We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Genevieve Douglass. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Genevieve below.

Genevieve , appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents were both very entrepreneurial… my mom had a wallpaper business in California she started in the 80’s when she was just 18; “Two Girls That can Hang.” (Such a great pun). And my dad has had a construction company his whole life. He’s retired now, but still dabbles in “handyman-ing” when he can. They were both great at encouraging not just me, but my two siblings to do what we wanted career-wise. They pushed for us to go to college but not in one size fits all way. They encouraged our individual strengths. More that we should go to a school that fits us and see where it goes.

Both my parents didn’t come from much. They both were independant and living on their own since 16, each of their lives up until then are stories unto themselves. But my dad was savvy with money and how to make it, save it and make it work for you. He opened credit cards for us all young, so we’d build credit to buy things for ourselves and work them off. His mindfulness with money helped me get to where I am today. I bought a house at 23 years old as an investment and now rent it out as an Airbnb in the city as a second income.

My mom is an artist. She’s more of a fine artist than I am, and works as a makeup artist now and also runs a space in a gallery space in Annapolis. It’s from her that I received my artistic abilities. I always wanted to be an artist, and I was never discouraged from that path.

When I wanted to leave my office job in 2016, they were supportive. I don’t think all parents would be so open to hearing their child was about to leave a really steady job. I was already working freelance at that point so I actually had two incomes, and they knew as well as I did they would be merging and most likely taking a hit. But I’ve never looked back. I love working for myself, on my own schedule and finding my own clients, as challenging as that can sometimes be.

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

I am Genevieve Douglass, of Genevieve Douglass Design. I have a degree in Graphic Design but have done much more, pushing the boundaries of all visual designs throughout my career. The most tangible way businesses represent themselves is through print material. Print design has an impact; not only from how it looks, but also how it feels, and how the consumer experiences it. I have spent the last 10 years( and 6 on my own), working on incredible projects with incredible clients of all sizes. I have worked with many amazing local Baltimore and Maryland clients as well as companies all over the United States. I have package designs in Target, Walmart and Home Depot and digital promotions all over the internet.

Applying a background in the fine arts and design as well as studies in marketing, business and psychology helps me create valuable collateral for my clients. The key differentiator is designing with purpose and passion.

As Genevieve Douglass Design I offer a variety of print based designs focused on brand and intention. Our design services are here to help make a brand stand out and bring in the client base they are looking for. I guide each client through the process visually to create their specific project. If they can imagine it, I can design it!

Have you ever had to pivot?

This isn’t a unique “pivot” but the biggest change I’ve ever experienced, is motherhood. I had my first baby in August this year. I am by nature a planner; it’s what makes me a good business owner. I multitask, I schedule in advance and am used to doing a million things at once. I was able to do that through my entire pregnancy and was even sending emails while in labor at the hospital. Because I never stopped working. I love working, but also I didn’t feel like I had the luxury of taking time off. I didn’t tell most of my clients I was even having a baby, I just stopped taking on new work around the end of Summer.

Having a baby has forced me to change who I am to my core, not just in business, but as a person. Especially in the first few weeks, after a rough unplanned C-section. I couldn’t get out of bed, let alone “multitask” a thing. Even 12 weeks postpartum there are days where I get almost nothing done. I can breastfeed and answer emails, but unless my baby is napping, I’m just being a mom. I’ve always known I wanted to be a mom and I feel so lucky that I get to be. It has changed the pace at which I do everything, including work and I’ve had to adjust how and what I get through in a day. That gigantic To Do list I used to push through from the second I woke up until the last minute of the day, is much much smaller. I’ve had to get used to that. But it’s a welcome change into the next phase of life. I have no plans of working less or scaling down, simply changing what my days (and deadlines) look like.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I have a collection of resources, as almost an entrepreneurs “starter pack.” They’ve each impacted me in certain ways and times over the last 6+ years but were really inspirational, especially at the beginning of my journey. I still think the original leap is the scariest, but there are many challenges along the way. Having resources to go back to in moments of weakness is crucial. We all doubt ourselves at some point, but having these “friends” have helped keep me strong and pushing forward.

Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Little Red Book of Selling by Jeffrey Gitomer
Arnold Schwarzenegger: 6 Rules Of Success
Jim Carrey’s Commencement Speech
The Rachel Hollis Podcast

Contact Info:

• Website: www.genevieve.is/working
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/genevieve.douglass.design/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/GenevieveDouglassDesign