Last weekend, we walked down by the lake — just me and my favorite +1 — and it reminded me exactly why I chose this path in the first place. This is the stuff that really matters. 💞

As we step into the heart of summer, I just want to soak it all in. My kiddo won’t be begging to do things with me forever, and I want to be present and make those memories with him!

This season in life and business for me isn’t about hustle. It’s about honoring the peace I’ve earned, the freedom I fought for, and the future I’m designing for myself.

I don’t have a multiple-six-figure business yet, but I’ve created consistent revenue every year. That alone is something I’m really proud of. I would rather grow a little more slowly, knowing that I’m still meeting the goals I need in order to provide a great life for me and my son (and my cats!). 

At the risk of sounding like a self-help author, I really just wanted to remind you that success is truly whatever you define it to be. ☺️ Maybe hustling and hitting some major metrics feels like the thing you want to focus on. That’s totally fine! I go back and forth between hustle eras and rest eras and I just happen to be in a rest era right now. Nothing against hustling if that’s what feels right for you!
Basically, everyone’s story will look different (and will very likely change over time), and that’s what makes being your own boss such an adventure!

Speaking of being your own boss, I recently got called out HARD by a strange man about my entrepreneurial habits. It was… pretty rude. 😉 Check out the video here if you missed it.

​What’s your version of success these days? I’d genuinely love to hear it.

My path to becoming a full-time entrepreneur wasn’t exactly a straight line. I got laid off (twice), turned my design skills into a side hustle that brought in some pocket money, and slowly grew it into something much bigger. Some days felt exciting, like I was really making progress, and other days felt like I was spinning my wheels. 😵‍💫​

In 2022, something shifted. My business grew by 50%, and I honestly credit a big part of that to investing in Business Class, Sophia Amoruso’s business mentorship program. If you don’t know Sophia, she’s the OG Girlboss—the founder of Nasty Gal and author of the bestselling book by the same name. She built a massive brand from scratch and knows what it’s like to be in the trenches of entrepreneurship.

When I first went full-time, I realized quickly that being a designer wasn’t enough—I had to run an actual business. And that part? Not my strong suit at the time. I started learning everything I could, especially from women who had already done it, and that’s what led me to Business Class. What I love about this program is that it doesn’t just focus on the shiny stuff—it digs into the foundational things we tend to avoid (like contracts, taxes, and how to actually structure your business). But Sophia makes even the complicated things easy to understand. There are templates, cheat sheets, and real-world examples that helped me feel less intimidated and more in control.

​Do you want to take a little trip down memory lane with me?

Let’s go back in time to my fourth month of running my design business full-time. From the outside, everything looked great. I had just surpassed my Q1 revenue goals. My inbox was full. My calendar was booked. I had clients I loved working with.

But on the inside, I was quietly spiraling.

I remember working in my bedroom one afternoon, staring at my laptop, trying to hold it all together. Lennon had just gone down for a nap, and instead of taking a moment to breathe or celebrate how far I’d come, I found myself questioning everything:

What if I can’t keep this up?
What if the clients stop coming?
What if I get too busy to be the mom I want to be?

There it was — this deep fear that maybe I had chosen wrong. That maybe building a business and being a present, connected, and joyful mom wasn’t going to be possible. 

Even though I knew it wasn’t productive, I started comparing myself to all the other female designers I followed online. The ones without kids. The ones whose feeds were perfectly curated and whose lives seemed… lighter. Was this life I was trying to build only meant for that kind of woman? Was it even possible for me to achieve the same things?

I had convinced myself that they had an advantage I never would. That my “mother” status automatically meant that I would grow slower, feel less creative, and be more unavailable. I couldn’t see a path to success as long as I was splitting myself between these two roles. 😔

So I did the one thing I knew I needed to do. I called my best friend, Margarita.

​I still remember how I launched into my monologue the second she picked up. I rattled off every fear, every insecurity, every ounce of guilt. I told her I didn’t think I could grow this business and still be the kind of mom Lennon deserved.

She listened. Then she said something that pulled me right out of my pity spiral:

“I hear you. But think about my sister, Adriana!”

Her sister, a single mom and a literal pilot, manages to find a way to thrive in her intense career while raising her son. She’s not always perfect, but she’s doing it. And somehow, that reminder was exactly what I needed to hear (thank goodness for besties, am I right?) 👯‍♀️

Of course, that 10-minute phone call didn’t magically solve all of my problems or put all of my worries to rest forever. But it reminded me of the core reasons I wanted to start my own brand identity design business in the first place:

✨ I wanted the flexibility to be involved in my son’s life.
✨ I wanted to show what it looks like to dream big and go after what you want.
✨ I wanted to provide for us in a way that felt creative and fulfilling.
✨ I wanted to do work that lit me up instead of drained me.

And now, a few years later, I can say with my whole heart that the terrifying, wobbly, early season was worth it. I don’t really like the word “balance” because to me, it feels more like a juggling act. 🤹🏻‍♀️ Sometimes it still feels like all of the balls are about to crash down, but most of the time, I feel like I’m doing a pretty good job. 

So with Mother’s Day right around the corner, I want to connect with the moms who are building a business, chasing a dream, or figuring out how to make space for everything. Maybe you’ve had your own spiral moment. Maybe you’ve questioned whether this is sustainable. Maybe you’ve compared your journey to someone else’s and told yourself you're falling behind.

But here’s what I want you to know:

You’re doing something brave. You’re building something that will give your family more possibilities, not less. It might not always be easy, but the example you’re setting is something your kids will never forget. 💗

Do you want to take a little trip down memory lane with me?

Let’s go back in time to my fourth month of running my design business full-time. From the outside, everything looked great. I had just surpassed my Q1 revenue goals. My inbox was full. My calendar was booked. I had clients I loved working with.

But on the inside, I was quietly spiraling.

I remember sitting at my desk one afternoon, staring at my laptop, trying to hold it all together. Lennon had just gone down for a nap, and instead of taking a moment to breathe or celebrate how far I’d come, I found myself questioning everything:

What if I can’t keep this up?
What if the clients stop coming?
What if I get too busy to be the mom I want to be?

​

​Step 1: The Quiz Entry Point
Everything begins with my Brand Design Style Quiz, which lives on my website. Once someone completes the quiz, their results and email address are automatically captured. I use a simple integration that connects directly to Flodesk. This integration allows me to tag quiz takers based on their result type (e.g., "Bold & Colorful" or "Modern & Minimal") and add them to a specific workflow in Flodesk.
​
This tagging helps personalize the experience from the very beginning—without requiring any manual sorting on my end. Within seconds, they get their first email. 

​Step 2: Email #1 – Instant Quiz Results
As soon as someone submits their quiz, they receive a beautifully designed email with their personalized result. This email highlights their brand style (with visuals), what that means, and how they can use this insight to inform their design decisions.
​
This email is all about value: they get something fun, informative, and tailored to them. I highlight the importance of a strong brand identity and it sets the tone for a high-touch, strategic design experience.

​Step 3: Email #2 – Can I Help?
A day later, I send a follow-up email. This one is more personal and starts with a simple question: "Can I help you bring your brand to life?"

I share a quick overview of my process—what it’s like to work with me, what’s included in a brand design project, and how I approach collaboration. I also include a link to my services page, which includes general package details.
​
This email isn’t pushy. It’s more of a warm invitation to explore next steps if they’re curious. Many of my clients say this was the moment they started envisioning what was possible for their brand.

Step 4: Email #3 – Book a Call
The final email in this 3-part workflow goes out the next day and invites them to book a free discovery call. This email is very short and focused:

• A friendly reminder that I'm here to help
• A testimonial from a happy client
• A direct link to my calendar
  
  

I keep it light and personal. The goal is to make it easy and low-pressure for them to take that next step. By this point, they’ve already had a few positive touch points with my brand—and Flodesk makes each one look and feel consistent.

This is where I see a lot of conversions happen. It’s proof that when your emails are thoughtful and well-timed, they really do move people to action.

Why I love using Flodesk for this funnel 💗

There are a few key reasons why Flodesk is the perfect platform for this:

1. Visual Email Builder
I’m a designer, so it matters to me that every email reflects my brand. Flodesk makes it easy to create emails that are clean, on-brand, and visually appealing without needing to code anything.

2. Seamless Workflows
Setting up my quiz automation was incredibly simple. I use conditional steps based on quiz results, time delays between emails, and custom segments to keep everything organized.

3. Clean Segmentation
Because I tag quiz takers by result type, I can follow up later with more specific content based on their style. For example, if someone gets a "Natural & Lively" result, I might send them future blog posts or brand examples that align with that vibe.

4. Consistent Brand Experience
Every email they get from me feels cohesive—same tone, same visuals, same energy. Flodesk lets me reinforce my brand with every touch point.

5. It Grows With Me
As my audience and offers evolve, I can easily update workflows, build new segments, and try new strategies. Flodesk doesn’t box me in—it grows with my business.
​
A new Flodesk feature that I implemented to my quiz workflows is allowing subscribers to go through the workflows multiple times. This has been a game-changer as people like to take the quiz more than one time. 😃 

This quiz-to-call system is one of the most impactful workflows in my business, and Flodesk is what makes it all run smoothly.  If you’re a service provider or creative entrepreneur looking for a way to nurture leads automatically (and beautifully), I can’t recommend it enough!

I hope this behind-the-scenes breakdown gives you a few ideas you can use for your own funnel. And as always, if you want to try Flodesk for yourself, you can sign up here using my affiliate link.

Here's to automating with heart 💗 and never having to choose between strategy and style!
​

As a brand designer, I’ve heard all the opinions about Canva...

Some designers roll their eyes. Others refuse to touch it. But here’s my honest take: Canva isn’t the enemy. It’s a tool. And when used strategically, it can help you create a beautiful, effective brand—no design degree required.

In fact, I don’t hate Canva. I actually think it’s one of the best things to happen to entrepreneurs and small business owners trying to get their brand off the ground.
Let’s talk about why.

Canva is a tool, not a threat
It’s easy to assume that Canva “cheapens” design—but that’s just not true. Canva doesn’t replace a professional designer. What it does offer is creative independence, accessibility, and a solid starting point for building your brand.

And let’s be real--have you seen some of the latest Canva updates? They’re seriously impressive. With smart tools, AI-powered features, and pro-level templates, it’s more powerful than ever.


Why I don’t hate Canva
Here are a few reasons why I actually support Canva—especially for entrepreneurs in the early stages of their business.

1. It Gives You Creative ControlCanva allows you to experiment and build your brand on your own timeline. You don’t have to wait on a designer—you can refine your visuals as your business evolves.

2. It’s Easy and AccessibleYou don’t need to be a design pro to use Canva. Its user-friendly interface means you can create graphics, marketing materials, and brand elements that look polished and professional—even if you’ve never designed anything before.

3. It’s a Great Starting PointIf you're still figuring out your brand, Canva gives you a place to explore your style and vision. It helps you get going without the overwhelm or cost of hiring a designer too early.


So, can you build a real brand with Canva?
Absolutely! Especially if you are starting out and if you use it strategically.

That’s exactly what I teach in my course, The DIY Brand Glow-Up. It’s a self-guided, beginner-friendly brand design course that walks you through building a professional, aligned brand using Canva.

You don’t need to be a designer. You just need a little guidance—and that’s what the course delivers.


Inside The DIY Brand Glow-Up, you’ll learn:
✨ How to design a professional-looking logo
✨ How to build a color palette that pops
✨ How to choose scroll-stopping fonts
✨  How to pull it all together into a brand you’re proud of

You’ll also get access to detailed video trainings, done-for-you templates, and live support—so you’re never stuck doing it alone.


Ready to build your brand (the smart way)?
The DIY Brand Glow-Up is the perfect place to start if you want to build a brand that reflects your vision and grows your business.​