An Inspired Chat with Danielle Derois of Prescott

We recently had the chance to connect with Danielle Derois and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
At the end of 2025, I sat down, scrolled through my social media, and suddenly realized how much I had actually accomplished. I’d been so busy creating and saying yes to opportunities that I hadn’t slowed down to take it all in. When I finally did, I honestly laughed—because I couldn’t believe how much my business and art had grown in just one year.

In the past twelve months, I became a Top 3 finalist for the 2025 Prescott Woman Awards, did my first branding photo shoot, started teaching adult craft classes at the library, and even had my watercolor work featured—and purchased—at a local showcase. I began teaching private paint lessons to a homeschool student, was featured in The Daily Courier, had my art accepted into Prescott Valley’s Utility Box Project, and was featured in three magazines.

Seeing it all laid out like that made me feel incredibly proud… and also a little amused. I jokingly told myself, “Well, I guess I can retire now!” But really, it reminded me how far I’ve come—and how excited I am for what’s next.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Danielle Derois, and I’m the owner and artist behind Old Soul Creatives, a mobile paint-and-sip business. I host monthly classes around town, along with private parties, special events, and one-on-one lessons—essentially taking art wherever people want to gather.

I’m also a stay-at-home mom, and building this business has given me the incredible gift of flexibility. I get to be present for my kids, show up for all their big and little moments, and still create an income and a future for my family. That balance is at the heart of why I started Old Soul Creatives in the first place.

Even though I’ve only been in business for about two and a half years, it feels like things have grown at lightning speed. I’m still very much in the “learning as I go” phase—finding my rhythm, figuring out what works, and staying open to new opportunities—but the momentum has been both humbling and exciting.

What really makes Old Soul Creatives special, though, is that I don’t just sell art classes—I bring myself into every room. I pour my personality, humor, and warmth into every event. My goal is to make people feel comfortable, welcomed, and brave enough to try something new. Even those who say, “I’m not creative,” usually leave surprised by what they made—and that’s my favorite part of all.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Without hesitation—my husband. He has always been my biggest supporter and believed in me long before I fully believed in myself. He saw the potential, the passion, and the possibilities even when I was still doubting and figuring things out.

He’s the one who consistently scaffolds me—offering encouragement, grounding me when I feel overwhelmed, and stepping in to handle all the behind-the-scenes details that us art junkies tend to avoid, like tech issues and taxes. Having someone who supports both the creative and practical sides of building a business has made all the difference. His belief gave me the confidence to keep going until I could finally see it too.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the most defining wounds of my life was the unexpected passing of my father in 2021. Losing him changed me in ways I couldn’t have imagined—and, in many ways, it became the beginning of everything I do now.

In my grief, I found art. Or maybe art found me. Creating became a form of therapy, a place where I could pour everything I didn’t yet have words for. Painting was a healing balm for the heaviness I was carrying, and slowly, it gave me a way to breathe again.

Over time, that healing turned into something bigger. I didn’t just turn my grief into a business—I turned it into connection. Grief taught me empathy. It taught me how to truly see people, how to sit with them in their emotions, and how to create spaces where others feel safe to be vulnerable too.

Grief never really goes away, but having an outlet like art—and being able to share that with others—has helped me carry it with more grace. Through creativity and community, I’ve found healing, meaning, and a deeper way to connect with the world.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes—and no. The version of me people see in my classes is absolutely rooted in who I really am: warm, welcoming, a little sarcastic, and very invested in making people feel comfortable. I use humor to help people relax and open up, because art can feel intimidating and vulnerable. When people feel at ease, they’re more willing to take creative risks—and that’s when the magic happens.

I don’t run my classes like stiff, technical workshops. I see them more as social experiences—spaces where people can laugh, let loose, and enjoy being creative together. So yes, I’m being myself… but I also turn the volume up a little. I “ham it up” to create an atmosphere that’s fun, inviting, and memorable.

That said, after a full day of teaching, I definitely need to recharge. Being “on” for a room full of people takes energy, even when you love what you do. Finding that balance between showing up fully for others and taking care of myself has been an ongoing learning curve—but it’s one I’m grateful for.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope I’m remembered as someone who was genuinely kind and real. As cliché as that sounds, I think that’s what matters most—that you put good into the world, that you showed up with love, and that what you gave came back in the form of connection, laughter, and light.

More than anything, I want my boys, Max and Remy, to remember me as a mom who showed up for them. A mom who was present, who was fun, who didn’t take herself too seriously, and who made them feel deeply loved.

I also hope I’m remembered as someone who built something out of nothing—who embraced chaos, followed her curiosity, and created a life that didn’t always make sense on paper but was full of heart. The kooky art lady who just wanted to make people smile, bring people together, and spread a little more joy through creativity. And honestly, I’d be pretty proud of that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oldsoulprescott.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/old_soul_creatives_prescott?igsh=MWJua2J5MTNuZ3R5YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AhdaiVcDq/?mibextid=wwXIfr