Today we’d like to introduce you to Steffi Lynn Tsai.
Hi Steffi Lynn, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi! I’m Steffi Lynn! I’m a Taiwanese American artist, illustrator, muralist and a small biz owner with a shop in Austin! I started by just loving to draw, craft and create things growing up. Over time turned that into a career where I, now get to paint murals, design products, and work with brands I admire. I run my own brand called Have a Nice Day that’s all about colorful, motivating art, and I co-own a retail space called Roommate Collective in East Austin that carries gifting goods, accessories, and home products. A lot of my work is inspired by nature, color, and encouraging messages from day to day interactions! I really just love making things that brighten people’s day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a completely smooth road, but I think that’s just part of building anything from the ground up. When I first started, it was tough figuring out how to balance making art I loved while actually making a living off of it. I also had a lot of trial and error, because I did everything by myself and there was not as many resources in the past like there is now. There were a lot of moments where I questioned if I was doing the right thing or if it was even sustainable. Being a small business owner also means wearing a lot of hats that I had to learn how to wear over time- from marketing to shipping to content creating and managing finances. Things I didn’t really realize would take up so much time outside of just creating. It’s been a lot of figuring it out as I go, but every challenge has pushed me to learn, adapt, be a problem solver and find new ways to keep growing while staying true to what I love.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a muralist, illustrator, and small business owner specializing in hand lettering! I would say, most of my work focuses on colorful, uplifting designs meant to make people feel good. In my creative pie chart, I split my time between murals, brand collaborations, and products like prints, accessories, and home goods through my brand Have a Nice Day.
I’m probably best known for my murals highlighting encouraging phrases and sayings that motivate and inspire people.
What I’m most proud of is being able to build a creative career that’s true to who I am, while making work that feels accessible and joyful for a lot of different people. I think what sets me apart is the balance between heartfelt messaging and playful, vibrant visuals. I really try to make art that feels like a small reminder that you’re not alone — because that’s what I’ve needed too.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think curiosity and adaptability have been the biggest factors in my success. I’m always excited to learn new skills, try new ideas, and figure challenges out as I go. I think being a problem solver is really important in industries like this. Whether it’s tackling a huge mural, running a small biz, or experimenting with new products, being open to change and not being afraid to pivot when needed has helped me keep growing and finding new opportunities!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.itshaveaniceday.com or www.steffilynn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haveanicedayy_
