Anna DeMarco-Mills is a jack of many terrific trades. She’s surrounded by creativity with her New Old Fashioned endeavor that hosts well-curated craft and culinary workshops, as well as her day job in the accounts department at Urban Outfitters Inc. in Philadelphia. Beth and I had the pleasure of meeting Anna at the Sweet Paul Makerie at terrain back in April (more about this in July’s newsletters!). Here she had teamed up with talented calligrapher Meredith Langer to teach a wonderful Watercolour Correspondence workshop which was packed with practical hints, tips, tools and techniques to help us create our own works of art. It was so much fun and Anna was a fantastic teacher. We couldn’t wait to find out more about her and how she’s doing what she loves. Hope you enjoy the interview. ~ Rachel
1. What’s your background?
I was raised in an Italian American family with a chef for a dad and a very serious baker for a mom. Throughout my life, my family owned restaurants, gourmet shops and a catering business. I studied Small Business Management in college because I always knew my goal was to run my own business. Somewhere along the way, I discovered my talent for crunching numbers. That’s how I landed in the finance world. I spent many years focusing on “success” and what was supporting me financially while pursuing other passions, and honing my skills and expertise in cooking, styling and event coordination.
Once I figured out what I really wanted, I started creating and volunteering my time; I put myself out there as much as possible. When I have an idea or a concept, I don’t think, “I wonder if anyone will like this.” Instead, I dare myself to do it. So over the past few years I’ve been exploring my creative side much more and taking many more risks in order to grow my business.
3. How do you find the time to do your day job at Urban Outfitters Inc. in Philadelphia with running your own business?
It can be extremely hard at times, especially on Monday mornings after a “work-end” full of events. Luckily, I have a very understanding and supportive husband and my friends and family are very accepting. I miss socializing, but my friends are so lovely that they often attend my events in order to spend time with me! How lucky am I?
From creative crafts to pickling vegetables Anna hosts all sorts of wonderful workshops
4. New Old Fashioned started as a passion project and it’s grown into a viable business. Was this always your intention and how have your goals and dreams changed?
The New Old Fashioned started as a dare to myself! I was starting to get really angsty. I had so many ideas and concepts in my head, but I couldn’t find a way to align them to form a business plan that made sense. I just decided to forget the labels and do what felt exciting. I started throwing workshops, catering and volunteering for photo styling jobs, etc. It seemed to grow organically and take shape from there.
Watercolour stationery – one of Anna’s many talents!
5. What are the toughest lessons you’ve learnt launching a new start-up?
You don’t know what you don’t know! Sounds simple, right? You are never going to be able to predict things on the horizon, you just have to be prepared as much as possible and be willing and able to recoup when the unexpected happens.
6. What can people expect from a New Old Fashioned workshop? And when are your next workshops?
My hope is that the students who attend my workshops, first and foremost, learn something new and have fun. I want them to feel the wonder of learning a new skill and feel confident about using their new-found tools and techniques once they’re back home. I engage my students in as many ways possible for the full experience and we love to eat and laugh! Recently I’ve been incredibly busy with private and corporate events, but I have a lots of fun workshops planned for the near future. Look out for some culinary workshops that will be open to the public in the Fall.
Made by Anna: delicious sweet treats to sell at market
7. What have been your biggest highlights in the last year or two?
It’s been incredible to see interest in artisan workshops in the event industry grow. I love that in the digital age, when we are bombarded by information via the internet and social media, etc. there’s a growing desire to get together for face to face workshops and gatherings. My participation in the Sweet Paul Makerie was a particular highlight. It was a full circle moment for me. I’ve been a fan of Sweet Paul for years and the magazine is a constant source of inspiration for me so to be involved in such an inspiring event that brought so many creative, like-minded people together meant the world!
Anna’s watercolour workshop at Sweet Paul Makerie, Philadelphia
8. As well as cooking, styling and coordinating events, you’re an amazing artist; when did you discover your passion for watercolour painting and how often do you do it?
I actually discovered watercolour one day at work. At URBN, we have a weekly “Brown Bag” class. It’s open to employees only and each class has a different focus. About five years ago, I attended a watercolour Christmas card class and it was a total game changer. I started making my own cards and my hobby took off from there. Last week, I taught my very own Brown Bag on DIY Designer popcorn making. It was extremely fun!
Anna’s DIY Designer Popcorn making workshop
9. Talk us through your dream day…
My kind of day involves waking up very early in the morning, jumping in my car with my husband, Tommy, and going for a road trip. It’s so lovely to live on the Eastern seaboard. We are within driving distance to so many amazing destinations. This road trip would also include any combination of a farmer’s market, flea market, antique shops, vintage cookbooks and, of course, great food.
10. Where do you go to dream, create or just be?
I go to the beach or the mountains. Here in Pennsylvania, we have the very best of both words… we are no more than two hours from both. My husband and like to spend as much time as possible in the Pocono Mountains and hope to have a little place of our own there someday.
11. It’s an exciting time for you; what’s next?
Well, as you know, this was a dare turned into a much bigger project, so it’s almost like starting from the middle. I would like to spend some time focusing on fine-tuning my business plan and branding. I think a big part of the future for The New Old Fashioned will be the workshop piece being added to amazing events. I’ve been getting a lot of requests from people who want to add a workshop element to an event or party they are organizing and I think that is a wonderful idea. How cool would it be to offer entertainment in the form of inspiration and education to guests at your next get-together?
Partnerning with Lindsey Buck of The Hive Studio to deliver calligraphy workshops in Philly
12. What’s your ultimate dream?
This is funny because I used to tell everyone that my dream would be to work for a lifestyle brand like Ina Garten , Martha Stewart or (our favourite ) Sweet Paul, but I think my secret dream, in the deepest part of my heart, is to create a lifestyle brand centred around home, cooking and crafting. I would never want to be anyone else, but I’d like to build something similar around my own loves and passions.
Anna’s snapshot
Best light-bulb moment: Realising that I didn’t need to be working full time in the event industry to start creating; I could create and produce my own work and start building a portfolio on my own. I think people who love to plan events should just start planning events. Grassroots style… throw a party, sell tickets on Eventbrite and take great photos. True passion and talent are contagious and people will notice.
Favourite way to relax: Believe it or not…cooking and baking. As long as my husband loads the dishwasher for me!
Next creative challenge: Defining my company brand identity. It’s hard because I want it to encompass so many different things. I guess I should probably just keep it as simple as possible!
Colour you most love right now: Turquoise is my very favourite, but I always love a pale peach, too.
Quote you live by: Always treat others as you’d like to be treated.
Wish for the world: That we don’t let social media destroy our connection with one another.
To find out more about Anna, visit her website, or connect with her on Facebook or Pinterest.
