We recently connected with Kim Russo and have shared our conversation below.

Kim, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later?

I started my business in 2018 after leaving a previous business I helped build with an ex. It was not a positive experience, but it taught me a lot. I learned what I did not want in business, and more importantly, it gave me the confidence to know I could build something on my own.

There are definitely moments where I look back and wish I had started sooner. I had ideas and instincts even then that I did not fully trust or pursue at the time. I think if I had stepped into my independence earlier and invested in myself the way I do now, I would have grown faster both personally and professionally.

That said, I also recognize that those experiences shaped how I lead today. It was through that season that I began to value self development, surrounding myself with the right people, and really listening to my own voice. Those shifts have been just as important as any business strategy.

Looking back, I do not think I would change the timing. I believe I started when I was ready to fully own it, and that has made all the difference.

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 have always considered myself a lifelong creative. Growing up in upstate New York, I was constantly drawing, crafting, and taking art classes. By my senior year of high school, my schedule was almost entirely focused on art. I also had family in New York City, which gave me early exposure to a bigger creative world and inspired me to pursue school there.

I applied only to the Fashion Institute of Technology for advertising design. At the time, I did not want to be a “starving artist,” and after seeing a movie that sparked my interest, I chose a path that felt both creative and practical. During my visit, I was accepted on the spot based on my portfolio, which was a defining and proud moment for me.

Two years later, we had to reapply for our bachelor’s programs, and I chose packaging design after falling in love with a class I had taken. It was highly competitive, with only a small number of students accepted each year. I did not get in the first time, but I was determined. I stayed persistent, put in extra work, and continued meeting with the department chair until I earned my place in the program. That level of determination carried through, and I graduated at the top of my class.

I spent over a decade working in packaging design, creating for well-known brands you would recognize walking through any grocery store. That experience gave me a strong foundation in both design and strategy. Later, when I transitioned into working in printing and design, I taught myself web design and discovered a new level of creativity and purpose. That shift led me into branding and website design, where I found what truly felt aligned.

Today, my work blends all of those experiences. I still have a love for packaging design, but my focus is on helping women bring their brands to life through both strategy and visual design. It is the combination of creativity, problem solving, and transformation that continues to inspire me.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for me has been visibility and building genuine relationships within female business communities. Showing up consistently, even on the days I would rather stay home, has made a huge difference. Those in-person connections often lead to direct clients or strong referrals.

A lot of my growth has also come from word of mouth. The quality of my work, combined with how I show up for my clients, has naturally led people to recommend me. I have built a strong network of entrepreneurial women who actively support one another, and that has been incredibly impactful.

I also receive many referrals through online communities, especially Facebook groups, where people are actively looking for branding and website support. Having a network of peers who trust my work and are willing to tag and recommend me has been one of the most valuable drivers of new business.

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

The most rewarding part is bringing something to life that once only existed as an idea. There is something really powerful about taking a vision, whether it is my own or a client’s, and translating it into something tangible that people can see and experience.

I also love the transformation that happens through the process. It is not just about creating something that looks beautiful. It is about helping someone see themselves and their business more clearly. When that clarity clicks, you can feel the shift in their confidence, and that is incredibly rewarding.

At the core of it, being a creative allows me to combine intuition, strategy, and expression in a way that never feels repetitive. Every project is different, and that keeps me inspired.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://onbranddesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/on_brand_designs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.russo.334/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-russo/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@onbranddesigns
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@onbranddesigns
  https://www.pinterest.com/onbranddesigns/

Image Credits

Jen MacNiven