An Inspired Chat with Kelsey Reust of North Phoenix

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kelsey Reust. Check out our conversation below.

Kelsey, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Travel is what makes me lose track of time and truly find myself again. It’s where I recharge, rediscover my vision, and reignite the drive that fuels my creativity. Stepping away from work to explore new places is what my soul needs, and I always return with fresh energy and perspective. Remembering the stories of my past adventures inspires me and that’s why I channel that into artwork that captures those moments. My art is designed to do help both me and my customers hold onto and revisit our own journeys and adventures every day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Kelsey, the artist and owner behind Scenic Route Shop, where I create minimalist line art prints inspired by places, landmarks, adventures, and more. My background in architecture gave me a love for clean lines and thoughtful design, and now I use that to capture the beauty of mountains, skylines, and national parks in a simple yet meaningful way. What makes Scenic Route Shop special is that each piece is designed to help people remember the places and moments that make their journey unique. I hand-make everything in-studio, from drawing the original designs (no AI drawings here!) to the printing and packaging. Everything is handmade and can be personalized for your story.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed being an artist wasn’t a “real” or successful career and that I always needed to work for someone else. I thought success meant asking permission and following a set path. Over time, I’ve learned that building my own creative business is not only possible but deeply fulfilling. Now I trust my vision, take action first, and ask forgiveness later if needed. That shift has given me both freedom and confidence in my work.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Honestly, that time is right now. It’s a tough season to be an online business selling art, and things haven’t been going the way I hoped. But deep down, I know giving up isn’t the answer. Instead, I’m challenging myself to step outside of how Scenic Route Shop originally started and explore new ways to grow. My passion and creativity are still the heart of what I do, and I’m focused on finding fresh approaches that let those shine.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the art and online shop world is that “if your work is good enough, people will just find you.” The truth is, creativity alone doesn’t guarantee success. You have to put just as much effort into marketing, connection, strategy, and advertising. Another lie is that running a small art business is all about doing what you love every day. I hear people say “it must be nice to just draw every day.” While the creative side is my passion, the reality is that it takes wearing dozens of different hats to run Scenic Route Shop and very little of it is creating the actual drawings unfortunately.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely, I have to give everything my best, it’s just who I am. I don’t really know how to give less than 100% and push myself to excel. Now that I work for myself, most of what I do happens without praise. While the day-to-day can feel like a praise-less slog, it’s still something I love. Every so often there’s a success to celebrate, but ultimately I’m doing this for me. My hope is that my customers choose my drawings because they love them and see their own story in them. It’s meant to be artwork that celebrates their journey, not artwork that reflects me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ScenicRouteShop.com
• Instagram: @ScenicRouteShop
• Facebook: @ScenicRouteShop