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

Hi Carolina, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

In early 2021, I rediscovered my love for graphic design after my full-time position had been reworked to include creating social media graphics and signage for the company I worked for. I had taken a few design classes in undergrad, and was actually pretty good for someone who’d never worked with Adobe Illustrator before, but that was the extent of my design experience up until that point. I had so much fun exploring my creativity and learning more about design. In a sense, I just kind of fell into the design world, and I’ve decided to turn it into my career!

My brand name “Solmate” came to me a few years ago while daydreaming about an imaginary business that hadn’t been created yet. I’ve always told myself I didn’t want a boring desk job, and at the time I was exploring different “business ventures” (rather, hobbies I was looking to monetize). At the time, Solmate was a pottery studio, a jewelry business, a vintage clothing store, or an eco-friendly stationary collection (which is still a dream of mine!).

Around this time I started following a few graphic designers on YouTube and TikTok and wished so bad that I could be as creative as them. I started thinking about what kind of design I’d like to do, and started creating some artwork just for fun. I was really inspired by Kel Lauren and others creating merch for the music industry, so I started making art inspired by my favorite artists. Once I had a couple designs going, I decided to open an Etsy shop to sell my digital prints. That’s where Solmate originated! I opened “Solmate Prints” on Etsy for a whole year before taking my shop down. I wasn’t really selling anything (and truthfully, they weren’t that good lol) so I decided to close up shop and save the name for something bigger down the road.

For the next couple of years, I just continued my job as an in-house designer. I had a great working relationship with my co-worker, Julia, who wanted to branch out and start her own marketing consulting agency. She had approached me with her vision and asked me if I would be interested in creating a brand for her. My immediate answer was “duh!” and from there, the rest is destined by design! Little did I know, I’d be creating my own freelance business a few weeks down the line. Twin Roots Consulting was my very first branding client, and I am so grateful for that door Julia opened for me.

I’m a big fan of writing and journaling, and I remember writing “Solmate Creative” over and over again one night. I couldn’t get the name out of my head, and I didn’t know what it would amount to, but I knew there was something special in the name. “Solmate” is a play-on-word for soulmate with a nod to my family name, Solis. From the start I knew I wanted my brand, whatever it would become, to be personal and intentional. I believe all my clients and growth opportunities are divinely aligned with perfect timing, like soulmates! (It’s a bit “woo-woo” spiritual, I know hahaha, but that’s who I am!) I’ve always loved celestial motifs, too– suns, moons, and stars. “Sol” is the Spanish word for sun, so it was a no-brainer that I would incorporate bright colors and starbursts, suns, etc. in my brand. Solmate Creative was just a witty thought I had while meditating on my business, and now I’ve made it my whole brand!

After my Twin Roots project, I absolutely fell in love with the branding process. Picking the colors, the fonts, creating little icons, dreaming up the perfect brand identity for my friend. I started following a TON of brand designers and signing up for a bunch of classes and courses just so I could absorb it all. In about 6 months I taught myself how to design for WordPress and Showit so I’d be able to create websites, too. I definitely have the “how hard can it be” gene, and honestly, running your own business is hard but the creative part comes easy to me!

I cringe a little when I look back at my first couple of projects, but it’s also a good reminder that my skills are constantly evolving! I am still very much in the early stages of my design career and my business. I officially launched Solmate Creative in November of 2024, and have been slowly growing and learning since. I know I have a long way to go and I don’t think I’ll ever feel “ready” or “perfect” as a brand and web designer, but I recognize there is a level of confidence you need to run your own business. There have been so many nights were I’ve wanted to pull the plug and just work my 9-5 and get on with my life, but the truth is I actually like what I do. It is so fun playing around with visuals and pushing myself to be better and better. I can’t wait to meet my future clients and see how far I’ve come in a year, five years, ten, and so on.

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

My name is Carolina Solis. I am a graphic designer specializing in brand identity, with experience in print marketing (flyers, brochures, etc.), digital marketing, and web design, too. I am new to freelancing and the branding world, but i have BIG ideas and I’m excited to work with passionate individuals.

My main services include branding, logo, and web design. I also offer additional graphic design services to my branding clients for any other marketing collateral they need. This could include flyers, social media templates, merch, packaging, business cards, or whatever they need to make their business a success!

In a world full of clean, muted, elegant design, I break the mold with bright, bold colors and funky fonts. My work leans feminine and very playful. I love a good pattern, glitter, and pop music. As a designer, I’m always pushing myself to try new things and get outside of my own design box.

I am very grateful for every client that comes my way. I believe we were brought together by God/the universe/fate, and the result of our collaboration together is destined by design! Solmate Creative is a safe space for all, and I would love the opportunity to work with other BiPOC and LGBTQ+ creatives and entrepreneurs.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I feel any creative will have the same answer: referrals! My client work has been 100% supported by people I know in real life. I’ve also gotten a few inquiries on TikTok. I think the best way to secure new clients is connecting with people. Respond to the comments, the DMs, go to networking events and get your name out there. You never know who you’ll be connected with.

I’m also a huge fan of Threads. The communities on there are so supportive and interactive, and even if you’re reaching people in your field, you’re making connections that might also lead to referrals!

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

I think the hardest thing about freelancing is getting consistent work and a setting up a consistent stream of income, so I think it’s so important to establish some base for your business. Right now, I am on retainer as a graphic designer for Twin Roots and another client of mine. I’m also in a “building” period where I am working towards setting up a passive income for Solmate Creative. For my business, this looks like website and social media templates. It’s good practice for me as a designer, and my end result will be something I can make money on over and over again. Whenever I have enough passive income coming in regularly, or when I build up my savings a little more (whatever comes first), I’ll be able to branch out and *really* get into my design business full-time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://solmatecreative.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solmate.creative/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-solis-881b01356
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@solmate.creative

  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@solmate.creative

  Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/solmatecreative/