Among the paints and sandpaper, stains and stencils, there was a sense of safety.
Lauren Ashby had discovered Board & Brush Creative Studio when she was in high school, spending time painting rustic home decor and landing a job with the company in her hometown of Crown Point.
Even after graduating school and enrolling in Purdue University, she’d often come back on weekends.
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“They want you to feel like you’re at home,” said Ashby, 21. “It was my home away from home.”
Ashby wants to recreate that same comfortable atmosphere now that she owns her own Board & Brush workshop. She and her boyfriend, Max Huebler, 22, are the new owners of the Greenwood do-it-yourself home decor workshop. Even as she approaches her final semester of college, she is already preparing for life after graduation.
Greenwood’s Board & Brush location opened in 2018, and Ashby and Huebler purchased the business in December. They have spent the past month cleaning, painting and preparing for the public to once again express their creativity through art.
“We love running the classes, hanging out with the customers, helping them make signs that they can take home and pass down to their children and grandchildren,” Ashby said.
Stepping through the doors of Board & Brush’s workshop in Old Town Greenwood, visitors are greeted by a myriad of folksy and fashionable wall hangings meant to inspire guests.
A faded compass rose adorns one board, with the message, “Always take the scenic route” written in flowing script. Another sign boasts the Bible verse from Psalm 46:10 — “Be still and know.” Decorations suitable for Christmas, football season, Halloween and other special occasions come in a variety of sizes, styles and designs.
Long paper-covered work tables fill the spacious workshop, where groups can spread out and create their own wall hanging from a wide variety of designs. Wall signs are the main focus on the studio, but people can design everything from porch planters to clocks to coat racks.
“You register online, and then we have over 500 designs to choose from. Then you can add your own personalization to it,” Ashby said. “You come in, all the materials are laid out for you, and we get you through the process.”
Since taking ownership of the location in December, Ashby and Huebler have spent much of their winter break from Purdue getting the studio ready for customers. They painted walls and the floors, and touched up some of the decor and wall hangings.
“We’ve been off of school, so we could do a lot of renovating and re-imagining what we want this place to look like,” Huebler said. “We hope to finish that part before school starts again, and then once school starts, we’ll make a lot of trips back and forth.”
Ashby was introduced to the Board & Brush concept when she started working at the Crown Point location at age 15. Even back then, she saw herself owning one of the studios someday.
At Purdue, she’s worked towards her degree in finance, which she’ll accomplish this May. She met Huebler, a southside Indy native, who was studying supply chains. Together, their education provides an ideal foundation for starting their own business.
They have practical experience as well. Two years ago, Ashby started her own sports apparel company, Tailgate Clothes by Lo. The venture was born during Purdue’s run to the Elite Eight in the 2019 NCAA tournament. She and Huebler traveled to Louisville to see the Boilermakers play Virginia.
Ashby wanted to wear something nicer than a t-shirt, but not as formal as a dress. So she designed her own denim jacket.
“Someone basically bought it off my back. Then I made a couple more and they sold, and it just went from there,” she said.
After applying for a Purdue Crafter’s License that allowed her to sell merchandise with the school’s name, she started offering up t-shirts, jackets, skirts and other items. In addition to Purdue, she features clothing for Indiana University, Michigan State University and Crown Point, as well as fraternities and sororities.
All of this has led to Board & Brush, which has more than 250 franchise locations across the U.S. Last year, she learned through her connections at the company that the Greenwood studio was for sale.
“I work for Carrier Corp. too, so I was going to move to Indy. (Max) is from here, and we love Greenwood. So we wanted to give it a try,” she said.
In moving into the studio space in Old Town Greenwood, Ashby and Huebler are excited to be at the heart of a city that is poised for growth.
“It really reminds me of downtown Crown Point where I grew up. All of the sudden it skyrocketed, and now it’s a pretty nice city,” Ashby said. “I see that potential in Greenwood, and we’re glad to be a part of it.”
Board & Brush hosts an open house event from 1 to 4 p.m. today, featuring gift bags for the first 30 people to arrive, coupons for all who attend and the chance to win a VIP sign-making party.
To prepare for the opening, Ashby and Huebler have been active on social media reaching out to the community.
“We’ve been reaching to people and asking them to share on Facebook,” “Once we are all ready, we’re really looking forward to working with local businesses to do events and collaborate with them.”
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Board & Brush Creative Studio
What: A do-it-yourself wood sign and home decor art workshop
Where: 200 W. Main St., Greenwood
Owner: Lauren Ashby
Grand opening: 1 to 4 p.m. today. Gift bags will be available for the first 30 guests, coupons will be given to all who attend, and attendees will have the chance to win a private VIP sign-making party for six.
Information: boardandbrush.com/greenwood or Facebook.com/boardandbrushgreenwoodin.
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