My Journey
My Journey
THE HUSTLE | Episode #2
"The Budding Artist"
Art and creativity have fueled me since a very young age. At age 9, I had artwork selected to be featured in a regional art show. I took advanced placement art courses in high school, winning many top accolades, including "Best of Show" two years in a row and was voted "Most Artistic" in my graduating class. I went on to study art in college, winning the "Annual Achievement in Art Award" in 2007 and received my first commission when the university purchased one of my pieces.
"An Idea Sparks"
Shortly after graduating college with degrees in both business and the fine arts, my dearest friend got engaged and I offered to make her invitations. With creativity driving me and no clear path to what comes next, my first business concept came to light...a custom design invitation studio. I went on a post grad sabbatical, researching and learning all there was to know about graphic design, invitations, and starting your own business. I became fascinated with invitations, they became my tiny mixed media works of art...purposeful graphic creations adorned with lace, ribbon and burlap.
"The Passion Builds"
The next decade was full of growth and development, both professionally and personally. I became engaged to my husband and launched Artsy Occasions the year we got married. My business took off and I opened a studio where I continued to grow as a graphic designer. Throughout those years, I won numerous industry awards and had my designs published in a book targeting design professionals worldwide on the latest trends in the stationery industry. Upon the growth of my business came the growth of my family. And that's when my focus began to shift. My heart doubled in size the moment my son was born. My priorities changed and I didn't want to miss a single moment of being a mom. And the year after my beautiful daughter was born, I decided it was time to shut down shop (well, not entirely, but the studio doors closed).
"The Graphic Designer"
I continued to work from home when I could, during nap times and late at night. The invitation business started to slow down, partially due to my lack of marketing and also due to the rise of Etsy and the customizable online box companies. I started doing logo designs for people that I knew and I had a pretty decent portfolio building so I decided to branch off into the corporate world as a freelance graphic designer and launched Holly K Design in 2019. And then covid happened and the wedding industry flatlined, along with my invitation company. I did what I could to promote the new business, but my focus still remained on being the primary caregiver to my children. I ran my business with minimal effort with just enough business coming in to pay the bills.
"The Year of Reflection"
Being a mother will always be my most important and rewarding job. But now my children are of school age and they are becoming less and less reliant on me (cue the tears). 2024 became the year of reflecting and wondering where I fit in the creative space now that I had more availability to work. 2024 also happened to be the year of many stressors...chasing down unpaid invoices, having a client actually stiff me, and I started losing my positive energy and creative spark. It became the year of second guessing my abilities as an artist and a business owner and my creativity became bogged down by the fear of not knowing when the next job will come in and if I was going to get paid. I began to ponder this next chapter of my life and started interviewing with different companies trying to figure out where I fit in. I was faced with the question...do I have what it takes to turn my business into a successful design company or do I sacrifice doing what I love to get a consistent paycheck with no worries or stressors that come with running a creative business?
"The Resurgence"
The answer to that burning question came to me in the beginning of 2025 when my son begged me to be a presenter for his schools' 3rd-5th grade S.T.E.A.M. assembly...because I "have a cool job." (Side note: I have an intense phobia of public speaking...more on that in a later post.) Of course I could not let my son down, so I faced my fears and agreed to do it. And I am so grateful I did! It was a gratifying experience for me, engaging those young minds and connecting with them on a creative level. I felt inspired and that's when I knew I had to keep doing what I love. I am a creative and there was no way I was going to sacrifice that. I walked out to my car that day feeling completely rejuvenated and had the answer I had been searching for.
"A Fresh Perspective"
So I went on another sabbatical, this time juggling family life and client work. But I had my spark back so it didn't matter how long it took, I was determined. I spent countless hours researching other successful design companies, reviewing new business models, conducting social media and marketing analyses, developing new processes, and I quickly realized how much I was underestimating myself as a creative. All of that gave me the confidence I needed to push my business to the next level.
"The Rebirth of HK"
Next came the fun part...the rebrand! It was time to flip the script and do for myself what I do for my clients - create a bold, thoughtful, and captivating brand identity that is impossible to ignore. I knew I should keep some brand familiarity so the script initials were a must. I decided to take on a more personal approach to my business so I wanted something fun and lighthearted. The rebrand became more than a visual refresh - it was a realignment of who I am, what I offer, and how I show up in the creative space. I sharpened my edges, fine-tuned my voice, and wrapped it all up in a new look that truly represents Holly K Design. The power to create is a gift that I am so incredibly grateful for and now I can confidently market my business and turn it into something remarkable.
