We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicholas Miner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nicholas, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I think the main ingredient to success is consistency. You have to show up daily and put in the work. Some days, you’ll love what you’re doing and everything will feel great. Other days, you’ll want to do anything but work. But training yourself to make a daily effort is key. Success takes time, and it doesn’t happen overnight.

There are so many artists who look like overnight successes, but people don’t see the years of hard work they put in before anyone knew who they were. In my own career, I’ve made it a point to push myself to create, even when I didn’t have paid client work. I’ve always focused on developing my skills and becoming a better creative. That ongoing dedication helps me grow and keeps me ready when new opportunities come along.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Nick, a graphic designer with over a decade of experience. My journey into design started back in high school when I worked at a local sign and screen print shop. That hands-on experience ignited my passion for graphic design. After that, I went to LSU, where I dove deeper into the world of design and truly found my calling. After college, I spent time at several advertising agencies, honing my skills and learning how to solve real-world problems for clients.

At Miner Design Co., I offer services like branding, illustration, packaging design, logo design, and environmental design. I work across various industries but mainly focus on restaurants, hospitality, retail, food and beverage, and non-profits. I collaborate closely with my clients to understand their goals and challenges, aiming to create designs that not only look great but also effectively meet their needs.

What sets me apart is that I prioritize building strong, lasting relationships with my clients. I believe in “People over projects,” meaning I value the relationships more than the work or the money involved. Business is all about people—let’s not forget that.

What I’m most proud of right now is getting to work with really great people. My goal is to help my clients fall more in love with their brands and see them grow. It’s amazing to look around my community and see the businesses and people I’ve helped over the years. I take a lot of pride in doing good work for good people.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

After graduating from LSU with my graphic design degree, I faced a tough time trying to land a job. For about a year and a half, I sent out countless resumes but didn’t get any responses. It was discouraging, and I started to question my career choice.

One day, I shared my frustrations with my grandma. She suggested, “Why don’t you go knock on their doors and introduce yourself?” Initially, I thought that approach was outdated, but she pointed out that what I was doing wasn’t working.

So, I took her advice. I put together a polished physical portfolio and personally visited the agencies I wanted to work for, introducing myself and leaving my portfolio with them. I was hired the very next day. Eventually, all the agencies where I left my portfolio reached out to me.

This experience taught me a lot about resilience and the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone. Sometimes, you need to try a different approach and be proactive to make things happen. That lesson has stayed with me ever since.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes, my side hustle did turn into my full-time career. It began about five years ago when I started taking on freelance graphic design projects at night while still working full-time during the day. Freelancing allowed me to explore different creative opportunities and work directly with clients who needed help developing their brands.

A key milestone in this journey was when my wife, Katie, and I welcomed our daughter Clara into the world. Her birth made me reevaluate how I was balancing work and family life. Juggling a full time job, freelance work, and family responsibilities became increasingly challenging. I realized I wanted to be more present for my family and have greater control over my schedule.

With Katie’s support, I decided to take the leap and make my side hustle my full-time career. This shift allowed me to focus entirely on my own business and spend more quality time with my family. Turning my side hustle into my main career wasn’t without its challenges, but it has been incredibly rewarding. It gave me the opportunity to align my work with my personal values and be there for the moments that matter most with Katie and Clara.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://minerdesignco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minerdesignco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasgminer

Image Credits

Kim Meadowlark
Jody Johnston
James Peck