We recently connected with Denishia Macon and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Denishia, thanks for joining 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?

Indeed, I have been fortunate enough to earn a full-time living from my creative work. However, it wasn’t a straight line and it definitely wasn’t like that from day one.

My journey began in 2014 when I started accepting freelance projects, balancing them alongside my full-time jobs. It was a strenuous period, filled with long nights and occupied weekends, but my commitment to developing Macon Designs never wavered.

One of the key strategies I employed was leveraging social media. I consistently shared my designs and concepts, creating a vibrant portfolio that could reach beyond my immediate network. This allowed me to gain visibility and traction. I also made it a point to attend networking events, which gave me a chance to interact with potential clients and industry peers, even as an introvert.

In the beginning, standing out among the multitude of talented graphic designers was indeed challenging. The process of onboarding new clients was initially somewhat rough as I had to learn through trial and error, continuously refining and improving my processes to make them as seamless and professional as possible.

Reflecting back, there are a few things that could have sped up the process. Firstly, having a mentor in the industry or someone who could refer clients to me would have been invaluable. This could have helped me navigate the intricacies of the industry and build client relationships more quickly.

Secondly, investing in learning business and marketing skills earlier on could have given me a significant head start. While my focus was majorly on developing my design skills, which is absolutely critical, understanding the business side of things is equally important when you’re running your own venture.

Lastly, I would say that establishing clear brand messaging and understanding my target audience from the start could have made a difference. I’ve learned over time that compelling branding and targeted messaging are crucial for conversion, and having this knowledge at the outset would have been advantageous.

However, while it might have taken a few extra years to fully establish Macon Designs, I truly believe that each step, each challenge, and each victory has shaped me into the designer and business owner I am today. It’s this journey that has built the resilience and tenacity that define Macon Designs. And for that, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

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

Certainly! I’m Denishia Macon, the creative force behind Macon Designs, and my journey into graphic design began at the University of South Carolina where I majored in Visual Communications. However, it was the real-world client interactions and the challenges they brought to me that truly honed my skills and cultivated my passion for this craft.

As a graphic designer with a unique approach, I provide a wide range of services including brand development, brochure and advertisement design & layout, newsletter design & layout, logo design & stationery design, outreach materials and publications, conference/meeting materials, photo editing, press kit/media kit design, special event materials (invitations and programs), and social media content design.

The primary problem I solve for my clients is establishing a solid foundation for their brand’s identity. This includes crafting a logo, selecting a color scheme, choosing typography, and creating a style guide. Through this process, I assist my clients in showcasing their individuality and attracting their desired audience.

I’m incredibly proud of the freelance work I’ve done, as it has provided me the opportunity to help various organizations make their events and branding materials truly stand out. Each project has been a journey of its own, a chance to unravel a unique story and build an identity from the ground up.

One of my most memorable experiences was working as a contract consultant on the Warner Media HBO team in New York. Although I worked remotely, the opportunity allowed me to gain hands-on experience with email marketing, key art manipulation, and managing and organizing content assets for a broad variety of brands. It’s such experiences that continually sharpen my skills and broaden my perspective as a designer.

What sets me apart is my diligence, creativity, and the ability to think outside the box. I approach each project with a fresh perspective, committed to pushing boundaries and creating designs that not only meet my clients’ needs but also bring their vision to life in ways they hadn’t imagined. My passion for design shines through each stage of my work process, from initial consultation to the final design delivery.

In terms of my brand, Macon Designs, I want potential clients and followers to know that we are not just about creating aesthetically pleasing designs – we are about crafting visual narratives. We’re here to tell your story, highlight your uniqueness, and help you stand out in an overcrowded marketplace. Our commitment to innovation, personalized service, and excellence is unwavering, and we look forward to growing alongside our clients.

In the end, Macon Designs is more than just a graphic design firm – it’s a partner in your brand’s journey, committed to helping you create a lasting impact.

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

Looking back, there are a few resources I wish I had tapped into earlier in my creative journey. For one, online learning platforms such as Coursera, Skillshare, and LinkedIn Learning offer a treasure trove of knowledge that I could have greatly benefited from. These platforms host a wide array of courses and tutorials covering not only graphic design but also adjacent fields like marketing and business management. Having access to this knowledge earlier would have given me a broader perspective and an even more robust set of skills to kickstart my career.

Secondly, I can’t overstate the importance of understanding the business and legal aspects of being a freelancer and running your own business. Knowledge about contracts, copyrights, and other business-related matters is vital, and resources like legal advice platforms and business strategy books could have been game-changers. If I’d known about these resources earlier, it could have helped me avoid some hurdles and streamline my business operations right from the start.

Lastly, design communities such as Dribbble, Behance, and Designhill are invaluable resources that I wish I had engaged with earlier. These platforms serve as global stages where designers can showcase their work, draw inspiration from others, and connect with peers in the industry. Being a part of these communities would have provided me with a supportive network of fellow designers and opened doors to collaboration opportunities much sooner in my career.

Nevertheless, discovering these resources while charting my own course proved to be a learning journey in itself, and each one has played a crucial role in my progression as a designer and business owner. Even though I only joined communities like African American Graphic Designers (AAGD) later in my career, these experiences have still contributed significantly to my growth. They helped me foster a sense of camaraderie with fellow designers and boosted my confidence in my abilities, further reaffirming my identity and place in the industry.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

My journey to funding Macon Designs was certainly a testament to the power of bootstrapping and careful financial planning. Initially, I utilized the resources at hand, working with my old college laptop. But as time passed and my business grew, the need for more advanced equipment became apparent. So, I applied for a business credit card and bought my first MacBook from Best Buy.

Paying off that credit card was a significant milestone for me. Not only did it symbolize my financial discipline but it also marked the beginning of my journey towards expanding my business resources. Once I had cleared the credit card debt, I began to invest in other essential accessories and equipment to further enhance the quality of my work.

To date, I have not applied for any business loans. My approach to funding has always been more organic, choosing to grow my business steadily over time. However, recognizing the need for additional capital to elevate Macon Designs to new heights, I recently applied for a few grants. If successful, these grants would enable me to offer more comprehensive services like mentoring programs and internships, and potentially even expand my team.

The journey of funding my business has been both challenging and rewarding, but it has taught me valuable lessons about perseverance, financial management, and the importance of investing back into the business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.macondesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macon_designs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/macondesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denishiamacon/
• Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/pixelcreationz Gumroad: https://macondesigns.gumroad.com

Image Credits
My headshot photo was taken by Henry Jones Photography of Charlotte, NC