We recently connected with Colleen Eakins and have shared our conversation below.

Colleen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it didn’t happen overnight. It took time, hustle, and a lot of learning along the way.

In the beginning, I wore every hat imaginable—designer, marketer, networker, and strategist. I joined networking groups, did guerrilla marketing, used social media to get the word out, and relied heavily on word of mouth. One of the most pivotal moments early on was meeting a fellow designer who was planning to return to corporate work. She generously passed her client list on to me, which gave me a huge boost and helped me build early momentum.

Even with that head start, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. When things slowed down, I picked up short-term creative gigs through a local agency to help fill in the gaps and keep things going. Those experiences not only kept me afloat, but also helped expand my skill set and network.

Looking back, I probably could’ve sped up the process by being more strategic earlier on—setting boundaries and valuing my time. But honestly, every step of the journey taught me something that made me better, not just as a creative, but as an entrepreneur.

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 back background and context?

I’m a graphic designer and creative strategist with over 20 years of experience, and I run my own design studio, Colleen Eakins Design. My journey into this field started with a natural love for visual storytelling and a desire to help others bring their ideas to life in a way that’s both beautiful and effective.

Colleen Eakins Design specializes in branding, print and digital design, marketing materials, and creative direction. I’ve worked with everyone from solo entrepreneurs and startups to nonprofits and well-established businesses—helping them sharpen their message, elevate their visual identity, and create design solutions that actually move the needle.

One of the core beliefs that drives my work is something I say often: “Anyone can make a pretty picture, but is it effective? If it doesn’t make your customer commit the action you want, it’s worthless.” Design should be more than visually pleasing—it should work. It should communicate, inspire action, and support real business goals.

What sets me and my work apart is the balance of creative intuition and business strategy. I don’t just jump into the visuals. I ask questions, dig into the “why,” and collaborate with clients to create solutions that are not only polished but purposeful. My process is thoughtful, clear, and always focused on helping clients connect with their audience in a meaningful way.

I’m incredibly proud of the long-term relationships I’ve built through Colleen Eakins Design. Many of my clients have been with me for years, trusting me not just as a designer, but as a creative partner who understands their vision and goals. I’ve helped brands launch, grow, rebrand, and pivot—and there’s nothing more rewarding than watching their success unfold with visuals that truly support their mission.

At the end of the day, I want potential clients and followers to know that I care deeply about the work I do. I’m not here to just make things “look good”—I’m here to create design that works hard, tells a story, and helps you connect with the people who matter most to your business.

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

In college, I wish I had known about Lynda.com, now LinkedIn Learning. It’s a great resource and platform for learning new things. I believe you can access for free with a library card and via a link the library provides.

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

When it comes to typing, I’m double-spacing after a period, old. I had to unlearn that when writing for a digital publication years ago. It comes from the typewriter days. I’m not quite that old, but when I learned to type, the rule was to double-space after a period.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://colleeneakins.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceakinsdesign/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleeneakins/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CEakinsDesign

Image Credits

Robin Allman