We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Destinee Rosemurgy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Destinee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar you earn in a new endeavor is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.
When I first moved to my current city, my business was just getting started and I was eager to build connections. I started looking for local women’s networking groups and was excited when I saw they had an event coming up that summer. Despite my excitement, I felt really nervous—I didn’t know anyone in the city yet.
I remember commenting on one of the event’s Instagram posts, saying how excited I was to attend, and a few other attendees replied, which helped ease my nerves a bit. When the day of the event arrived, I was definitely feeling anxious. As I stood in line, I started chatting with other local women business owners and slowly began to feel more comfortable. Then, I noticed a familiar face—it was one of the women who had replied to my comment on the Instagram post! At the time I wasn’t the type to go up and introduce myself, but I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and said hello.
We started talking, and when she asked what I did, I explained that I’m a brand and web designer. It turned out she was looking for new branding and a website! I gave her my business card, feeling excited about the possibility. Shortly after the event, she reached out, and that’s how I landed my first client who wasn’t a friend or family member.
I’ll always be grateful that she trusted me with her brand and website and saw potential in me, even though I was still in the early days of building my portfolio. This experience taught me the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone and showed me the true value of local, in-person networking. That one connection opened the door to so many other opportunities, and she even referred several other clients my way, which played a key role in jumpstarting my business.
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 Destinee, the owner of Destinee Design, a design studio dedicated to creating timeless and elegant brand + web design for beauty, wellness, and creative brands. My journey into design began unexpectedly—I originally entered college as a pre-med major, but an enrollment in a graphic design class sparked a passion I never anticipated. I’ve always loved both art and problem-solving, and design allows me to blend the two in a way that feels natural and fulfilling.
After graduating during the pandemic and undergoing brain surgery, I struggled to find a corporate job that felt aligned with me. These experiences led me to step into full-time entrepreneurship in January 2022. Since then, I’ve built Destinee Design with the purpose of supporting women entrepreneurs who want their brands to reflect who they truly are.
I find joy in putting beautiful things out into the world—creating brands and websites that not only look stunning but also feel deeply connected to my clients’ identities. Helping women entrepreneurs build brands that reflect their unique journeys and aspirations is incredibly rewarding for me.
Having faced my own challenges and hardships, I understand the difficult paths many women have walked. For a long time, I believed those struggles would hold me back, but now I see them as my strengths. This insight allows me to connect on a deeper level with the women I work with. I love supporting those who have taken their hardships and turned them into fuel for following their dreams. I’m here to help them translate that resilience into brands that empower and inspire.
My approach is all about authenticity, and I’m deeply committed to understanding my clients’ vision. I don’t just design brands and websites—I solve problems and create designs that make my clients feel at home in their businesses.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One of the more challenging parts of my journey happened after my brain surgery, when I started experiencing visual migraines. These migraines aren’t like a typical headache—they involve flashing lights and partial vision loss that can last for up to an hour. During these episodes, I can’t see what I’m doing, which forces me to step away from my work entirely. Unfortunately, there are very limited or no treatment options available to manage these type of migraines, which has been incredibly frustrating.
Through it all, I’ve learned a lot about resilience—both in managing my migraines and in running my business. Running a business requires constant adaptation. Things don’t always go as planned, but it’s about finding ways to move forward despite the obstacles and adjusting when necessary. The flexibility of working from home has been a lifeline, but I’ve also learned that resilience isn’t just about pushing through tough moments—it’s about adapting to challenges, being flexible, and finding new ways to thrive. These migraines have taught me to pace myself and be intentional with how I structure my day, just like I approach the challenges of running a business.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients for me has been client referrals. I’m incredibly grateful that the majority of my clients have come to me through the kind words of those I’ve worked with in the past. It means the world to me when someone trusts me enough to recommend my services to another business owner. I truly believe that making sure my clients have the best possible experience is key. It’s not just about creating work they love—it’s about being there for them, offering support, and understanding their unique vision.
At the end of each project, I like to send a thank-you gift to show how much I appreciate them. I usually include something with their new branding on it to celebrate the work we’ve created together. These little acts of gratitude help build meaningful relationships, and I’m so thankful that my clients often refer others to me because of the experience we’ve shared. Their trust and support have truly been the foundation of my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://destineedesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destineedesign
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/destineedesign
Image Credits
Ember & Birch Photography