Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Juliana Mary Nahas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Juliana Mary, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Ten years ago, I found myself trapped in a soul-sucking 9-to-5 job in a windowless office, donning a stuffy suit and heels every day. It wasn’t me, and I yearned for the freedom to live life on my own terms – to take my dog for a walk, enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee, and pursue my passion for creativity. But I had no idea how to make it happen.

That all changed when I won a coveted seat in a workshop with a world-renowned calligrapher. This experience ignited a fire within me and introduced me to the exciting world of stationery design. I poured my heart and soul into building a successful wedding stationery and calligraphy business in my spare time, but despite my best efforts, I couldn’t generate enough inquiries to replace my full-time income. It was clear that something was missing.

I soon realized that the key to success in the stationery design industry was showcasing my work beautifully and professionally. However, I couldn’t afford a professional photographer, and the images I was able to capture with my cell phone just didn’t do my work justice. Determined to overcome this obstacle, I taught myself how to style using blank pieces of paper and took my own photos. It was a steep learning curve, but with practice and persistence, I began to create images that truly captured the essence of my designs.

One day, I decided to list some of my images with blank papers online just to see what would happen. To my amazement, they started selling almost instantly. That’s when I realized that there was a huge untapped market for mockups – something that could help stationers showcase their work beautifully and professionally without the expense of hiring a professional photographer.

With my unique understanding of the types of images designers needed and how to lay out the paper, I knew I was onto something big. I began to receive inquiries from stationers who wanted me to style and shoot their work, and to create mockups in other styles. It quickly became clear that I was offering something that was sorely needed in the industry.

My passion for calligraphy had unwittingly led me to an entirely new career path – one that allowed me to combine my love of design with my newfound expertise in styling and photography. Today, my business not only provides mockups to help stationers and creatives build thriving brands and businesses, but I also offer custom product photoshoots for stationers and artists who want to showcase their work in a unique and compelling way. With each project, I bring a fresh perspective and a commitment to delivering stunning, high-quality images that capture the essence of each brand and help my clients stand out in a crowded market. I’m thrilled to be able to use my passion and expertise to help others achieve their dreams, and I look forward to continuing to grow and innovate in this exciting field.

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 Juliana Mary Nahas, and I’m the founder and creative director behind Juliana Mary & Co. and The Styled Stock Shop. I got my start in the stationery design industry, where I quickly realized that many creatives struggled to showcase their work in a way that truly captured its beauty and appeal.

To solve this problem, I founded Juliana Mary & Co, a creative studio that provides custom styling and photography services to help brands build their visual identity and connect with their ideal audience. I work closely with each client to understand their unique needs and vision, and I use my expertise in styling and photography to create images that capture the essence of their brand and tell their story in a compelling way.

I also founded The Styled Stock Shop, where stationers, artists, and calligraphers can find the mockups they need to grow their brand. As a former stationery designer myself, I know firsthand how important it is to have beautiful, professional images that showcase your work and help you stand out in a crowded market. That’s why I’ve curated a collection of high-quality, customizable mockups that make it easy for creatives to showcase their work beautifully and professionally.

What sets Juliana Mary & Co and The Styled Stock Shop apart from other creative studios is my deep understanding of the industry and my commitment to delivering exceptional results on every project. I bring a creative, collaborative, and customer-centric approach to every project, and I work closely with each client to understand their unique needs and goals.

What I’m most proud of is the impact that my businesses have had on helping primarily women entrepreneurs grow their business, create consistent high-revenue generating brands, and live their dreams. By providing them with the tools and resources they need to showcase their work beautifully and professionally, I’ve helped countless women entrepreneurs achieve their goals and reach new heights of success. It brings me immense joy to see my clients grow their businesses, have more freedom, and do what they love. At Juliana Mary & Co and The Styled Stock Shop, I am passionate about empowering women entrepreneurs to create thriving, successful brands that help them live the life they’ve always dreamed of.

At Juliana Mary & Co and The Styled Stock Shop, I bring passion, expertise, and a commitment to excellence to every project, and I’m dedicated to helping women achieve their business and creative goals and build a thriving, successful brand.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that there’s no money in being a creative, when in reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. When I first started my business, I had a lot of doubts about whether it was really possible to make a living doing something I loved. I believed that being creative was more of a hobby than a viable career path, and I worried that I would never be able to earn a decent income doing what I loved.

However, over time, I realized that there’s a huge demand for creative services and that there are countless opportunities to build a successful business doing what you love. I learned that being a creative entrepreneur requires a unique set of skills, and that there’s real value in what we do.

The backstory behind this lesson is that I initially struggled to make ends meet with my business because I was so convinced that there was no money to be made in the creative industry. I had a scarcity mindset and struggled to charge what I was worth because I didn’t believe that my work had real value.

However, as I started to build my brand and connect with other creatives, I realized that there are countless examples of successful creative entrepreneurs who have built thriving businesses doing what they love. I learned that by focusing on providing real value to my clients and charging what I’m worth, I can create a sustainable and fulfilling career doing something I’m truly passionate about.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Absolutely! After completing my Master’s degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Arts Administration, I was incredibly passionate about working in the arts nonprofit sector. I loved the idea of using my skills to make a positive impact on the world and help promote the arts.

However, I started to feel increasingly frustrated by the limitations and bureaucracy of traditional organizations. I realized that I wanted more control over my work and the ability to make decisions that truly aligned with my values and goals.

That’s when I started to consider the possibility of starting my own business. It was a scary decision, as I had spent years training and working in the nonprofit sector, and I wasn’t sure if I had what it takes to make it as an entrepreneur.

But I knew deep down that my heart was called to a different path, and I knew that if I didn’t follow my instincts, I would always wonder “what if?” So I took a leap of faith and went all in on my own business.

It was a challenging and often scary transition, but I learned so much about what it takes to build a successful business, and I’ve been able to use my skills and passion for the arts to help other creatives achieve their goals and build thriving brands.

The lesson I learned from this experience is that it’s important to listen to your instincts and follow your heart, even when the path ahead is uncertain and scary. Sometimes, the road less traveled can lead to the most incredible opportunities and experiences. If you’re feeling called to a different path in life or career, don’t be afraid to explore it and see where it takes you. You never know what kind of amazing adventures and discoveries might be waiting for you just around the corner.

Contact Info:

• Website: julianamary.com and thestyledstockshop.com
• Instagram: @julianamary and @thestyledstockshop

Image Credits
Juliana Mary & Co. and The Styled Stock Shop