We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Sheffield recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rachel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

What my parents did right was raising me to be a respectful young woman.
Being respectful has made a tremendous impact on my life and career. I am a firm believer in the phrase “respect begets respect.” Walking into any room with a warm spirit and a respectful attitude has opened so many doors for me.

When I moved to Houston, Texas as a transfer student, that same respectful attitude helped me land my very first job at a golf course. Opportunities were offered to me simply because I showed up on time, did what was asked of me, and always carried myself with respect. Later, that work ethic opened the door for me to run a print shop for a while — an experience that shaped the way I approach my career today.

My parents instilled every principle a child needs to be successful and respected, and their teachings continue to influence my journey. There have been times when I may have lacked a certain skill a job required, but my enthusiasm, character, and respect during interviews created opportunities anyway. I’ve learned that skills can be taught, but character speaks first. Your talent doesn’t mean much if you don’t have respect to support it.

As I grow older, I see more and more of my parents’ lessons showing up in my daily life. They raised me to respect God, and I can’t start my day without thanking Him for everything He has done for me. Their guidance has kept me grounded, humble, and respectful throughout my career.

I am truly grateful for the respect I’ve received from so many people along this journey — all because I choose to carry myself the way my parents taught me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Rachel Sheffield, also known as Rachel Designs. I am a professional graphic designer, content creator, storyteller, and brand ambassador who uses creativity, humor, and authenticity to inspire others.

My journey into creativity started in the most unexpected way—when my mom, Dorothea Sheffield, put me on punishment to reflect on my actions. What she didn’t know at the time was that this quiet moment would open the door to my imagination and unlock a part of me that would follow me throughout my life. From artwork and story times to videography and design, creativity has always been my language.

I officially stepped into the world of design after attending Lone Star College–CyFair, where I took drawing and art courses that challenged my skillset and pushed me outside my comfort zone. Still life drawings were intimidating at first, but once I saw what I was capable of, it made me proud—and it confirmed that design wasn’t just an interest, it was a calling.

Today, Rachel Designs provides graphic design, logo development, illustrations, branding services, and custom creative projects. I specialize in turning rough ideas into polished visuals using Adobe Illustrator. Whether I’m designing banners, branding small businesses, bringing pop-culture-inspired captions to life, or helping clients visualize their story, my goal is always the same: to help people and businesses stand out with purpose, clarity, and creativity.

One thing that sets me apart is my ability to merge art, storytelling, culture, humor, and civic engagement all into one brand. My social media isn’t just content—it’s a blend of education, motivation, and personality. I’m known for my creativity, my quick ability to craft ideas, my artistic range, my heartfelt stories, my strong civic voice, and my authentic presence that makes people feel connected.

I am also deeply inspired by the work of Barack and Michelle Obama, whose leadership and storytelling shaped my teenage years and helped mold my values. For years, I collected Obama memorabilia—magazines, calendars, DVDs, books, plaques, and more—creating a museum-themed space in my home. That early admiration grew into a lifelong commitment to learning, civic involvement, and using my platform responsibly.

In fact, this year I experienced a full-circle moment when a window cling featuring me was displayed—similar to how Michelle Obama has murals and visual tributes across the country. To have my image showcased in Houston, where people can be inspired, felt like confirmation that you truly become what you study and listen to in your own way.

One of the biggest honors in my career has been becoming the Official Brand Ambassador for Cy-Fest, the largest fall event in Cypress, Texas.

Celia Harper, Manager of Community Connections and Special Events, discovered me on Facebook and offered me the opportunity. That moment solidified that people see you even if you do not have a lot of followers or engagement . To return to my alma mater—Lone Star College–CyFair—for three executive years has been nothing short of a blessing.

Through this role, I’ve been able to:
• Inspire young college students
• Share my story as a former student turned entrepreneur
• Represent my community with charisma, professionalism, and pride
• Continue adding to the legacy of the school that helped shape me with style

I am forever grateful to Celia for believing in my craft and giving me a bigger platform to shine on.

I am most proud of my growth, my consistency, my willingness to step out of my comfort zone, and my ability to bring joy, knowledge, and motivation to others. Everything I do stems from purpose.

I want people to know that:
• Creativity is my love language.
• Your story matters, and I take pride in helping others tell theirs visually and emotionally.
• I am committed to empowering my community, uplifting future generations, and using my platform responsibly.
• My brand is built on excellence, authenticity, and heart—and that will always show through my work.

Whether I’m designing, teaching, creating content, sharing civics, dancing in random places, or uplifting someone’s spirit, my mission remains the same:
To inspire, create, support, and leave a meaningful imprint everywhere I go.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I had to pivot early in my business when I realized the graphic design industry can be unpredictable. One minute I’d have clients, and then I’d go weeks without any work. Graphic design isn’t something people need every day—once a logo or project is complete, that’s it. Meanwhile, bills don’t stop. I didn’t want to drain my savings, so I decided to look for a part-time job in the design field to help balance my income and lifestyle.

I ended up getting hired on the spot at a local print shop. That job allowed me to create a routine—working on my business in the mornings and the print shop in the afternoons. That rhythm helped me stabilize my schedule and finances while staying rooted in my career.

That same year, I was introduced to a delivery service gig. At first, I was hesitant because I didn’t want to put the company’s sticker on my car so people could see I worked for that delivery service. I viewed it as an embarrassment or worried people would think my business was failing. But eventually, I had to have a real conversation with myself: stop worrying about what people might think about your hustle and situation. You’re an entrepreneur now, and sometimes you need multiple streams of income to keep your business afloat—especially in that first year.

I finally tried the delivery service gig in July 2021 after attending a party and realizing I needed more income if I wanted to continue enjoying the things that brought me joy and helped me decompress from work. Once I started, I saw how helpful it was. It balanced my wants and needs, helped fund my business expenses, and kept my lifestyle steady.

Later that year, I left the print shop and became a full-time delivery driver while continuing to grow Rachel Designs. This brought me so much joy while maintaining my freedom to create my own schedule. Four years later, I’m still doing it—and it has been a blessing. It’s flexible, it’s fast money, and it allows me to travel around Houston and the surrounding areas while marketing my business the old-school way. Social media is great, but face-to-face visibility still matters.

This pivot taught me that there’s no shame in having a side hustle or if your small business is going through hardship. Sometimes the smartest move you can make as an entrepreneur is doing whatever is necessary to stay afloat and keep your dream alive.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being an artist and creative is the way my work allows me to express myself and connect with people. There’s nothing like seeing someone love my designs enough to wear them, accessorize with them, or hang them in their home. My creativity not only inspires others to create and be themselves, but it has also opened doors and introduced me to incredible people. Knowing that my art can touch lives, spark confidence, and build community—that’s the true reward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.racheldesigns.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_racheldesigns_/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/designsbyrachels/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelsheffielddesigns/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/_racheldesigns_
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RachelDesignsvideos
• Other: Redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/people/DesignsbyRayS/shop
  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Designsbyrays/

Image Credits

Rachel Sheffield
LaSonya Foy
Trulane Rhymes-Pea