It was the year I turned 30 and I for whatever insane reason had quit my corporate job to paint furniture for a living. 

Now if you're reading this and saying that sounds ridiculous well you aren't wrong and your judgment is even justified. I'd even go as far as to say that you have the gift of discernment. 

It was an impulsive decision that I had made on a whim while navigating the trenches of PMDD that ultimately changed my life for the better. Forever. That's a story for another day however. 

 Months later, I was trying yet another brand of chalk paint and for whatever insatiable reason it was another disappointment.

Maybe it was the headache creeping in or the gritty texture... or maybe the color I chose was crowding my judgment, but something about it looked off. Too vivid. Not as warm as I'd hoped and color aside and even paint outside... the waxing process that came next made me want to abandon the entire project and exit stage left.

And sometimes that's exactly what I did.

8 chalk paints later, I had given up hope that there was a paint out there for me. But then I stumbled onto Annie Sloan chalk paints and loved them. But they didn't love me back. The chronic headache that I was getting after using them, soon ruled Annie Sloan Chalk Paints out of the equation for me. I was devastated because all of the other brands I had tried, didn't even come close. 

I continued my search trying brand after brand, each of them failing to meet my criteria... which had somehow only gotten even more picky over time. 

I think the real issue is is that I knew exactly what I wanted. I just couldn't find it. 

I think it was after I returned home that day but I gave up on trying to find what I was looking for. Besides, it didn't seem to exist.

Because what I was looking for wasn't actually chalk paint at all. I was looking for sea mineral paints. They just didn't exist yet.

I was looking for paints that dried in a far shorter time.

I was looking for a paint that had coverage that didn't make me want to cry.

I was looking for paints with low VOC, low odor so that I could paint in my living room in peace while my toddler ran circles around me in the comfort of my home. I was tired of having my nose holes hijacked while I was attempting to get into a creative flow state.

And I was tired of the waxing process. Not to mention the way the wax smelled. I'm admittedly nose sensitive so I know the problem was with me, but it didn't make my problem go away. 

Until one dark evening in my kitchen, it finally did.

The mixture I had created on my kitchen countertops after countless previous attempts was finally smooth and creamy. Rich and pigmented. When it brushed on smooth as silk, I let out an audible gasp. The coverage was remarkable.

While I waited for that coat to dry, I pulled out a few brands that I still had on hand to do a side-by-side comparison.

The difference in coverage and texture made my eyes widen.

And in the next moment, for some bizarre reason, I reach out to touch that first board that I had just painted only a few minutes before. To my surprise, as my fingertip touches the surface, I let out another gasp. Not because my hand is covered in wet goo, but because the fresh coat of paint on the board is already dry. 

Only seven minutes had gone by.

What kind of magical potion is this?

This is the moment where I remember finally feeling satisfied.

Still pleasantly surprised, my curiosity peaks. Result begin testing the paint on everything. Wood, metal, plastic, clay, and even myself.

Pure joy washed over me as it stuck to everything.

Without sanding.

Without priming.

And without my nose holes being violated by the ghastly smell coming from a paint can.

But it's in the next moment that I feel like I might cry. You see, it wasn't that long ago that I thought I'd have to give up painting completely. Lately, my migraines had been getting worse and worse any time I opened  a jar or can of paint. It was devastating to think that I could lose this hobby that had been so very good for me.

Painting was more than a DIY project to me. It was my therapy. Where I processed my thoughts. Where I expressed creativity. Where I found a few moments of peace in my day.

And now, standing in my kitchen surrounded by my little science experiment... I realize that I don't have to give up painting after all. I just have to make my own paint.

So I did.

It's the year 2015. I affectionately name it SeaSpray, as a nod to the sea minerals I made it with, and my love for the beach....but for reasons I won't explain here, I soon had to change the name. 

Today, the product goes by the name SeaPaints... they're the only sea mineral paints on the market. I went on to revamp that formula and as a result, I now have a paint that:

Dries in 3 minutes

Is virtually odorless

Feels soft to the touch

Is easy to distress

Is easy to blend various techniques

And relaxing to use

As of today, we've sold over a million jars. But that's another story...I'll save it for a different day. Until next time...