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

Lizzie , appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

One of the biggest risks that I have taken was starting my small business, GiveLoveStudio during my senior year of high school. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I had just finished my junior year of high school online and found myself searching for a creative outlet as the end of the semester approached. I had no prior business knowledge, but a profound interest in graphic design. I knew in order to get into college for graphic design, I had to build up my portfolio. I jumped in head first that summer, creating social media accounts, researching how to market myself and where to have products made and developed. I started planning my business in May of 2020 and officially opened my Etsy shop in July 2020. That fall, I spent all of my free time building up my business, making posts on social media, creating new designs and turning them into products while applying for colleges. My business began to slowly grow, and by graduation in June of 2021 I had over 7,000 followers across platforms. I moved cities for college and brought my business with me, creating designs and shipping packages out of my dorm room with the help of my roommates. I’d like to think that this is the biggest risk that I’ve taken because it is something that I have continued to pursue throughout my time in college and am getting ready to graduate with a degree in Graphic and Experience Design in May. Founding and running a small business while in school has equipped me with important business and industry skills, as well as strengthened and pushed my design skills to the next level. I currently have over 25,000 followers across platforms, have been invited to multiple industry events, and shipped packages to over 20 countries. Had I decided to spend my time during the pandemic otherwise, I would have never been the designer and creative that I am today.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I’m Lizzie Edwards, a multidisciplinary graphic designer and founder of GiveLoveStudio from Raleigh, North Carolina. I am graduating this May with a degree in Graphic and Experience Design with a minor in anthropology from North Carolina State University. I am known for my bold colors, typography, and eclectic style and am actively shaping my creative voice as I officially begin my creative career.

I have had the opportunity to grow up around graphic design and my arts through my mother, who is also a graphic designer. She has encouraged me throughout my creative journey and has always been incredibly supportive of my work.

GiveLoveStudio is rooted in pop culture, creative community, and is a place where I can express myself and connect with like-minded individuals. I sell prints, stickers, and apparel, while offering licensing, branding, and illustration services to clients.

During my time in college, I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to attend a few Adobe Community events and participate in their Creative Apprenticeship Program. These have shaped opportunities have shaped who I am as a designer and creative individual because it has encouraged me to uplift others and dream big within my own experiences.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Back in 2022, I had recently been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and had taken a step back from my design work and GiveLoveStudio to focus on my health. I came across a creative challenge called One Design a Day – which is exactly what it sounds like – sharing a design on social media every single day for an entire year. I set out to achieve this in January 2023 and successfully completed the challenge in January 2024, and participated in it again from February 2024 to February 2025. This challenge helped build my reputation in my field because it was an opportunity to show off my skills as a budding designer, grow my skills, and develop my own art style. This challenge opened numerous projects and doors for me at the start of my creative career.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing my work connect and resonate with others. I have always wanted GiveLoveStudio to feel like a space of creative community and cultural collective. I am incredibly passionate about making individuals feel connected and seen, especially through a specific song or quote. If I receive a message or comment along those lines, I know I’ve done my job and met my purpose as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lizzieedwards.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/givelovestudio/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzieedwards235/