 Interview originally conducted by Bold Journey. Grateful for the opportunity to share my story with them! boldjourney.com/meet-karla-pamanes ______ Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karla Pamanes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below. Hi Karla, really appreciate you joining us to talk about a really relevant, albeit unfortunate topic – layoffs and getting fired. Can you talk to us about your experience and how you overcame being let go? Getting laid off due to COVID-19 was a hard hit, especially since it wasn’t my first time—I’d already gone through it just 17 months earlier. For a decade, I had a stable career in the media industry, working at a company that grew to be a leader in lifestyle media, surrounded by colleagues I admired in a city that felt like home. But when that chapter closed, I found myself facing years of uncertainty, and I’ll admit, it was pretty intimidating at first. Eventually, I learned to roll with the changes. After the second layoff, I decided it was time to dive into building the design business I’d always dreamed of. It wasn’t always easy, but the journey has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve been able to help amazing clients bring their visions to life and create something for myself in the process. I came to realize that while getting laid off can be a major setback, it can also be the push you need to take risks, grow, and build a career that truly aligns with your passions. Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself? I am Karla Pámanes and I am an award-winning designer and branding expert based out of San Antonio, Texas. I have designed for brands like BRIT + CO, Discovery, HGTV, Food Network, Facebook (now Meta), Kellanova, and more. The best part of my job is meeting people who have big ideas that they feel passionately about. I love that I get to use my skills as a designer to help them translate those ideas into a dynamic brand that inspires people to take action. The brand identity design I do for my clients gives them premium positioning in a global marketplace that’s becoming more and more crowded by the day. My process focuses on capturing the distinctive personality of the brands I work with so they can make waves in their industry. The world doesn’t need any more boring design! When I’m not working on brand identities for my clients, I am working with aspiring designers as a mentor. I created a signature design course to share the knowledge I’ve collected from my 15+ years of experience in the corporate, agency, and freelance world. I talk to people all the time who are drawn to the design world but aren’t sure whether they’re ready to pursue it. These conversations inspired me to dedicate more of my time and energy to design mentorship!  There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on? I always loved the phrase, “Be the person you needed when you were younger.” Going back to my early years when I was learning graphic design I would have LOVED to have a mentor. I had talented professors, but there was never enough 1:1 time in the classroom. I often turned to my peers who were a little ahead of me and they helped me improve my skills the most. I created The Brand Design Academy to be the mentor I wished I had when I was first starting my career, and I’m always so excited when I receive feedback that someone has booked their first design client or put together a portfolio they’re proud of after taking the course. https://www.karlapamanes.com/the-brand-design-academy.html Reflecting on my journey, there are three key lessons that truly shaped my growth as a designer. These are the qualities I found most impactful, and I’d recommend focusing on them to anyone just starting out: 1. Find Mentors and Community Learning from others who’ve been where you are can make a huge difference. Seek out mentors or supportive groups to help guide you along the way. 2. Stay Resourceful and Proactive Don’t wait for opportunities—create them! Look for resources, ask questions, stay curious, and always keep learning. 3. Practice and Keep Improving Consistency is key. Keep working on your skills, embrace the learning process, and don’t be afraid of mistakes—they’re part of the journey! As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development? The biggest risk I ever took was deciding to go full-time in my business. After back-to-back layoffs—first due to a merger in 2018 and then during COVID in 2020—I found myself questioning the stability I had always valued. When my dad passed away in 2020, I hit rock bottom. It was a turning point that made me rethink what I truly wanted from life. That’s when I came across The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The book challenged me to confront my fears and limiting beliefs about what I thought was possible. It introduced the concept of the ‘Upper Limit Problem,’ where we subconsciously sabotage our success due to hidden fears. That idea resonated deeply, as I had always admired people who pursued their dreams but struggled to believe it was possible for me. The Big Leap helped me shift my mindset, take risks, and aim higher. The most valuable lesson was learning to live in what Hendricks calls the ‘Zone of Genius’—focusing on what I’m naturally good at and passionate about. This book played a crucial role in helping me take the leap into running my business full-time, embracing uncertainty, and finally chasing the life I truly wanted. Contact Info:
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