Robin Verrier
What happens when passion, artistry, and determination collide? You get Robin Verrier, the visionary behind Verry Robin & Co. A commercial prop stylist, photographer and art director, Robin blends the visual and tactile worlds of luxury brands to create evocative, storytelling imagery. Her career journey offers invaluable lessons to aspiring creatives on creativity, perseverance, and staying true to one’s vision.
Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Discovering the Passion: Robin’s Early Career
Robin’s creative roots trace back to Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, where she studied fashion merchandising. However, post-college life brought the
revelation, “I really realized I didn’t want to be a buyer. I didn’t want to work in import-export or textiles,”
Her breakthrough moment came during a stint at a publication, where she found herself captivated by styling and photography for advertisements. “It made me so excited. I was like, this is my dream job, my soulmate of a career,” she said. This realization set her on the path to launching her own company.
Building Verry Robin & Co
Robin’s decision to start her own business was bold and daunting. She described the early days as a whirlwind of outreach and hustle: “I would email brands back in the day and be like, hi, I’m Robin Verrier. This is what I do.” Her willingness to put herself out there and refine her craft over time laid the foundation for her success.
“It took years to figure out my style, who my clients are, and how I can give them the most ROI,” she explained. For Robin, patience and persistence were key: “To grow and scale a successful business, you need to have a lot of patience, which I actually normally don’t have.”
What Makes Robin’s Work Unique
Robin stands out by combining styling and photography into one seamless service, creating visuals that are “exciting, beautiful, and colorful.” Her work often has a touch of imperfection, a deliberate choice to make it feel more relatable and approachable. “I don’t ever want to come off as stuffy,” she quipped. “If something is just a little undone, like a broken shell or an odd number, it’s more approachable.”
Her philosophy extends to the emotional resonance of her work. “People want to be inspired. They want magic and fairy dust, and they want you to take them there,” Robin said, emphasizing the importance of crafting imagery that moves people.
Challenges and Lessons of Creative Entrepreneurship
Running her own business has been both rewarding and challenging. Robin is candid about the sheer amount of work involved. “It is triple, double, quadruple the work when it is under your own name, for your own company,” she said. The fast-evolving nature of her industry requires constant adaptability. Quoting Martha Stewart, Robin noted, “The second you stop evolving is when you die.”
For aspiring creatives, Robin stresses the value of grit and resilience. “You will, in fact, never work harder than you will as a business owner,” she said. But with hard work comes immense fulfillment: “I love it, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Creative Process and Studio Life
Robin’s studio is her creative haven, filled with carefully curated props that she jokingly refers to as evidence of her “professional hoarder” tendencies. From antique coral to quirky objects that catch her eye, every item has a story and purpose.
Her creative process is deeply immersive. “I listen to music I would normally associate with the theme of the shoot. I might even watch a movie the night before to get into the right headspace,” she shared. This dedication to method acting-like preparation ensures her visuals align perfectly with a project’s goals.
Robin’s Philosophy: Magic, Fairy Dust, and Practical Strategy
Robin’s approach blends artistic inspiration with strategic thinking. Whether styling an ad or designing a campaign, she begins by asking fundamental questions: “Who are your demographics? What moves the needle? What makes your audience excited?” By weaving creativity with commercial goals, she helps brands tell compelling stories.
Her advice? “Don’t overthink it. Be kinder to yourself. People don’t care as much as you think they do. Just do things that make you happy.”
Milestone Achievements and What’s Next
A recent highlight in Robin’s career was her feature in the New York Times for her innovative approach to gift wrapping and gift giving. “It still feels very surreal,” she said. The feature showcased her playful yet elegant style, blending nostalgia and creativity.
Looking ahead, Robin hinted at exciting new projects: “There’s a lot of really cool stuff happening behind the scenes,” she teased. Fans of her work can also look forward to her 2025 desk calendars, which she describes as “monthly mood boards, just fun and colorful.”
Robin Verrier’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, persistence, and authenticity. Her work at Verry Robin & Co inspires not only through its beauty but also through the thoughtfulness and strategy behind it. For Robin, success is about staying true to her creative vision while embracing the ever-evolving challenges of entrepreneurship. As she put it best: “Take care of your headspace. Do what makes you happy.”
Tune in to Wine and Dine Me Podcast in Apple Podcast and Spotify to listen to our conversation with Robin.
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