Written by Davidson College student, Trang Dang ‘27
Entrepreneurial drive and creative passion intersect beautifully in the story of Art by Ann.
As the Merchandise Director of Warner Hall, one of the unique Greek life associations – eating houses at Davidson College, and an artist with a heart full of purpose, Annelise Hawgood has been selling her artwork on Instagram for the past three years. But this year, with support from the Try It Fund and the Hurt Hub@Davidson, she took a major leap forward, officially forming Art by Ann as an LLC, opening an online store, and launching an art show at Summit Basecamp.
Annelise’s standout strength, and a key reason she became a Try It Fund recipient, is her remarkable initiative. She approached her business launch with a well-thought-out plan, from opening an LLC with a business bank account, obtaining a website domain, building out Shopify, buying framing and art materials, to developing content marketing strategies.
The funding continues to support her growing business, recently covering expenses for new business cards and art prints as she prepares for her upcoming gallery show in Cincinnati. Along the way, Annelise has learned the importance of embracing every step of the entrepreneurial process. “I understand that this takes time, but I want to prioritize my own agency in Art by Ann,” she shared. That’s exactly what she’s done, taking charge of her vision and building something that’s authentically hers.
And one of the most rewarding parts of this journey? Building self-confidence. “I’ve contemplated opening my own official business, but I was so daunted by the process; part of me thought it was reserved for business and finance majors,” Annelise admitted. Now, she’s not only seeing increased engagement and a growing follower base on Instagram, but she’s also expanding her offerings to include prints and stickers of her work.
Perhaps most meaningfully, the Try It Fund has given Annelise’s business the flexibility to give back to causes she believes in. Between donating her works for Student Government’s Asheville Hurricane Relief Fundraiser and Warner’s Red and Black Ball Fundraiser—supporting RAIN Carolina and Mwandi Mission Hospital—her art raised over $700 last year. “Just realizing this fills me up with so much gratitude and pride for my business,” Annelise reflected.
The Hurt Hub@Davidson is proud to support many student businesses that often begin as personal interests. When students build something close to their heart, they bring the passion, perseverance, and drive needed to create something lasting and impactful for the community.
Reflecting on this opportunity, Annelise shared, “Each step of this process has proved to be a labor of love, but I’ve also found fulfillment in knowing that I’m finally able to elevate my painting practice to a business.” With summer ahead, she’s excited to see what more she can accomplish with additional time to dedicate to her growing venture.
That’s the mission of the Try It Fund: empowering students to turn ideas into action, build confidence, and grow through trial, error, and success. If you are interested you can check out more of Annelise’s art by following her art Instagram account.
The Try It Fund has been made possible through generous support from the Charlie Hinnant ’72 Fund, Davidson alums, and other community sponsors. If you are a Davidson College student who is interested in exploring an idea we encourage you to apply! Applications open the first day of each semester and close at 10pm EST the last day of fall or spring break, depending on the semester.
