‘Real dream’: How artist created successful six-figure start-up

A former Toowoomba artist has opened up about how living in the Garden City shaped her and assisted in the creation of a successful business, which went from generating a zero to six figure profit in 12 months. Find out how she did it here.

Growing up in Toowoomba, Kristin Rubie has vivid memories of playing in the Japanese gardens near her Darling Heights home, drawing pictures of surrounding nature scapes and flicking through her mum’s art portfolio.

While the influence of her surroundings were poignant in her artistic inspirations, no moment was more defining in her creative journey than when she received an award for one of her artworks at the age of five at the Toowoomba City Town Hall.

“Toowoomba was very much my home and always will be,” she said.

“Having access to such an incredibly beautiful garden was a real dream, and it had a huge impact on the way that I see the world.

“Living in a regional area gives kids opportunities that they don’t have in the major cities to be a little freer and have a greater connection with nature.”

Former Toowoomba resident and artist Kristin Rubie opens up about how she turned her start-up Haven Prints into a successful business. Picture: Grace Smith – Sunbox Studios

As the shy and introverted child grew into a teen, her love of art continued to develop under the guidance of her art teacher Leonie McCulkin at St Ursula’s College.

Ms Rubie said as a high school student, her mentor had supported her to initiate artwork from the school’s students at Town Hall, which later became an annual tradition.

Her art teacher also assisted Ms Rubie to submit an application for a Queensland Government grant which was approved and allowed students to create a sculpture in the college courtyard.

“Mrs McCulkin told us that being an artist is a way of (showing how) you see the world … I ended up graduating at the top of my class for art, and it is still one of my proudest achievements,” Ms Rubie said.

“My favourite art period was the Pre-Raphaelites – I remember saving up to buy a huge framed print of Sir John Everett Millais’ Ophelia, which my parents still have at their house in Toowoomba.”

Former Toowoomba resident and artist Kristin Rubie opens up about how she turned her start-up Haven Prints into a successful business. Picture: Grace Smith – Sunbox Studios

Ms Rubie went on to study fine art at the University of Southern Queensland, before turning her attention to business and marketing.

After working in the corporate world for 15 years, Ms Rubie was experiencing burn-out and felt estranged from her creative roots.

Determined to take her artistic abilities to new heights, the artist opened Haven Prints and started selling her own original illustrations and design works in 2022.

Within 12 months, the former Toowoomba woman’s business went from generating zero to six figures.

Specialising in contemporary art, Ms Rubie sells pieces depicting Australian flora, tranquil vibes and natural, earthy tones.

“It’s been a whirlwind year, and for some it might seem like an overnight success, but it’s really been 40 years in the making,” she said.

“For me the best achievement so far has been the connection that I’ve made with the beautiful souls who have chosen to hang my artwork in their homes.

“It’s such a privilege, and I just love connecting with them and hearing their stories and what the artwork means to them.”

Former Toowoomba resident and artist Kristin Rubie opens up about how she turned her start-up Haven Prints into a successful business. Picture: Grace Smith – Sunbox Studios

In 2020, Ms Rubie relocated to Sydney with her husband soon after discovering they were pregnant with their second child and is now a loving mum of two.

The 40-year-old said art also served as a therapeutic outlet during Covid-19 as she was living in a new place and isolated from loved ones, while her husband worked long hours as a frontline worker.

While the successful artist currently works from home, she plans to open her own studio once her children start primary school.

Ms Rubie said her advice for aspiring young artists in Toowoomba was to limit their technology use, put music on and create freely with their mediums of choice.