News
January 16th, 2026, Newsletter
Hi, and welcome to 2026 at Nico Scout!
If you’ve been around for a while, you’ve probably noticed that the shop has been slowly shifting. After a few quiet months on the newsletter front, I wanted to check back in and share where things have landed. Over the past few years, as retail and buying habits drastically changed, I began reworking the space by scaling back retail and adding two new components to better support the business long term and create more sustainable revenue streams.
Today, Nico Scout exists as a hybrid space: a small, curated retail area (now focused on houseplants and art books), a workshop table for gatherings and events, and a studio where I work directly with businesses and individuals on branding, creative direction, and strategy. All three live under the same roof and inform one another. (Phew! That was a no joke business move, and I’m still sweating a bit as it all begins to fall into place.)
The studio work has grown into the core of what I do day-to-day and honestly, where I do my strongest work. I partner with businesses and brands to build visual identity systems across websites, branding, print, social, and physical spaces, leading projects from initial concept and strategy through design and full execution. My work is about translating an idea, a value system, or a vision into something clear, cohesive, and legible across every place a business or brand shows up. The studio supports projects both locally and remotely, from small collabs to full scope launches.
If you’re wondering how all of this fits like, “how does someone go from shopkeeper to creative director?!” it’s rooted in my background. I hold a BFA and a 4-year Studio Art Diploma from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Tufts University, completed an accredited academic year at Harvard University’s Extension School, and trained through Boston University’s Design Certificate program and Penland School of Craft. Before opening the shop, I spent years teaching & mentoring, holding two state teaching licenses, and working across education and design settings, building community based programming, with brand focused mentorship growing alongside the shop over time.
Add in more than seven years of running a brick-and-mortar and online shop, and this studio work is less a pivot and more the natural next step of everything I’ve been building.
As the studio continues to take focus heading into 2026, I’m opening space for new projects beyond the word-of-mouth work I’ve typically taken on. If you’re curious about the studio work or feel this kind of creative support could be helpful, I take on a small number of clients at a time and am always happy to see if it’s a good fit. Anyone can reach out directly at hello@shopnicoscout.com or fill out the form on the website. No need to be shy!
Looking forward to hearing from you,
and cheers as we enter 2026,
Amber
Nico Scout
