to turn out. And nothing against the traditional Paint and Sip models. I love them. I go to them myself. But typically everyone goes in and comes out with a very similar looking picture. And you were given very specific instructions on how to get there. And when you go as a group, like if you're going for a girl's night out, or with your mom or with your husband, you typically aren't connecting with that person that you come in with because you don't wanna miss the instructions. So in our studio with our classes and our paint events, we typically encourage connecting with each other, talking to each other. One of our more popular classes right now is our Happy Accidents Class. <laugh>. That is Bob Ross-inspired, of course. We follow a Bob Ross tutorial by listening only. So you don't watch the tutorial, you listen and make decisions.

Ashleigh: So you have to figure out on your own where that happy little bush goes.

Tina: Yeah, exactly. <laugh>. And it always, from the very beginning, we'll tell you what the title of the tutorial is, and I don't know either. I usually let my husband pick and I follow along, so I'm in the struggle with you guys. But, we follow along and he'll tell us the title of the painting, and then he'll say, “Okay, I'm rolling the colors that you'll need across the bottom of the screen.” Well, we can't see the screen, Bob <laugh> I'm sure you intended for us to watch this, but some of us are just listening to you right now <laugh>. And the orientation of the painting -- does he have it vertical? Does he have it horizontal? All of those are decisions that you have to make. And what ends up happening is, of course, you go through a range of emotions through this process because, if he tells you, like at one point he mentioned, one of his tutorials, he spent about three minutes on a squirrel.


Ashleigh: Interesting.

Tina: There was no squirrel in the painting. <laugh>. He was just talking about a squirrel. And we were like, Okay, Bob. And then he goes, and now you're gonna put your water up in here. Where, Bob? <laugh> Where's the water? So we all walk out with completely different paintings, even though we were given the same set of instructions. So it's just open to our own interpretation, and it is a blast. I've had kids come in and do it. Adults come in, and then typically the Friday night class picks up a lot because that one's also BYOB. And so that makes people a lot more creative. <laugh>.


Ashleigh: I can only imagine. You know, it reminds me of back when we were all in grade school and we were putting together our science fair projects. And they used to tell you that you’d have to “do your steps” and “your procedure.” I remember I had a science teacher that would say “take the paint.” And then now, the paint is on the page?! So, come on Bob, we gotta get better with that.

Tina: I need a little more information. I'm sure you wanted me to watch this, but yeah. We're not. 

Ashleigh: Yeah, improve on that procedure. <laugh>.

Tina: Exactly. And it has been so liberating. I guess that's the best way [to describe it] because, you know, we as adults, as humans, are so locked into the norm, into our routine, into the regular, the everyday. So to come to a place that says there is no norm, there is no routine. Come in and have fun. Let your hair down. Think outside the box. And people, especially in the splatter room, what always cracks me up is there's a good five-minute window that there's typically silence or very little conversation. And I call that process the unpacking process. They're literally getting out of their own way because you're not allowed to make those kinds of decisions. Or those kinds of pieces of art. And it breaks the norm. And then within the next 5 to 10 minutes, that's when you hear people jumping around and they're laughing and they're joking and they're dancing to the music, and it's like, ah, now they're finally in the process. So it's really interesting to see people have to really kind of unpack their brain to go against what we're typically taught and told to do.


Ashleigh: Literally stepping outside of the box.

Tina: <laugh>. 

Ashleigh: So the first time I saw you was at the Women in Business SheWeek Event. For those who don't know, the Chamber of Commerce of Frederick County has a committee called the Women in Business Committee that focuses on supporting female business owners and setting up networking events, things like that. And once a year, they have a week that we call SheWeek. And SheWeek is usually one week in the summer that is just completely girl-power focused -- that’s almost the only way I can always think of describing it. There are speakers; there are different types of events. And one of those events is ShePitch and ShePitch is almost like a Shark Tank for female business owners. And you can kind of give us a little more of that process, but I know that you have to apply, you go in front of a very large group of people you don't know, and it's even open to the public. You have to buy a ticket. Men, women, children, everybody [is] out there. [It’s] incredibly nerve-wracking because you're pitching so that you can win money to help build your business. And so how did you hear about that and what led you to doing ShePitch? And furthermore, as a female Black business owner, how did you feel competing in an environment like that?

Tina: Well, so I originally heard about ShePitch from Karen. Shameless plug, I love Karen Kalantzis. She is the best mentor ever. She really has been the driving force behind the scenes to help me go from being all over the place with my thoughts and my ideas, to really helping me streamline it, to making it become something that is tangible.


Ashleigh: And Karen [works at what] company.

Tina: Maryland Women's Business Center.

Ashleigh: Thank you. Yes.

Tina: So anyone listening who is thinking about starting their own business and not sure where to begin -- business plans, business plans -- that is to the go-to person. I tell her all the time -- I'm her biggest cheerleader. I plug her every chance I get. I was telling someone earlier today -- I was like, “oh, you wanna do that? Call Karen, make sure you send her an email.” I might have sent her like 800 clients at this point. <laugh> 


Ashleigh: She also sits on the Chamber -- Women in Business Committee.

Tina: Yes. So I had made a post in one of the Facebook groups, and I was like, “I don't know where to start with this process because I originally had the studio idea when I originally opened the business.” And someone mentioned that I should reach out to the Maryland Women's Business Center. So I did. I got hooked up with Karen. Karen lovingly guided me towards getting my life together. <laugh>.


Ashleigh: <laugh>.

Tina: If I wanted to make this happen, she helped me figure it out. And then she just casually mentioned the ShePitch thing. And of course, I'm the kind of person that -- I'll shoot my shot. I'll try; I'll see how far I can get. But a lot of times, people get in their heads and they're like, “Oh, I never win anything.” Or “Why should I? They're not gonna pick me.” So I was trying to put that thought on the back burner, and I was like, I might as well shoot my shot, see how far I can go. It's a process. It's like a 5-month process. A 4- or 5-month process. So it started back in March. I submitted the application. I went through the whole process and I just kept leveling up. And it was a surprise. And I don't know why I was surprised, but I was surprised for myself, even though I put in the work to make it happen. But I was like, “Wow, they like me!” <laugh>. I was like, okay, let's do this. <laugh>.


Ashleigh: And it's not an easy process. 

Tina: No. 

Ashleigh: There are a number of steps to go through. There's a number of things that you have to do. I sat on the Women in Business Committee last year -- not on this particular subcommittee -- but I know that when we talked about it, right off the bat, they had over 100 applicants. 


Tina: Right. 

Ashleigh:  So, and then as you start being required to do more and more things, people slowly start to fall off. So it's not a 5-month-here's-my-application-I'll-sit-back-and-wait-for-them-to-call.

Tina: No. Right. “See you guys in August!” <laugh>.


Ashleigh: Exactly. So if anyone is thinking about applying, make sure you check that out and be prepared.

Tina: Yes. But honestly, even though it was one of the most hair pulling experiences of my life, I am so grateful for it because it really took my idea from just an idea to something concrete and tangible. It made me step up to the plate to meet where my idea was. My idea was big, but I didn't know how to make it actually happen; how to get it out of my head. So the steps that they have put into place for this process made me as a female business owner really mature and really go from just, “Okay, yeah, I'm gonna do $25 here, $10 here as a business” to “No, I could really build this into something big. This is something that I could really, really do.” And so many sleepless nights, up figuring it out. It was like I was in college all over again -- working on my paper endlessly as I kept going from one stage to the next. [Until] I got to that final stage in August. I'm a theater kid. I'm an extroverted extrovert on top of that. I'm not just a normal extrovert. I will talk to the person in the grocery store. <laugh>. And when they talk to me, I talk back. So I'm like, “Hi guys!” I'm [in] like the top 10% of extroverted extroverts. So I was like, if I could just get on that stage, this is it. I got it. I just gotta get to the place where I can get on the stage. And once I got up there, I had a blast.


Ashleigh:  <laugh>. Well, and as somebody who was sitting in the audience, it was very evident that you were having a blast. 


Tina: Thank you. 


Ashleigh: I mean, we all could feel your energy. And, it wasn't even just those amazing hot pink pants.

Tina: Hot, hot pink pants. <laugh>.


Ashleigh We'll talk about that after. Cause I'm gonna need to find out where you got them. <laugh>. But it was that entire energy that you just brought to the stage and you brought to the room and you could just feel it.

Tina: Thank you.

Ashleigh: None of us really even knew who you were. And everybody was like, “Oh man, I feel that! When is it opening? Where do we find this place?” 

Tina: Thank you. Thank you. 

Ashleigh: And that kinda leads me to -- so what challenges have you faced being a minority business owner here in Frederick County?

Tina: So, I originally grew up in PG County. I was born in Kentucky, but I spent like 90% of my life thus far in PG County. So when I moved from PG County to Frederick County, it was a bit of a change. It was definitely an adjustment that had to be made. But I can definitely say that, as a PG County girl at heart, Frederick fights daily to be the number one spot in my heart. And it drives me crazy. <laugh>. I love Frederick so much. I have never felt so loved and supported. And it's from not just, you know, Black women or Black men. It's been everyone that I have come in contact with through this process of just being in Frederick. Not even being a business owner, but just living in Frederick has been so warm and welcoming and loving and supporting.

Honestly, I haven't really run into any major challenges. I know that at first, before I went through the ShePitch process, when I was just starting to send out some feelers, like, “Hey, what is the process of opening up a business? Hey, you got a spot? Hey, can you send me an email?” A lot of people were kind of like, “You've got a really weird business plan here, kid. Like, what do you think you're gonna do? You're just gonna throw paint around.” And I'm like, yes. <laugh>. Trust the process on this one. So that was a little bit of a pill battle that I had to fight at first. But then going through the process of ShePitch really helped me polish it up a little bit better. And that definitely helped. But just at first it was just trying to get people to see the vision and to believe the vision. 


Ashleigh: 100%


Tina: Because it is quite the vision. <laugh>.

****Sponsorship Message****

Hi, I'm Nisha from Platinum PR--Places Reimagined, and we're the creators and producers of the Frederick Factor. We're also the sponsors of Season Two. For over two decades, the Platinum PR team has helped economic development and tourism organizations discover their potential, attract new investment, and tell their community story. Would you like our team of talented professionals to help you reimagine your place? We'd love to hear from you. Find us www.platinumpr.com or click the link in the show notes. We're also looking for sponsors of future episodes of the Frederick Factor. If you're interested in sponsoring future episodes, so your business or organization can be featured in a message like this, email us at info@frederickfactor.com to find out more. Happy listening.


Ashleigh: I think it's incredible -- I've seen and witnessed the support since last summer and even very recently. Is there anything else that you feel like the county or the community could do to better support your business? Or even just other underrepresented business owners?

Tina: Just knowing, being open and being aware of sharing your experience of a business. We definitely learned through the pandemic that word of mouth is key. I watched so many businesses that the lines were wrapped around the building in 2020 because somebody took a picture of it and was like, “Oh, did you wanna get this? Because this was amazing.” And then it was like an hour-long wait to get in there, you know? So if we could just kind of keep that energy surrounding all the businesses, especially the great businesses that are here, and the smaller businesses that are here in Frederick, it will do wonders. So just continue to have opportunities like this for the smaller businesses, and opportunities like ShePitch just to give them the opportunity to really present themselves and to support one another.


Ashleigh: Yeah. 100%. There was almost an awakening in 2020 of just recognizing, I wouldn't say that it hadn't been recognized before necessarily, but just really highlighting -- I think that's the best way to put it -- highlighting the number of female-owned and all different minority-owned types of business in Frederick. And what I've loved to see is -- we're now in 2023, so we're almost three years post, or three years since the pandemic. But it's been great to see that energy still continuing and so much growth happening from that. And one of those [parts of] growth was the EmPOWER program. And that was a program that was supported by the Frederick County Office of Economic Development. And I was a part of that program last year. I was a mentor last year. This year, I got to be a speaker. But once again, it took a look at all the different types of underrepresented business owners, community people -- you know, just putting everybody into a room. I mean, you have a basket creator, you have a dj. <laugh>. I mean, just so many different types. And so, could you tell us a little bit about that program and how that's helped you continue to develop? 

Tina: First of all, best class ever. I'm a little biased. <laugh>. Because, you know, I just finished it and I think that we slayed. <laugh>.


Ashleigh: So now are you guys stealing “best class ever” from the Chambers Leadership Program?

Tina: Exactly. Because we're gonna eventually be in there anyway. So we're officially the last of the best class ever anyway. <laugh>. That's what I'm calling. <laugh>.


Ashleigh: <laugh>. 

Tina: The EmPOWER program was phenomenal. Jodie  and Shana. Shana is one of the best business resources here in Frederick, and she's so nice and sweet, and people probably don't even really know all that she does behind the scenes to really help support small businesses. So I just love Shana. I really do. But they were the facilitators of the process. And like you said, I was in there with some amazing business owners, but the number one thing that I really took from that was collaboration, being there with other businesses and other business owners who were in similar situations. Some of us were a little further down the road at that point; some were just starting off. I had just gotten the keys and was like, “Okay guys, so how did you -- where did you -- help please?” <laugh>. But the way that we surrounded one another and we connected with each other and we were able to get valuable information and being able to pick people's brains who have been in business and in their fields for a long time. And they just freely were willing to share that information with us to help us grow as business owners. Invaluable resource. It was phenomenal. And once we got to the last week, we were all like, “Well, now what are we supposed to do? What Is this? What am I supposed to do with my Friday mornings now?” <laugh>.


Ashleigh: Well, and just so everybody knows, so Jodie Ballenger, who she's referring to -- Jodie is now the acting Executive Director for the Office of Economic Development at Frederick County, and then Shana Knight, who everybody would be familiar with if you've listened to this podcast, because Shana was also a guest for us here in Season Two as as well. And at that point, Shana was just transitioning into her position with Economic Development at Frederick County. And so now she's established in that. So this is a good little Shana follow-up. 


Tina: Yes. Yes. Shana's amazing. <laugh>.


Ashleigh: Yeah. And it's great to have those resources available, identifying that we needed to do more here in Frederick County. Like I said, once again, not that it wasn't being done, but what could we do more? What could we do to go above and beyond? And once again, when we talk about equity and equality, that's that difference. This program -- the EmPOWER program -- helps with that equity because it helps to put people all on that same playing field so that we can start talking about more equality. Because there is a huge difference between the two. I sit on a number of DEI committees and I preach the difference between equity and equality. So it's great to see that we are starting to really catch up and push so that we can create that equity here in Frederick County.

Tina: All right. And that's one of the beautiful things about Frederick is that Frederick County is aware that they want to do more, and they're willing to take the steps to do more. And again, that goes back to the fact that I've never experienced a community like this before in my life. It's beautiful.


Ashleigh: Agreed. I grew up in Northern Virginia, <laugh>. So I 100% agree with you moving to Frederick. It’s like -- I lived where, who, what? 

Tina: Right.


Ashleigh: It’s the kool aid, y'all. We all drank it.

Tina: Exactly. And I think that I would be disowned from the county if I ever said that I loved Frederick County more than PG County, but I will tell you, it's a struggle. <laugh>


Ashleigh: And I really hope that a lot of people do kind of understand that because -- so right now, I sit on a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion group at the state level for Maryland realtors. And when we talk about Frederick County, people still think that we have our cows just walking up and down Market Street here. And unless they come out here and they've been here, I don't think they really understand how diverse this community has become. We still have some areas where we have a long way to go, but there is so much community love and community support. I always say that people don't know you in Frederick County by how much money you make. They know you by how much money you give away. They know you by how much of your time you volunteer. That's what really kind of gets you that notoriety and that almost respect of you know, “Wow, you're really doing something that's helping this community and we love that.” So, you know, it's such a special county. I call it the huggy town. 

Tina: Yes. <laugh>


Ashleigh: You meet people once, maybe twice, and you're hugging.

Tina: Yes. <laugh>


Ashleigh: COVID was very tough for me to not just randomly start hugging people. <laugh>.

Tina: I told you that [I’m an] extroverted extrovert. I think I hugged like three people today. Yes. And you were the third! <laugh>

Ashleigh: It's that vibe you get. Holiday party season is always one of my favorite times around here. This past year we had 17 holiday parties that we had to attend. It's a lot. It's exhausting. And you see all the same people. And I will tell you - back to back nights -- it's still “Oh, so good to see you. Give you a hug.” <laugh>. It's really a great thing. And, seeing the way that the community has come behind and supported you. I mean, just in the elevator on the way up, you and I were talking about the Facebook group -- and how someone shared their date night. And within 24 hours, it was over 300, 400 likes and comments and “Wow, where can we find this? What can we do?” Those are the types of things that continue to bring this community. So it is so great to hear and it's so good to see that you've been able to go in less than a year. Get the goal and get it started and get it going. I know that you have years of success ahead of you.

Tina: Oh yeah. That's the goal. <laugh>

Ashleigh: I mean, I'm already thinking, like, “Hey, does she wanna open another second location up in [inaudible]? Maybe start franchising.” We can talk!

Tina: Yes, yes. These are all the off-the-air conversations. <laugh>

Ashleigh: So the one last question I will ask you, and it's something that we asked all of our guests -- so what is, and I think you've already touched on this a number of times, but --

Tina: The hot pink pants. No, I'm kidding. <laugh>

Ashleigh: <laugh>. I mean, lif you just tell me the store where I can get them tailored to be long enough for these legs --

Tina: I understand, I understand. <laugh>.

Ashleigh: But what is your Frederick Factor? I mean, what, to you, is like, the “It factor” here?

Tina: For Frederick County or Frederick City? 

Ashleigh: For Frederick County. So for instance, I said that my Frederick Factor is the community. Just the love of the community. Back to my Huggy Town. 

Tina: Honestly, I would say the same, but I'll put a little spin on it so that it doesn't seem like I copied off your paper.

Ashleigh: <laugh>.

Tina: It's the fact that people are willing to help. That goes into the community, but it's a little deeper than that. It's the fact that people want to help. It is genuine, if you see somebody that's in need, if you see somebody that just needs anything, you're willing to step in and help. And it's almost like second nature. People don't think twice about it. If you see a car pulled over on the side of the road, people will just stop and help. If one of your kids' shoes falls off, someone just comes by and stops and helps. All the neighborhood groups -- they're always looking for a lost cat or a lost dog, and everybody's like, “oh, I saw him over on Buckeystown.” It's unbelievable how much this community rallies and supports when someone is in need no matter what that need is, even if it's a business need that is someone who is just opening -- someone like myself -- but the community is willing to rally and come and support. You know, I've had so many people -- I've only been open for two months, and so many people have come in and said, “I really wish the best for you. This is great. I'm gonna make sure I tell everyone.” And I don't know these people. And I'm like, please don't make me ugly cry at work. <laugh>. This is so beautiful. <laugh>.


Ashleigh: You can just hug them while they're paint-covered.

Tina: Exactly. I'll be like, here, pick pink. It's fine. <laugh>


Ashleigh: 100% though. It’s the helping -- even the next doors and the ring camera alerts, you get, “Hey, I saw somebody in my backyard.” And even if it's no big deal. The need to wanna report it so that someone else, so [that] you may be helping someone else out. 


Tina: Yeah. It’s incredible. 


Ashleigh: So it's the Helping Factor.

Tina: It's the Helping Factor. And I mean, my husband coaches football, and I won't say which name because, there's a lot of teams that aren't really fond of us. <laugh>. And I coach cheer for the same program, and oh my goodness, the amount of support that you get from the community is beautiful. And the way that we're able to give back to the kids and to the families and it's an aggressive sport, right? It's a competitive sport, but it is still so much fun to see these families and to see the kids, and to see the community rally around each other and support for something that's supposed to be a way to get your eight-year-old out of the house on Saturday. Right. It's just a beautiful community. Love Frederick. <laugh>.


Ashleigh: Agreed. 100% agree. Now, if somebody wanted to go and find you, we'll have links to all of this for you guys. 

Tina: So I am everywhere. <laugh> No, I'm kidding. <laugh>. So my website is dreamfreeart.com. I have an email address. I have a TikTok, I have a Twitter, I have Facebook, and I have Instagram. It's all under Dream Free Art, except for my Instagram, which is @DreamFreeArtStudio. That's where you can find me.


Ashleigh: <laugh>. Well, we will have all of your handles and hooks and ticks and tocks. All that stuff.

Tina: Yeah. 


Ashleigh: Yes. Well have it all listed. So Tina, thank you so much for being here.

Tina: Ashleigh, I screamed when I saw your email, I was like, “ah, Ashley wants to talk to me!” <laugh>. I was so excited. So thank you so much for having me. I appreciate it so much.


Ashleigh: Yeah, this has been fun. I mean, nothing more fun on a Tuesday afternoon than to be able to do this. So I truly appreciate it. I cannot wait to get over there. I will be over there before you know it. And I'm looking forward to the Glow one -- that seems right up my alley.

Tina: You know, throw on some nineties R&B and throw around some neon paint. It's a good time.


Ashleigh: I mean, if I could wear backwards overalls and be KrisKross in there too, then this would just be topping everything. <laugh>.

Tina: Exactly. <laugh>.


Ashleigh: Well, thank you.

Tina: Thank you.


Ashleigh: And again, this is Ashleigh Kiggins for Season Two of the Frederick Factor podcast.


You've been listening to the Frederick Factor. Want to find out more about our diverse community that makes Frederick so special? Visit our website at www.frederickfactor.com. ‘Til next time.