Accounting major begins Bible-painting business

“I started seeing many people hand-painting Bibles and I thought that I could use the talents God had given me to do the same thing,” sophomore Accounting major, Danika Brown, said.

Coming from the Central Valley, Brown loves painting and doing anything outside in her free time. Though only 19 years old, she has a created a small business online and around campus selling hand-painted Bibles.

Brown explained she tries to paint all her orders in one sitting. With each Bible taking four to six hours each, she utilizes much of her weekend to get them done.

“All the Bible’s are custom per order, so they are just as unique as the customer! Sometimes the customer will have an idea of what design they want as well,” Brown said.

Brown is very enthusiastic about the art she creates. Although she gains inspiration from other hand-painted Bibles on the internet, most of her artistic process is completely original. Using acrylic paints and special paint sealers, her way of creating her art shows that she wants the special, one-of-a-kind Bible to last the customer a long time. Her recent hobby gives the customer the freedom to create whatever design they want.

Starting her business in December, Brown began marketing her products on social media.

With over a thousand followers on her Instagram page, it was not a surprise that she was able to gain popularity and grow a small business successfully. And, although she has only sold a handful of Bibles around campus, she hopes to sell more as time goes on.

As she continues her academic career at Vanguard, she is not quite sure what she wants to do in the future.

“With my major, I plan on doing private accounting, but I’m not 100 percent sure what that looks like yet. Any plans I try to make, I try to hold on with open hands,” Brown said.

In pursuing a Religion minor, she hopes she can more navigate the principles that will make her successful.

“Accounting has a lot to do with ethics and morals, and so I think that having a Religion minor will help my clients see that I can be trusted with their money,” Brown explained.

Although she does not know what the future holds, Brown holds onto her favorite verse Psalm 23:6, which reads, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Brown uses this verse constantly as a reminder to herself.

“It is so encouraging to know that goodness and mercy will pursue me and in that I will find rest in his presence,” Brown said.

Brown is excited about where this journey is  taking her. She explained that to order a bible, just to email her at danika.brown@vanguard.edu.