Ellen Robinson is the catalyst for Inspire, located at 6503 Ferguson Street. She recently described the entrepreneurial path that guided her there.

"I have an English Journalism degree and worked in the corporate sector and have always had a desire to help people. I went back to school and earned a SPEA (Masters in Public and Environmental) degree from Indiana University and thought about social work, but really felt I was meant for behind-the-scenes non-profit work," she mentioned.

"My first non-profit job was at Big Brothers and Big Sisters in fund raising. I worked for about 12 years in the non-profit sector and was most recently the Executive Director of the Lawrence Township School Foundation (LTSF). About seven years ago, I went through a leadership program in which I got to create visions for my life. One of my visions was to inspire people through creative expression. I see now that this was the thought seed that has grown into Inspire today. What I have learned from classes, many mentors and teachers and personal life experience is that words are very powerful. Our thoughts are like seeds that we plant. . . they are energy. And whenever we put energy out, it comes back to us as opportunities, or doorways, to step into the thought or vision they we have created. The process is one of setting our intention and then letting go of what we think needs to happen next. . . it is letting go of the mental constructs that can sometimes confine us. Looking back, I can clearly see that once I put out the vision of inspiring people through creative expression, doors began to present themselves to me in response to my intention. For instance, I was jogging on the Monon Trail one day and these poems or words would come to me. I knew these words were important and I would rush home to record them on the computer before they disappeared from my consciousness. A little while later I was working with a career coach who encouraged me to paint. I was resistant at first, but once I started painting, a feeling of great freedom came over me. I had a mental construct that 'I don't paint.' Once I let that go, I opened myself to new possibilities. My daughter, who was two years old at the time, was painting in our sunroom when my sister happened to be there and noticed she was painting a faux finish. I did not even know what a faux finish was and my sister explained it is a layer on top of a layer. I realized then that I could paint the words . . . today, pieces (words) of those poems are now in my greeting cards and paintings. A little while later, the same coach called me and asked when I would get those canvases made into greeting cards as she knew that was a passion of mine. She gave me three names to call and from those I connected with a printer (Steve Moore of Delp Printing) who told me that he would create digital samples free of charge if I returned to have them color printed," Ms. Robinson explained.

Her creative discovery led to new possibilities. "I went to (former Broad Ripple business) Ginko and they put out my (card) samples to be sold that very day. They wanted to see my original canvases, too and began to sell those for me as well. After that, I got my cards into seven or eight stores locally. At the LTSF, I felt my purpose there was complete and it was time for me to move on. I created and conducted Inspire Your Life workshops in my home in early 2012 and received feedback that these were valuable to the participants. I feel as if I've received a gift through this and really want to share what I've learned. One class in particular through the United Centers for Spiritual Living gave me the logical tools with which to share with others, what I had known and experienced. We are all inherently creative because at any time, we can choose a new thought that can change the trajectory of our lives. This is a cornerstone concept for my workshops as well as Inspire as a whole," she reflected.

Inspire's clients originate from all walks of life. "I work with young people. An 11-year old celebrated her birthday here and I worked with a retiree on certain aspects of her life. Her vision was to find the creator that was lost and is still there. I create this safe space where people can be who they are. I want people to have the freedom to shine. It's healthy to occasionally examine our beliefs to see if they truly are our beliefs, or if they are mental constructs handed down from our family and/or society. If we determine that the belief no longer holds true for us, it is okay to let it go," she emphasized.

Her inspiration to help others goes beyond categorization. "Labels don't define me. I see myself as an intrinsic living guide, learning to live from the inside out - a guide and a catalyst. I work with people individually and in groups, both in the studio and on location. I don't teach people to paint, but provide the canvass for them to express the creativity that is inherent in all of us. The Inspire Studio is available to book for team building, workshops and/or Girls' Night Out. A woman who does local team building recently had a group spend the day at Inspire. There was an open house in late November featuring a holiday market with local artists, designers and creators. On New Year's Eve, individuals painted and enjoyed a glass of champagne," she recalled.

Inspire's retail area provides a creative outlet for local and regional artists. "My sister, Marianne Brown, makes pottery and Ryan VanHoy, who is my cousin, whose studio is in Fountain Square, also has pottery available for sale in the store. Greenwood, Indiana native Brandi Cottingham has whimsical paintings for sale," she added. Among Ms. Robinson's artistic finds are some works from Z-Pots and V-Goods. Inspire Store and Studio hours are Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and by chance - just look for the sign inviting you in to Paint, Shop and Be Inspired. Individuals can show up during these hours to shop as well as paint a canvas for just $15. Events this month include a Numerology Reading Chart Class on Sunday, February 9 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., a Numerology Basics Class on Sunday, February 23 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and a SoulCollage Workshop on Thursday, February 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. More classes are listed at www.elleninspires.com/events and other information is available by calling 201-1399. A recent I LOVE February Party occurred February 1, which precedes Inspire's first anniversary opening of March 1st.

"I do workshops and classes. Joni Hansen is my mentor and teacher in Nashville, Indiana. I do numerology one on one with people and in workshops. Painting du Coeur (French for "Painting of the heart") is a 6-week class that runs through February 12. On March 4, a Painting Mandalas, Journey of Self Discovery, class begins. We're going to be painting Mandalas (Sanskrit meaning "A sacred circle.") A mandala can be as simple as a child's circle. There are 12 stages of mandala development that mirrors the stages of spiritual evolvement. I also create custom workshops for individuals, work teams, teachers or groups of friends," she described.

The allure of a historic location was calling her. "I love Broad Ripple and also had this thing about Mass Ave. I had found a space there that I really loved, but it wasn't moving. My husband Tim and I were driving through Broad Ripple on New Year's Day in 2013 and saw the space that Inspire currently inhabits today. We parked the car and looked in the window. I knew it was where Inspire was supposed to be. I called the number that was listed on the sign that very minute. Two days later, my husband and I met John and Nancy Hill to see the space. It was serendipity. I've truly learned that when I am holding onto something tightly, figuratively; emotionally, I am not allowing that other thing to come in - this was the case with finding the space in Broad Ripple. Through the journey of Inspire, I have learned so much and intend to keep evolving and growing with it," she concluded.

Ellen Robinson can help you open that creative door that she has discovered at Inspire in Broad Ripple Village.