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

Izzy, appreciate you joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

Absolutely! At Izzy Waite Design, I have always admired the ability of small businesses to break away from corporate and industry norms. It’s fascinating how they can bring their unique visions to life and create something truly special. As a brand and website designer, it’s quite common to draw inspiration from the latest trends, hot topics, and fads. While I do keep myself informed about current design trends, I prefer to take a different approach.

Rather than relying solely on trends, I find my inspiration directly from the business owners themselves. Working closely with passionate entrepreneurs has taught me that there’s something truly magical about their connection to their businesses. When you ask them about their ventures, you can see a sparkle in their eyes, and it’s that sparkle that fuels my creative process.

I firmly believe that a brand’s design should reflect the passion, purpose, personality, and values of its owner. That’s why I make it a point to truly get to know my clients on a deeper level before diving into the design process. By understanding their unique story, their aspirations, and what drives them, I can ensure that the design we create feels authentic and resonates with their target audience.

Let me share a story about one of my recent clients, Holly, who owns Happy Books Solutions.

Holly approached me with a concern that the branding in the bookkeeping industry was often dull and uninspiring. She wanted her business to stand out and reflect her sparkling and bright personality. As we began chatting, I could sense her passion for bringing a fun and personable approach to bookkeeping, which was truly refreshing.

When it came time to create her branding, I knew I had to break away from the industry standard. I wanted her branding to be anything but boring. It needed to be vibrant, energetic, and truly reflect her unique style and approach. So, I delved deep into understanding her values, her target audience, and what made her light up as a business owner.

With all this knowledge, I crafted a brand identity for Happy Books Solutions that was bursting with life. Bright, cheerful colors and playful typography were incorporated into the design, capturing Holly’s fun and personable nature.

The result was a brand and website that not only stood out in the bookkeeping industry but also perfectly reflected Holly’s approach. Her clients were instantly drawn to the lively branding, and it became a conversation starter that helped her build connections and foster trust. Holly’s business transformed into a beacon of positivity and approachability in an otherwise mundane industry.

This is just one example of how I diverge from the industry standard and focus on my client’s unique personalities and values. It’s a gratifying process that allows me to bring out the best in each business owner I work with.

At Izzy Waite Design, it’s all about infusing your brand with life, vibrancy, and authenticity. By embracing your spark and personality, we can create designs that truly represent who you are and leave a lasting impact on your customers.

Izzy, 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?

I’m Izzy Waite, a branding and website graphic designer, and I specialize in working with passionate entrepreneurs and service providers. What sets me apart from other website designers is my commitment to starting with branding and truly understanding my clients on a deeper level to ensure their design stems from their passion and personality.

When it comes to running a business, establishing a strong brand is crucial. That’s why I always begin my work by focusing on branding. I believe that having a consistent aesthetic and tone is essential to getting noticed by your dream customers, standing out from competitors, and looking credible. By building a brand that is aligned with your values and mission, we create a solid foundation that reflects the authentic essence of your business.

But it doesn’t stop there. I take the time to dig deeper and understand my client’s passions. I find immense joy in learning what makes each client unique and why they are so passionate about their business. It’s this understanding that allows me to find creative ways to highlight their differences and create designs that truly represent them. My clients often feel like they have a friend in their corner, someone who genuinely cares about their success, rather than just a designer. It’s the special relationship we build that makes them feel truly supported throughout the process.

I have a range of branding and website packages I currently offer. The first is the Bold Brand Buildout, where I work directly with clients to craft their brand strategy. By the end, clients leave with a new logo and a guideline booklet that encompasses all aspects of their brand and how to apply it. This package has been transformative for many of my clients, helping them feel more established and credible in their industry. One client, who was initially hesitant about working with a designer, was amazed by how her branding perfectly captured her passion and energy. She felt that her values were showcased flawlessly through her new branding.

My signature package is called Branding & Website in a Week. And yes, it is exactly what it sounds like! In one week I work with my client to develop them a passion-filled brand and website design that is launched and live by Friday! You can read more about one of my favorite branding and website in a week clients, Cassie, and her experience here at: https://izzywaite.com/2022/10/26/i-love-my-new-branding-and-website-design/

Lastly, I also offer the “Build Your Package: Custom Website Design” service. This package is all about tailoring the design process to fit the unique needs and vision of each business owner. Whether it’s a simple landing page or a comprehensive 10-page site, I work closely with my clients to create a standout website that aligns perfectly with their brand. No matter the size or complexity, I’m dedicated to crafting a website that brings their vision to life and leaves a lasting impression on their audience.

At Izzy Waite Design, I make three promises to my clients. Firstly, I deliver authentically you branding by delving deep into what makes you unique and building a brand that reflects the energy and passion behind your work. Secondly, I provide a collaborative and fun process, meeting you where you’re at and translating your ideas and vision into a brand you’ll love. Finally, I offer results-driven design, blending aesthetics with strategic thinking to ensure your website not only looks amazing but also has a user-friendly layout that increases inquiries.

What I’m most proud of is the impact I get to make on the world by lifting up remarkable individuals. Over the past year alone, I’ve had the privilege of working with inspiring entrepreneurs who are making a difference. From a bar owner who started selling cookies during the pandemic to a retired nurse who opened a reiki practice, each client I work with has a unique story and a deep desire to make a positive impact.

At Izzy Waite Design, I’m here to support you in building a brand and website that truly represents who you are and helps you make a lasting impression on your audience.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Let me take you on a journey of a significant pivot in my life. It all started during my college years when I was studying marketing and graphic design. That’s when I first discovered my passion for website design and delved into the world of creating captivating online experiences.

However, as fate would have it, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everyone’s plans, including mine. Graduating amidst the chaos, I found myself in an unexpected situation, celebrating my achievement in my parent’s living room with no clear job prospects in sight. It was a challenging time that forced me to rethink my path.

Eventually, I secured a remote job as an app designer in the corporate world. But as time went on, I realized that it was far from fulfilling. The stress and unhappiness began to take a toll on my mental well-being, and It was a wake-up call, making me question whether this was the right path for me.

At a crossroads, I faced a critical decision. Should I continue down the path of working for someone else, risking my passion and soul being drained, or should I take a leap of faith and start the journey of working for myself?

In the face of uncertainty, I chose to take that leap. Drawing on my background in graphic design, I launched Izzy Waite Design, offering a range of “Creative Services.” To be honest, at that moment, I wasn’t entirely sure what that would entail, but I knew I had to follow my passion and trust in my abilities.

Throughout my upbringing and college years, the idea of working for myself had always lingered in the back of my mind. However, it felt like a distant dream, something to be achieved maybe 10 or 20 years down the road after gaining more experience and expertise in the industry. Little did I know that life had a different plan in store for me.

And now, here I stand, in a place I never could have imagined but always knew I belonged. I am filled with gratitude for the journey that led me here and the wonderful individuals I’ve had the privilege to collaborate with.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Throughout my journey, I’ve realized that there are many lessons I had to unlearn, particularly as I navigated through the process of growing up, attending college, and entering the corporate world.

These experiences taught me invaluable lessons that I carry with me every day. However, they also came with a set of expectations and “shoulds” that needed to be unlearned.

When I decided to leave the corporate world behind, I found myself feeling confused because there were so many societal “shoulds” ingrained in my mindset. For example: “I should have a certain income level”, “I should have everything figured out”, I should work long hours”, and “I should climb the corporate ladder.”

But as I took a step back and reflected on these expectations, I realized that not all of them aligned with what truly mattered to me. I had to redefine what was truly important in my life and identify the values I wanted to live by.

Letting go of these external pressures and expectations allowed me to embrace a new perspective, one that was centered around my own definition of success and fulfillment. I learned to prioritize my personal values, well-being, and the things that brought me joy and meaning.

In unlearning these societal “shoulds,” I discovered the freedom to design a life that aligned with my authentic self. It was a transformative process that allowed me to pursue my passion and create a business that reflected my values.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://izzywaite.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/izzywaitedesign/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/izzywaite/