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

Hi Elise, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with important influences in our lives. Is there a historical figure you look up to?

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

Through my business, Timberdoodle Studio, I am a storyteller and designer. Specializing in interpretive media design for public lands and conservation organizations, I use my artistic skills in illustration, graphic design, and writing to create educational materials that teach people about our natural and cultural history.

Projects range from large exhibit installations & outdoor trail signage to kid activity booklets & brochures. I work with clients ranging from small municipalities to federal land management agencies. Timberdoodle Studio is based in Forest Grove, Oregon (near Portland) and I have been serving organizations all around the country for the past decade. Part of my business mission is to inspire and foster a love for the natural world, which includes each other and ourselves (no small feat!).

Timberdoodle Studio is a very niche business, but I was able to piece it together through what felt like a wandering career. My undergraduate degree specialized in computer-generated art; my graduate degree was in Natural Resources. I was a park ranger for the National Park Service and US Fish & Wildlife Service, and I was a manager for a growing network of educational trails for kids. I was able to learn unique skills within each chapter which helped me build my dream business. If you have a variety of skills that seem a bit mismatched, I challenge you to experiment with combining them!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have made several major pivots in my career and life, but the one that comes to mind was when I had an opportunity to continue to climb “the ladder”.

I was working for an organization for about four years and the organization was growing. I was offered a higher position that involved more managerial tasks. I would manage new employees that would do the design and illustration work, instead of doing the creative work myself.

Although I know I am skilled at being a manager, I have seen other colleagues climb the ladder, and with that some have lost touch with the work that they love. I saw that even though this new position would provide financial and lifestyle stability, I would lose that love, too. 

Over the next month I quit and turned my side hustle into a full-time business. Turning Timberdoodle Studio into my full-time focus was a huge risk. It continued to be a large risk, but I am still proud of making that pivot.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

One of the stories that comes to mind starts with rejection and failure, but ends with a long-standing partnership.

Within the first year of running my business full-time, I was still exploring the idea of finding a full-time job elsewhere. I met with a local nonprofit and had an interview for an upcoming job, but I ultimately declined it. They loved my work, and we kept in touch about future contract work. Fast forward a year later, and they sent me a request for a proposal. I sent my proposal but they awarded the contract to a different business. Later, they came back to me after not being satisfied with their original choice.

I now have a general contract with this client and they continue to hire me for several projects each year. My services are not the cheapest, but the overall value is high. I think one of the lessons from this experience is that “no” does not always mean “never”. Sometimes it means “not now”.

Contact Info:

• Website: timberdoodlestudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timberdoodlestudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimberdoodleStudio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisewahl/

Image Credits
Kole Meinhart. Karin Onkka.