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

Hi Haille, thanks for joining 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 started my design business, I knew I wanted to support female entrepreneurs in the health and wellness space. So once I launched my business online, I started following and engaging with a bunch of local and non-local business owners on Instagram that fit my ideal clientele. Since I knew my niche so well, I started to post graphics on my Instagram profile that really resonated with my ideal clientele, and were pieces of content that were sharable by them. My first application submission came through (about a month after launching) from my LITERAL DREAM CLIENT! This is a client that I still work with to this day, and it has been an absolute dream working with her to build her beautiful brand and website. The fact that my first client ever was my absolute ideal client, gave me the courage and validation that I chose the perfect niche for myself, and that this was the journey I was meant to embark on.

Haille, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Designing has been apart of my life for over 16 years. I’ve been learning this craft ever since I joined my high school yearbook class, and went on to earn my BFA in Graphic Design. Straight out of college, I started working as a brand designer a part of corporate marketing teams, and did that until I stepped into motherhood with my twin girls about 3 years ago. I left my corporate job to be a stay at home mom, or so I thought. Turns out, leaving behind my creative profession left me with a loss of identity. I got to a very low point where I didn’t know what to do, but I knew I needed to start taking steps towards feeling like myself again. I felt like it was my opportunity to take a leap of faith and start my own design business. I have never considered myself an entrepreneur and never thought I would own my own business – and now, I can’t imagine ever going back to working in a corporate office.

My business was built around supporting female entrepreneurs in the health and wellness space. I get so fired up talking with mindful business owners, seeing their potential, bringing it to the surface, and transforming their vision into a fully embodied brand. I offer two ways for entrepreneurs to work with me. My Soul Site In A Day experience is a mini brand kit and website done for you in one day! This is an amazing opportunity to launch or relaunch your business in one day. The experience is meant for those who have time barriers, financial barriers or simply want to elevate their online presence in an intentional and heart-aligned way. The other offerings that I provide are my All-In packages. These suites are curated for those who want a fully embodied brand and website experience. They are ready to go ALL IN on their business, and want to have a bespoke presence that expresses their individuality and attracts their dreamiest of clients.

I help my clients step into their power as a business owner by seeing their heart, empowering them to feel confident in their business strategy, and setting them up for success. I craft their brand identity and website experience to feel true to their unique essence and vision, so their people will instantly be drawn to them, resonate with the message they’re communicating, and trust that they can help improve their lives.

One of the biggest driving factors in continuing to. grow my design business is how purpose driven I am. My purpose in supporting female entrepreneurs to use their voice and their gifts to hold space for others and help improve their lives is deeply rooted in my passion for personal growth, self love, and working towards living as your highest self. My clients continue to inspire me and heal me through their beautiful energy and compassion.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Looking back on my journey, I’ve realized just how much resilience has been a defining factor. It all started when my twins came into the world, and suddenly, everything changed. It was overwhelming, to say the least. I made the tough decision to leave my corporate job and stay home with them, thinking it was the right move. But soon, I found myself spiraling into burnout and feeling incredibly unfulfilled.

Admitting to myself that I wasn’t cut out for full-time motherhood was tough. I grappled with guilt and shame, but deep down, I knew I had to prioritize my mental health. So, I started making small changes, carving out time for things that brought me joy, like designing. But it wasn’t until I took a leap of faith and decided to start my own design business that everything truly shifted.

Embarking on this entrepreneurial journey while raising two tiny humans was no easy feat. There were doubts, setbacks, and moments of sheer exhaustion. But I was determined to make it work. I threw myself into learning everything I could about running a business, from building brands to managing processes.

Despite the challenges, it’s been the most incredible journey of self-discovery. Each day, I’m amazed at how much I’ve grown and what I’ve accomplished. Choosing to prioritize myself not only made me a happier mom but also a better partner and friend. And now, I get to wake up every day and do work that I love, helping others in the wellness space build brands they’re passionate about.

Looking back, I’m filled with gratitude for every tearful night and moment of uncertainty because they led me to where I am today. I never imagined I’d be running my own business, but here I am, living proof that resilience and self-belief can truly change your life.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Networking and collaborating with aligned partners and like-minded business owners have been the backbone of my social media growth journey. From the outset, I realized that building a community wasn’t just about posting content—it was about forming genuine connections with others in my niche.

Early on, I made a concerted effort to seek out individuals and businesses whose values aligned with mine. Whether it was through attending industry events, joining online communities, or simply reaching out via social media, I actively sought out opportunities to connect with fellow entrepreneurs who shared my passion for wellness and design.

These connections not only provided support and inspiration but also opened the door to collaboration. By partnering with others on joint projects, hosting Instagram takeovers, or participating in virtual summits, I was able to tap into new audiences and expand my reach in ways I never could have on my own.

But perhaps the most powerful aspect of networking and collaboration was the opportunity to amplify my voice and share my story authentically. I’ve always believed that authenticity is the key to standing out on social media and in business. So, I made it a priority to be unapologetically myself in every post, every caption, and every interaction.

I shared my journey—the highs and the lows, the successes and the struggles—with unwavering honesty. I didn’t try to mimic what others were doing or mold myself to fit a certain image. Instead, I embraced my uniqueness and used my voice to make a difference.

And you know what? It worked. By being authentically me, I attracted my ideal audience—people who resonated with my story, my values, and my mission. These were the individuals who became not just followers, but loyal supporters and advocates for my brand.

So, if there’s one piece of advice I could offer to those looking to build their social media presence, it’s this: Be unapologetically YOU. Use your voice, your story, and your passion to connect with others and make a meaningful impact. Network with intention, collaborate with purpose, and above all, stay true to yourself. Because it’s your authenticity that will set you apart and attract your tribe—the people who will help you nurture the change you want to make in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.haillenorrisdesignco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haillenorrisdesignco/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haillenorrisdesignco/
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Liv Strange Photography