Freshman year of college it hit me pretty hard that I learned very differently than all of my traditionally book-smart friends. I was great at doing busy-work for school, but when it came to retaining boring information that I didn’t care about or writing 10-page papers, I was totally lost. I ended up being the kid who brought a 64-pack of crayons (with the sharpener of course) to the library to draw out my notes in order to *hopefully* form facts to memory visually.
However, once I started taking a graphic design class and an intro to drawing class, it finally felt
like I found my calling. Homework didn’t feel like a chore anymore and I loved being able to create something from scratch and feel proud of the final product. I spent all semester learning graphic design and building up a portfolio to submit to the design department and officially declare it as my major.
Needless to say, I was crushed when my portfolio was rejected and I was told that I should major in drawing and painting instead (because that’s what I was *naturally* good at).
It was that moment that I decidedI was going to become a graphic designer one way or another—
with or without a degree in graphic design.
I did end up majoring in drawing and painting instead because I loved it as well, but at the end of the day, I knew graphic design was where I’d actually be able to make money someday. I was able to still minor in graphic design so I was able to take a few more classes, however, it was outside of class where I really applied myself to learn what I needed to know to become a successful graphic designer.
Within just 4 months of graduating, I landed a lead graphic design position at a print and design agency where I worked and learned more than I thought possible in just a year's time.
From there, I went and worked as an in-house designer at a corporate company where I hated the cubicle work life and I knew I needed to find a way out. Coincidentally, the company went through three rounds of layoffs just a few months later where I was finally let go. It was from then on that I decided I was officially going to be my own boss. I had learned graphic design on my own and I knew I could figure out how to run a business the same way.
By the fall of 2015, I officially became a full-time freelancer and since, have built a 6-figure graphic design agency where I’ve been able to work with 100+ clients, the largest being Walmart.
Because of the unconventional journey that got me where I am today, I’ve made it my mission to teach others how I do what I do. Through…
Online Courses
Free Trainings
Webinars
Business Consulting
Blog Posts
and Workbooks
I want to help as many aspiring graphic designers and freelancers as possible build the creative life they desire, as unconventional as it may be. And I 100% believe that anyone who wants it bad enough can get there.
I’m living proof that graphic design isn’t a skill you need to be naturally gifted at in order to do it professionally. If you learn to focus on the RIGHT things, you too can be right where I am someday! I love my job and I’m forever grateful that I get to do what I do. I want nothing more than to help you, in any way I can, reach your graphic design goals too!