Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Andrews.
Lauren, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After leaving my career in radio at the end of 2018, I decided to pursue my once full-time hobby and follow my constant desire to create. It’s like second nature to me. My brain is constantly hyped with new ideas and visuals. I thrive off chasing the feeling of watching a vision become a reality. While I received great experience branding radio stations and local events, my style truly came to life when I took the [terrifying] leap of faith to brand myself instead.
My first independent gig was creating wedding invitations for my sister. That project fueled me to extend my passion into a dream job. A few months later, I designed my first billboard. November 2019 marked my first anniversary of working for myself, experiencing an entire year packed full of marketing projects, custom orders, and collaborations. And the journey continues.
I wake up thankful daily to possess a job that doesn’t feel like a job at all. I want my work with Lauren Phoenix Design to continue to inspire not only me but anyone who encounters it.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My road has seen some bumps. And potholes, and construction, and u-turns. Maybe even some roadkill. But, bring on the challenges! Anything awesome is worth pushing through the mess.
Starting my own business meant making a lot of life changes. Ditching a work commute was awesome, but I no longer had a team of co-workers to support me. Creating my own schedule was a dream, but I now had no one to keep me accountable (or share blame with) but myself. Receiving new project requests was super exciting, but I no longer had the consistency of a bi-weekly paycheck.
I have learned so many things about running a business in a short amount of time, but I often struggle with the unpredictability that entrepreneurship brings. It’s a pretty fair love/hate situation. I love that I typically have flexibility with my weekly schedule, something I’ve never experienced until now. I can work where I need to when I need to. On the other hand, if I don’t have work, I don’t get paid. So, keeping my work calendar properly stacked is highly important.
My current fight with myself is knowing when to shut it off. My brain is constantly running with new ideas and plans to grow my business. Before it was my full-time job, my art was one of the ways I chose to unwind, so it’s an easy default. My work excites me and is a huge part of my life, but it’s not all that I’m about. Setting boundaries when you work from home is super necessary to keep the work/life balance in check.
For me, the rewards of being a small business owner far outweigh the challenges, I also strongly believe that If you aren’t uncomfortable, you aren’t growing.
Lauren Phoenix Design – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Lauren Phoenix Design is all about graphic design and illustration. I create custom visuals for events, businesses and individuals. I love working on marketing materials, logo designs, custom artwork, and invitations. The true thrill to me is getting to know my client’s unique needs and working together to bring their vision, but better, to life. Thanks to social media, I have had the privilege of working with so many really cool people with rad ideas. I rarely turn down a project request. I am all about going after the wild ideas that seem too crazy. Continuously pushing the normal boundaries, especially in design, is what sets brands apart from the pack. The visual world is ever-evolving, and my desire is for Lauren Phoenix Design to not only stay current but ahead of the game.
I want people to feel completely confident and comfortable in trusting me with their design. I strive to give each client a design of their dreams. I only create pieces that I believe in. Whether a brand design or a tattoo design, I want each person who chooses Lauren Phoenix Design to say “wow.”
I am proud of my intentional customer service, unique yet diverse design style, and work ethic. I set deadlines from the start and stick to them. It is just as important to me as it is to my client that we get the design exactly right.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Man, so many proud moments.
My recent milestone of hitting one year of self-employment in November is probably at the top of that list. I am so thankful for all of the opportunities I’ve had to work with incredible people and companies during this whirlwind first year, and I can’t wait to keep expanding my brand.
I’m also super proud to be a regular art vendor at the Marietta Square Artisan Market which happens on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from April-December. I look forward to continuing this partnership into 2020, and creating more custom art for my Marietta friends and beyond.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurenphoenixdesign.com
- Phone: 770-757-6381
- Email: heylaurenphoenix@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenphoenixdesign/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Sarah Singleton and Lauren Andrews
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