Behind the Brand: From Teacher to Web and Brand Designer

Hey there, wonderful readers! It’s about time I properly introduce myself. I’m Tiara, the creative force behind Mist and Mauve Studio. Today, I want to chat with you about my journey – how I went from a hopeful graphic designer to a dedicated elementary school teacher, and eventually found my true calling as a web and brand designer.

Unpredictable Beginnings

Back when I stepped into college, I had my heart set on a graphic design major and dreams of becoming a web designer. But as I delved into my graphic design courses, I quickly realized there was a lot more drawing involved than I had initially imagined. Don’t get me wrong; I had some artistic talent, but the amount of drawing assignments and the pressure of design critiques made me think twice.

The cost of art supplies and the anxiety of “design critique days” made me reevaluate my career path. That’s when I decided to pursue elementary education. I genuinely enjoyed being a teacher, especially working with my adorable little students year after year.

A TikTok Revelation

One day, while scrolling through TikTok, I stumbled upon a video by Becca Luna, a web designer who talked about her career and income. She inspired me with her words, emphasizing that web design was a skill that required practice and dedication but was achievable for anyone willing to put in the effort. It was then that I had an epiphany: my true calling should have been web design from the start. What a silly oversight that was!

Pursuing Web Design

Fueled by my newfound passion, I jumped headfirst into researching the skills needed to become a web designer. Landing my first client was an amazing experience, and it opened the door to many more opportunities, allowing me to refine my skills through real-world projects. With time, I grew more confident in my process and abilities.

The Missing Piece: Branding

But something felt incomplete. I realized that to offer the complete design package, I needed to venture into branding, a field that had always intimidated me. However, as they say, “Face your fears,” and that’s exactly what I decided to do.

Finding Inspiration and Mentorship

My journey led me to discover talented designers like Kenzie Green and Megan Weeks, who weren’t just web designers but also brand designers. Megan was incredibly kind and helped me conquer my branding fears. Her guidance and expertise gave me the confidence to explore logo design, brand strategy, Adobe Illustrator, and more. I have taken Megan’s Course: Logo Design Simplified, and my next goal is to get into Kenzie Greens Design Biz Academy.

Balancing Two Worlds

Now, I proudly wear the hats of both web and brand designer, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about what lies ahead. At the moment, I continue to teach full time while running my design business on the side, and this balance is where I’ve found my true passion. Collaborating with fellow female entrepreneurs, sharing the business insights I’ve gathered along the way, and crafting stunning websites and brand designs that empower their businesses is incredibly rewarding.

Embracing the Learning Journey

I must emphasize that I’m still learning every day. I’ll never claim to have all the answers because my love for learning and personal growth will never stop.

A Friendly Reminder

If there’s one thing I’d like to leave you with, it’s this: Never let fear stand in the way of your dreams or goals. In my own life, I’ve started doing things I was once afraid of, and it’s been an amazing journey of personal and professional growth.

That’s my story, and I’d love to hear yours too! Please feel free to share your own journey and experiences with me. Remember, the path to your dreams may have unexpected twists and turns, but each step forward is a victory in itself.

If you’re a female entrepreneur and you feel empowered to meet your business goals, let’s work together! Click here to inquire about my services.

Want to hear a silly business mistake that I’ve made (that you could be making too)? Read about it here.