We recently connected with Nicole Hoschouer and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, let’s jump into one of the most exciting parts of starting a new venture – how did you get your first client who was not a friend or family?

It started in a way that feels familiar for a lot of small business owners. My first client was family, then a friend, then a few more friends and friends-of-friends. It was a gentle, encouraging way to begin, but I remember wondering when or if it would grow beyond that circle.

What surprised me most is how quickly it did.

Not long after I started, I began getting inquiries from people I had never met before, almost all through referrals. I still remember seeing those first messages come through and feeling completely stunned. These were real business owners, with real visions, choosing to trust me with something so important. It felt equal parts exciting and surreal, like “wait… this is actually working.”

Within just a few months, I found myself fully booked and scheduling projects months in advance. I was genuinely shocked. I like to add the context that I work part-time so being fully booked is less impressive than it would be if I worked full time, but at the time it still felt like this huge, validating moment that maybe I really could do this.

And honestly, that feeling hasn’t gone away.

Even today, every new inquiry gives me a little rush. It’s like butterflies in my stomach every time I see a new name pop up in my inbox. I still feel that same mix of excitement and gratitude, because each one represents someone choosing to trust me with their brand, and that never feels ordinary to me.

Nicole, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Nicole, a freelance graphic designer specializing in logo, brand, and web design. My business, Wild Ginger Creative, is a nod to my naturally red, wildly curly hair. While I wouldn’t describe myself as particularly wild (I’m very much an introvert), my hair has always had a mind of its own, and in a way, that same quiet, untamed creativity shows up in my work.

My path into design wasn’t completely linear. I have a degree in Art History and spent time working in museums, galleries, and marketing. Through those experiences, I developed a deep appreciation for visual storytelling, symbolism, and the way thoughtful design can shape how something is perceived. Over time, that naturally led me to graphic design, where I found the perfect intersection of creativity, strategy, and meaningful impact.

Today, I work with small business owners to help them show up more confidently and connect with their ideal clients through intentional, strategic design. I create logos, full brand identities, and custom websites that not only look beautiful but are rooted in clarity and purpose.

What sets my work apart is the depth of the process behind it. Before I ever begin designing, I spend time getting to know my clients and their businesses on a deeper level. I focus heavily on connection, strategy, and research, because I believe the strongest brands are built from understanding, not just aesthetics. The design itself is just one piece of a much bigger picture.

As an introvert, I see that as a strength in my work. I’m a careful listener, I ask thoughtful questions, and I create space for my clients to feel understood. That often leads to work that feels very aligned and personal to them, which is always the goal.

I especially love working with small business owners who are doing meaningful, people-centered work. I’ve had the opportunity to design for many therapists and mental health professionals, which has become a really fulfilling niche for me, although I love working with any small business trying to make a personal connection.

What I’m most proud of is creating work that not only looks good, but genuinely helps my clients grow. When someone feels more confident putting their brand out into the world, then they start attracting the right clients, and their business begins to reflect the level they’re operating at. That’s the kind of impact that matters most to me.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

One of the things I’m really grateful for is that starting a graphic design business doesn’t require a huge amount of upfront capital. At its core, you really just need a computer and the right software, which made it feel accessible from the beginning.

That said, my first real investment in my business was a graphic design course that cost around $1,000. At the time, that felt like a big decision. I remember sitting down with my husband and really talking through whether it was something we were willing to spend, especially without any guarantee of what would come from it.

Looking back, that investment was a turning point for me.

Of course, I gained technical skills that have more than paid for themselves, but what mattered even more was the confidence it gave me. My teacher and mentor helped me realize that I didn’t need to be perfect or have everything figured out before I started. She gave me permission, in a way, to begin before I felt fully “ready.”

But beyond that, there was something powerful about investing real money in myself.

It made me take myself, my work, and my time more seriously. It shifted something internally where this stopped being just a “maybe someday” idea and started feeling like something real and worth showing up for. I began to value my skills differently, and that naturally carried over into how I presented myself and my work to others.

That shift in mindset changed everything.

Because while the practical skills were valuable, the belief that I could actually do this, and the decision to treat myself like someone worth investing in, gave me a level of confidence and pride that you truly need to build a creative business. That initial leap, both financially and mentally, is what allowed everything else to grow from there.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is the idea that you have to feel “ready” before you start something.

For a long time, I thought I needed to reach a certain level of skill or confidence before I could share my work publicly. But if I had waited until I felt ready or “good enough,” I genuinely don’t think I would have ever started.

Putting my work out there for the first time was excruciating. And if I’m being honest, it can still feel that way sometimes. There’s a certain vulnerability in sharing something you’ve created and attaching your name to it, especially in a creative field where your work feels personal.

But I learned pretty quickly that sharing before you feel ready is actually the path forward, not something to avoid. It’s how you improve, how you build confidence, and how you start attracting the right clients.

Now when I look back at some of my earliest projects, I definitely cringe a little. I can see all the ways I would refine or elevate them with the skills I have now. But at the same time, I feel a real sense of admiration for that version of me. She showed up anyway. She hit “post” anyway. She started before she felt qualified.

And that’s the reason I’m where I am today.

Of course there are moments where I think about how fun it would be to revisit those early projects with everything I’ve learned since. But the fact that I’ve grown, that I can see the difference, is actually something I’m proud of. It means I’ve been willing to keep going, keep learning, and keep putting myself out there.

Unlearning the need to feel ready gave me permission to begin, and that changed everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wildgingercreative.com
• Instagram: @wild.ginger.creative