We recently connected with Heather Hicks and have shared our conversation below.
Heather, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve seen the world through the lens of creativity — colors, textures, and balance have always spoken to me. As a child, my parents encouraged my wildly creative spirit, and every piece of art I created was acknowledged and applauded. When I first started college, I declared a major in graphic design. It felt like the right path for someone who had always been drawn to art and visual storytelling, but one pivotal assignment changed everything.
My instructor tasked us to create a life-size sculpture — a project that seemed impossibly intimidating. I remember staring at the blank space before me, frozen by fear and doubt. That moment became more than just an art assignment; it became a mirror, reflecting my hesitation to step fully into the unknown. I changed my major soon after, convincing myself that maybe design wasn’t meant for me.
For years, I poured myself into a career in healthcare — a field built on compassion, genuine service, and reliability. I worked alongside the absolute best physician for nearly 16 years. It was meaningful work, and I was proud of what I did.
My path took me in a different direction for a few years and then back to Arkansas, where I call home. I was still working in healthcare, but when that chapter ended abruptly — a job loss that felt unfair and was completely unexpected — I was left standing in the silence of uncertainty, questioning my purpose, yet again. What I didn’t know then was that this ending would become one of the biggest blessings of my life. Sometimes, life must break something open to make room for what’s next.
Life has a way of circling back to what’s meant for us. My turning point came soon after, during one of the most difficult yet transformative seasons of my life. I was caring for my mom after an extensive surgery — a time that yielded both deep love and deep reflection. In those moments, I found myself thinking about my true purpose. About what really matters. About what I had set aside out of fear years before.
One evening, without overthinking it (something I tend to do all too often), I opened my laptop and started researching what it would take to finish my design degree. As I read through course lists and creative programs, something inside me reignited — a spark I hadn’t felt for a while. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t have a plan or a clear direction. I simply had faith that if I followed that spark, it would lead me to where I was meant to be.
That was the moment my design career was born — not from certainty, but from courage. From finally believing in myself enough to take that chance.
Wild & Blue was created from a lifelong love of art and design, and from a belief that creativity has the power to connect us to something deeper — to ourselves, to others, and to our purpose. Every design I create is personal and intentional, built to tell a story. My goal is for every client to feel seen, heard, and proud of the brand we create together — one that reflects their story and will stand the test of time.
Starting this business later in life has not been easy. It has made me face old fears, learn new skills, and have complete trust in myself and the direction the Lord is guiding me. But what I’ve learned is that it’s never too late to chase what sets your soul on fire. Creativity never leaves you — it lies dormant inside you until you are ready to believe in yourself again.
Taking this risk made me realize that uncertainty isn’t actually something to fear. It made me realize that growth begins the moment you have the courage to try. Every pause, every setback, every redirection has led me closer to what was meant for me all along. Choosing yourself is always worth the risk!
Wild & Blue Designs is more than my business; it’s a piece of my story — my purpose. It is a testament to resilience, faith, and the courage to begin again. It’s proof that when you listen to your inner calling — even when it scares you — it can lead you to something more beautiful than you ever imagined.
Heather, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Wild & Blue Designs is more than a creative space — it is a reflection of my belief that design has the power to connect, inspire, and transform. Every piece I create is influenced by this tagline — WILDLY CREATIVE. INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED. BOLDLY YOU.
I specialize in website design, logo design, brand identity, and creative collateral. My goal is for each client to feel seen, understood, and proud of the brand we build together – a brand that not only captures their story today but will continue to stand the test of time.
Design isn’t about recognition or awards. It isn’t about chasing money or hoping to make the headlines. It’s about trust and shared collaboration. It is a privilege to be entrusted with someone’s story, their ideas, and their dreams, and create a design that truly encompasses it all. The best part? That electric moment when a client sees it too. The jump-up-and-down excitement, the phone call that lights up my day, the smile that spreads across their faces, or even a simple “I love it.” Those reactions are everything. That’s the magic. That’s the fuel that keeps my world spinning ‘round. That’s what makes me proud. And that is why I love what I do.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The hardest lesson that I had to unlearn was to stop designing for other designers. Does that make sense? I would research the latest trends in design until my eyes were crossing. And I did this before I even had a clear picture of what I wanted my end result to be. That led to a lot of frustration and headaches. Every designer has their own process and trademark. The goal in design is not to create something bigger or better or to always follow the latest trends. An image starting point or a template may seem like the best place to start, but once I learned that is not always the best choice, my brain thanked me. I now, instead of keeping my hand glued to the mouse, reach for my sketchbook and pencil and draw my heart out. That has been the most effective form of inspiration for me.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part of being a creative is transforming ideas into something that is real and meaningful. It’s the connection that happens when a design resonates with the client, the excitement of the journey, and the sense of pride, knowing that I helped bring their story to life.
