Dori
Desautel Broudy always loved drawing. Growing up it was one of her favorite
hobbies. Through college, she created her family’s annual Christmas card.
Yet,
Desautel Broudy, of Haverford, never focused on attending art school. The
native New Englander knew she wanted to become a lawyer and play soccer in
college.
“I
took quite a respite from illustration for years,” Desautel Broudy said, adding
that she took five bar exams the first six years she was practicing to receive law
licenses in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut.
“Between 90-hour work weeks and studying and life as an attorney I didn’t have
a lot of free time.”
After
practicing law for 10 years, Desautel Broudy took a 10-year reprieve to raise
her three children. During that time, her kids began showing an interest in art.
That
and other “signs from the universe” told her it was time to transition the
hobby to a profession. In 2018, she founded the Gallery of Good®?, through which she donates a portion of every art purchase
to a charity. To date, she has donated time, artwork and funds, and developed
special collections for more than 24 nonprofits worldwide, including recently
raising over $100,000 for the Abramson Cancer Center.
Committed
to local, Desautel Broudy works with Philadelphia-area vendors on the design
and production of her “joyful and celebratory” pieces, enabling her to support
as many women-owned, black-owned and minority-owned small businesses as
possible.
Seeking
to continue expanding her reach beyond the City of Brotherly Love, Desautel
Broudy sought guidance last fall from SCORE Bucks County mentor Steve Wolfson in
scaling up her business. She and Wolfson meet weekly to strategize day-to-day
business operations. He’s also helped the artist create a business plan, a
budget and pitch for funding, as well as building the team needed to delegate
responsibilities that she had solely been undertaking, including accounting,
bookkeeping and taxes.
Before owning his own company, Wolfson had
started 15 businesses for major companies.
“He’s
got such strong business acumen in addition to the years of experience,” she
said, adding that he has helped with prioritizing tasks. “Steve has been such a
critical advisor for me. We really think out loud about what kinds of
businesses are best suited to sell my work. We’re very deliberate about
identifying businesses that I should approach.”
Most
recently, Desautel Broudy’s fine stationery is available for purchase in the
Constitution Center gift shop. Her colorful, cheery creations – available also
as canvas and acrylic block – are sold in 20-25 stores nationally, including Di
Bruno Bros. Four Seasons Hotel licensed her original “LOVE” artwork for World
Kindness Day. Her “first big break” came when the Pennsylvania Academy of the
Fine Arts began selling her artwork in its museum store.
“I
want to make sure that I’m aligning myself with like-minded businesses,”
Desautel Broudy said. “The story behind artwork is almost as important, if not
as important, as the artwork itself. They’re buying art, but they’re also
buying the artist.”
Wolfson
is confident that together they can help continue the business’ expansion.
“She
is gaining customers at a manageable pace every week,” he said. “Dori is a real
pro at selling face to face with her sophisticated line of artwork. She is an
excellent client to work with now and in the future and is creating a brand of
success.”
As she
also focuses on licensing opportunities, selling her work in more tourist
attractions, and increasing direct-to-consumer sales online, Desautel Broudy
said she does not miss practicing law because she never feels as if she stepped
away from it.
“My
husband’s a lawyer and so many of my friends are lawyers. I’m using my legal
background so much more as an artist and a mother,” she said. “I like the ways
in which I’m able to exercise those muscles and not work the 90-hour weeks.”
Her
focus is on creating works which organically emphasize kindness, respect and
inclusivity and to advocate for others in her own creative way.
“Everything
I make is a projection of me as a parent,” she said. “Kids these days are
confronted with so many things I never had to navigate at their age. All I want
is for them to live in a happier, healthier place. Every piece has that
intention behind it.”
About
SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each
year, SCORE provides small business mentoring and workshops to more
than 375,000 new and growing small businesses.?With more than 70 members across Bucks and Eastern Montgomery
counties, SCORE Bucks?County?provides over 4,300 free mentoring services
annually to local small business owners
through one-on-one counseling and small business seminars. To stay up to date on news and happenings,
join SCORE Bucks County’s email list. Text
SCOREBUCKS to 22828.
