We recently connected with Amber McDonough and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Amber thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I wish I would’ve started my creative career sooner! Growing up I was always under the assumption that you couldn’t turn art into a career. I loved art but I needed money to you know… live. I worked in a few sales jobs and then ended up in corporate banking. While I was climbing the corporate ladder, I was still designing and drawing on the side and eventually set up my Etsy shop.

After seeing more and more people making a living from their craft, it hit me that I can do it too! After getting laid off from my corporate job, I changed careers and went after graphic design jobs to hone in on my design skills. I eventually landed my dream job at a major greeting card company as a designer. After having my son, I decided to turn my side hustle into my full-time job and I’ve never looked back.

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 Amber – owner and designer at Blú Rose Designs. Blú Rose started as a passion project with cards, invitations, and prints for friends + family. I also did brand design (logos, brand identity, etc.) for small companies. After getting laid off from my corporate job, I changed career paths and eventually landed a job as a designer for a major greeting card company.

In 2020, I decided to focus on Blú Rose full-time. Now, Blú Rose Designs is a luxe paper goods brand blending chic, sophisticated, and colorful designs. As a wife, mom, and sustainability enthusiast, I infuse each product with eco-consciousness. It’s not just a pretty face but a socially responsible choice for customers seeking personality in their correspondence and home decor.

I currently offer custom invitations to everyday cards and stationery. I’ve also teamed up with a non-profit, One Tree Planted, to plant a tree with every order. I believe in celebrating life’s special moments with beautiful design in a sustainable way.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

As a stationery designer, I wish I would’ve known about a couple of the amazing stationery and small business communities like the Greeting Card Association and Katie Hunt’s Proof to Product (Labs and Paper Camp).

I’ve learned so much from these two organizations and I feel that I might be further along in my business if I would’ve learned about them sooner.

If you are in the paper world – make sure to check them out!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative is seeing the joy and/or laughter that my art brings to people all over the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blurosedesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/blurosedesigns
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/blurosedesigns
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/blu-rose-designs
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/blurosedesigns_

Image Credits
Vanessa Ronowski