Meet Charles Ivy | CEO & Founder | Marketing Manager | Marketing Agent | Marketing Representative | Ranch Hand

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charles Ivy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charles, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My initial idea for EnvyInk started in 2008. I was a Graphic Designer, married, barely making ends with my salary. That said, I immensely enjoyed T-shirt art, which was the original business model. I painstakingly thought about a name for months, trying to develop something impactful. Then it came to me, EnvyInk, which originated from watching the 1995 movie “Seven” with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. I took “Envy” from the seven deadly sins and Ink for print ink. I was confident that people would buy and envy my T-shirts. Get it? I purchased the domain and started researching the business. Unfortunately, I soon discovered that the T-shirt industry is challenging to be popular. “Affliction” was a hot item at that time, along with a few others. Therefore, I completely abandoned the business model, and “EnvyInk” sat dormant until February 2021. In January 2021, I worked as an Art Director/Account Executive for a company out in California called “Car Media Group.” We were bombarded with creative for dealerships all across the USA. My close friend and boss, Haoie Luc, came to me and said we should capitalize on creative for Automobile Dealerships on demand. We quickly developed a business model to sell creative subscriptions, and as of April 26, 2021, EnvyInk, Inc. was born and filed with the state of Texas and the IRS. We quickly capitalized on the dealerships seeking quick, 24-7 turnaround time on their promotions to sell vehicles.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The big question of the career. My love for art started at a very early age. I was in kindergarten, and cars that were boxes with stick figures driving. My grandmother, Gertrude “GiGi” Ivy, was my number one fan and advocate to see that I explored the fine arts. I would spend the Summer with her in the towns of Texas. Locations Muldoon, TX, and Schulenburg, TX. We’d take trips to the library and pick up books about drawing and art. She was an artist/teacher/my grandmother but, above most, my 1st and only true best friend, and she inspired me. She would bring the pastels out, and we’d draw all day and afternoon and have hot tea while playing dominoes. She would always encourage me to draw; needless to say, I took it too far once, grabbed a box of mini lipsticks, and proceeded to color my whole face red with them. Mom and grandmother were not pleased and spent the entire afternoon putting Vaseline on my face to get the lipstick off. In high school, I found my favorite medium, acrylic oil paints; it taught me the lessons of layers and patience to build a unique painting that could speak to you on many levels.

What sets me apart from the rest is that I give over 100% when asked to accomplish something creative. However, there are downfalls to this mentality. The corporate world likes things to be accomplished last week, and time for perfection is limited. Direction and the process of too many hands in the kitchen can often make a beautiful design completely unbearable to me.

No, it was not easy. The term starving artist isn’t just a saying. It’s a lifestyle. I still live it to this day. At this beautiful age of 47, though, I could care less about money as I have found peace in being down and out sometimes. Things don’t work out all the time. I have learned that the challenges are still being overcome daily and will never be overcome. After you succeed in one hurdle, there is a new obstacle in front of you that will need a new approach.

Along the way, I have learned to try to stay on the beam and give myself some grace and time. Success is a double-edged sword; it can be significant or a black hole. One of the biggest lessons I have learned about creativity is that you cannot please everyone but offer an olive branch and some middle ground.

A little about me. I’ve battled mental health addiction and alcoholism for the better part of my life. I’m 47 and have only 18 years of experience living cleanly. Along the way, I have succeeded in burning my life down and chasing away everyone I have ever loved. My story is nothing special, and I often don’t see myself as a success. Currently, I am fighting for my life to survive in this world.

My business is under attack by another individual who wants to hinder my ability to do business under my name that I have incorporated because they are trying to trademark it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my friends visited the area, I would take them to the Ranch where I work as a Ranch Hand. We’d feed the horses, chickens, and the bulls. We’d set off down the road in Montogomery, TX, and visit local eating joints. There are some delicious taco stands around! Also, I would take them to my favorite sushi restaurant, made by authentic Japanese staff. We’d probably hit up a few AA meetings, get some clarity, go to some concerts, and enjoy the nightlife.

I’m simple regarding fun, interesting, exciting people, places, and things. I distance myself from metropolitan Houston. I spend most of my time in the Tomball area of downtown, exploring the city’s shops and foods. Montgomery County is quiet and peaceful in the Conroe area, and The Woodlands is where I would go for some nightlife, movies, concerts, and shenanigans with friends.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents, my sister and her family, and Crystal Sulzer, who stood by me when I was deep in my depression and falling apart with mental health, alcoholism, and the use of prescription pills.

Jimmy C, who is my mentor, helped me find Charles again. Jimmy showed me a process of living and suggested some tools that helped me clear my head of the fog and navigate life again by letting go and letting God take command.

A HUGH shoutout to another Mentor/Bossman/Friend, Sam M., an eighteen-year PBR two-time finalist and rancher who took a shot on me when I was down and out completely broke.
https://thejourneymancoffeeco.com/

I also thank Car Media Group Haoie L, CEO, and my friend/business partner for standing by my side and not abandoning me when I was a selfish individual to work with.
https://carmediagroup.com/

Website: https://envyink.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlesivy.2.0/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesivy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charles.ivy

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/envyink-tomball-3

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@charlesivy1

Other: https://charlesivy.com/
https://www.threads.net/@charlesivy.2.0

@charlesivy1

https://thejourneymancoffeeco.com/
https://www.tiktok.com/@thejourneymancoffeeco