Quitting scuba diving was a struggle for me in more ways than one. Firstly, my love for nature made me feel like I was turning against an inherent part of myself. Secondly, as a mom, I want to participate in activities with my kids. Once I moved past those hurdles, though, I realized there are so many things I can do with them that don’t compromise my boundaries. 

At heart, I’ve always been an artist, dabbling in all things related to the arts since I was a kid. I taught myself calligraphy and portraiture. Being creative was second nature to me. I had this intrinsic desire to create, but as a child and throughout my adolescence, I only thought of it as a hobby. When high school rolled around, I took art classes. My teacher told my mom I should consider an artistic career after graduation. Knowing it could be a legitimate pursuit sparked something within me.

Spring is a time of renewal, and with that comes new endeavors, projects, and chapters. I’m thrilled that this spring opened the double doors to a significant new chapter. Drum roll, please … my husband and I are property owners! We now proudly own Sundeck Cottages on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

If one organization elevates young women and provides resources to ensure their success, it’s the Women’s Impact Alliance. I jumped at the chance to help them with their branding, as their mission profoundly resonates with me. Thanks to my favorite boss from the past bringing me into the fold, I not only did the branding for WIA, but I got to collaborate with him again.

It’s been a minute since I updated everyone about my projects. I’ve been keeping busy, and April is proving fruitful on that front. I have a few new projects on deck. Here’s what I’ve been up to lately.

This Fast Company piece dives deep into what the layoffs mean for graphic designers and where they might go. As reported in the article, Daniel Wert of Wert & Co., a bi-coastal firm, mentioned one of the critical factors that led to these recent layoffs. “The last 10 years, there’s been a lot of over-hiring,” he said.

Journey to Better Therapeutic Consulting, spearheaded by the amazing Talley Webb, connects families and children with mental health and substance use treatment programs that cater to their needs. She puts her knowledge of treatment options in the mental health sphere to good use.

Super Bowl Sunday: Where the Ads Take Center Stage

Let it be known, here and now: I’m not a football person. In fact, Super Bowl Sunday is the one day of the year when I actively watch football. To be honest, it’s mainly for the ads.

Since 2010, January has been dubbed National Human Trafficking Prevention Month to raise awareness, foster education, and prevent this heinous crime from occurring. Unfortunately, this is still a prevalent issue in the US.

When examining human trafficking rates by state in 2022, World Population Review notes that California has the highest number of human trafficking cases (1,334) while Rhode Island has the lowest (10). However, Mississippi boasts the highest rate of human trafficking per 100,000 people (6.32). To think this is a massive epidemic today is as shocking as it is infuriating and heartbreaking.

Has anything truly reframed how we travel in recent years like Airbnb? The vacation rental company has been a popular alternative to hotels (usually cheaper ones, at that) for 14 years now, and it doesn’t intend to slow down soon. Of course, as with practically every industry, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the company’s revenue, especially with travel taking a nosedive during its height.

Think about your favorite brands – what springs to mind? Is it their logos, color schemes, or some swoopy lettering? Chances are that your brain sticks to something visual. Like those brands, it’s important to forge your own visual path and create a lasting image that customers will always remember. Got to keep them coming back for more. Click here to check out our thoughts on branding with a visual identity!

The pandemic definitely played a big role in forcing me to look at my services and figure out other revenue streams.

It's a scary thing to hire someone... but completely worth it! I just recently (over the past two years) started hiring for a variety of things that I need done for my business and I don't have the capacity to handle.

This is a one-day long virtual session for established businesses that need a brand boost or help in their marketing channels. Together we decide on a goal for the day, prioritize the work and get it done.

I’ve been reading a lot of books lately… some about career, some about parenting and some in between. But the message that keeps coming up for me is about having a purpose.

Burnout = TAKE A BREAK. There really is no way around this other than getting away from your computer and get out.

It's taken me years to figure out the best flow for but I finally feel like I have nailed it! My point is that it's different for everyone.

I consider myself lucky because I've been working remotely for a long time now! Happy to share my TOP 10 THINGS I've learned over the years.