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

Brittney, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?

In my opinion, the biggest challenge in the past few years in the creative industry hasn’t been competition from other professionals. It’s from tools that promise “instant design” without the expertise.

Between AI-generated graphics and Canva clipart, it’s easy for businesses (even established ones) to assume they can DIY and get the same results. That mindset often forces designers to lower their prices just to stay competitive, which ultimately cheapens the value of our work.

I’m often approached by clients who’ve used AI or Canva to create a rough concept and want it cleaned up or vectorized. But instead of trusting the design process from the start, they expect a polished, professional outcome at a fraction of the cost.

I also spend more time now educating clients and junior designers on why branded, strategic design is more valuable than a plug-and-play template. Explaining the thinking behind typography, color, and iconography choices (and how they tie back to brand goals) is essential. But that education takes time, and it’s often the kind that doesn’t show up on an invoice.

Competing with pre-made templates and generic AI graphics means constantly defending your rates and reminding clients of the deeper value professional designers bring. Too often, businesses go with a “close enough” option without considering the long-term cost of inconsistent or ineffective design.

But in reality, these tools often create more confusion, inconsistency, and missed opportunities. That’s why true designers start with strategy and brand guidelines, and stick to them. Because design isn’t just about making something pretty. It’s about communicating clearly, building trust, and supporting business growth.

The creative industry is in a strange and shifting time, but I genuinely believe that the designers who stay focused on helping clients grow will keep thriving. I’ve learned to lean into what these tools can’t do: think strategically, adapt to context, and create brand experiences that are aligned with a business’s bigger picture.

That’s the edge I bring to every project and the reason my long-term clients keep coming back.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a graphic designer, website designer, and digital marketer with over 15 years of experience helping businesses show up with confidence and clarity in their branding. I run a creative studio called Honey + Hare, where I work with marketers, entrepreneurs, and growing businesses to build visual identities, websites, and content that connect and convert.

I started out in the design world with a background in Visual Communication Design and Media Informatics and quickly fell in love with the intersection of creativity and strategy. I’ve worked in agency environments, led internal creative teams, and eventually stepped fully into freelance and contract work so I could work more closely with clients who value thoughtful design.

My work spans everything from full brand identity systems and website builds (on WordPress, Shopify, and Squarespace) to branded marketing templates, pitch decks, and digital content. I also provide design consulting, audits, and brand cleanups for teams who are overwhelmed with messy assets and inconsistent visuals.

Most of my clients are marketers at growing companies who don’t have an in-house design team or small business owners who are ready to move from DIY to something more polished and professional. They’re looking for a creative partner who can understand their brand and make their day-to-day marketing efforts smoother and more strategic.

What sets me apart is that I’m not just a designer who makes things “look good.” I help connect the dots between how your brand shows up and how it performs. I ask the right questions. I bring structure and clarity to the process. And I aim to create visual systems that are as usable as they are beautiful.

I also live a pretty unique split life: I’m a designer and a horsewoman. When I’m not designing brands or websites, I’m working on our family horse business, Round2Ranch, where we train and sell horses, raise our kids around livestock and hard work, and are building something meaningful from the ground up. Both worlds are rooted in patience, grit, and building trust, which I think says a lot about the way I run my business too.

I’m proud of the long-term relationships I’ve built with my clients and the trust they place in me to help them move their brand forward. Whether you’re a marketer needing a go-to creative partner or a business owner finally ready to invest in a cohesive, strategic brand, I’m here for it.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

I’ve always believed in building a business that’s both creative and resilient, and for me, that’s meant having multiple revenue streams.

My primary work is running my creative studio, where I focus on branding, website design, and marketing support for growing businesses. But alongside that, I also run Round 2 Ranch, our family’s horse training and sales business in Kentucky. What started as a passion project has turned into a meaningful second income—training and selling horses, building our ranch brand, and raising our kids with hard work and heart.

Being a single mom means I’ve had to be resourceful and realistic. Sometimes, I design websites by day and ride project horses in the evening. Other times, I’m loading horses for a client one minute and on a Zoom call with a marketing team the next. It’s a hustle, but it works.

Both sides of my business fuel me in different ways, and I’m proud to say that I’ve built something sustainable by staying flexible, strategic, and connected to what matters most: my clients, my kids, and the life I’m building for us.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My biggest mission has always been freedom and flexibility. I chose a creative career because I wanted to build something on my terms, without being tied to one boss, one schedule, or one version of success.

Being able to show up for my kids matters more to me than any job title ever could. I want to be there for the school events, the ballgames, the moments that pass quickly but mean everything. Running my own design business has allowed me to do that while still building a career I’m proud of.

At the heart of it, my creative journey is about creating opportunity: for myself, for my kids, and for the clients I get to support along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brittneygaddisdesign.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/honeyandhare
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honeyandharebend
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittney-gaddis-9b820044/