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

Jahnae, appreciate you joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

I have been doing graphic design as a hobby since the fourth grade, and it never crossed my mind to pursue it as a career. Reflecting on my past, I transitioned from one day job to another without ever feeling fulfilled or satisfied. I disliked my lack of control over my workday and, more importantly, the fact that I never found joy in any of my jobs. That changed when I decided to quit my last 9-to-5 job back in 2018. Within the same week, a close friend asked me to create a YouTube intro for him. I didn’t hesitate for a moment; creating the intro came to me easily, almost like muscle memory.

When I sent the final design to him, he loved it and I had an epiphany- I realized I had a strong aptitude for editing and found myself questioning why I had never considered a career in graphics before. From that point on, everything fell into place as if it was destined. I started an Instagram account to post my designs, reached out to a few creators to offer my services, and that is where it all began. It has now been six years, and I am still going strong and extremely grateful for this journey. I also just recently started a Youtube channel where I hope to teach and inspire others through my content.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Jahnae Shayna. I am a 28-year-old passionate, self-taught graphic designer and multi-faceted creative based in Toronto, ON. I started my freelance graphic design business back in 2018, but I had been pursuing graphic design as a hobby for many years prior to that. When I was younger, I created many short films and music videos with my friends, and I was always appointed as the editor. This passion for graphic design followed me all through middle school and high school; my friends and I used to take selfies in our schoolyard, and every day after school, they would send me all of the photos so that I could edit them. The decision to turn my hobby into a career was a pivotal moment for me, as I have been able to make a living through graphic design ever since.

Through my business, I offer a variety of graphic design services, including logos, websites, flyers, and more. However, I am best known for my YouTube essentials, such as Youtube intros, outros, and banners. My ultimate goal is to help empower clients to build their confidence and effectively communicate their personal and professional brand stories through design. My journey has been enriched by the opportunity to help numerous businesses and creatives represent themselves by bringing their visions to life through high-quality graphics.

What truly sets me apart is my ability to transform any idea into a design and elevate even the smallest concept into something remarkable. I believe that every digital experience should be more than just pixels; it should be captivating, memorable and strategic. I genuinely appreciate the trust my clients place in me to help them unlock their full creative potential. All they need is an idea as small as a mustard seed. I am passionate about my work and find great joy in turning those ideas into reality and watching them grow.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my audience from the ground up. When I created my Instagram page back in 2018, I started with just friends and family supporting me. I quickly realized that the only way to gain more followers and build a community was to post my designs and give my audience something to return for. So, I committed to posting three times a day for years, and my page grew rapidly through support, referrals, and word of mouth.

What I am most proud of is the small community I have built over the years. Even when I don’t publish a design or receive visible credit, my work remains recognizable to those who support me. Every inquiry, every order placed, and every interaction serves as a reminder of God’s grace and what a privilege it is to be where I am.

If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone just starting out, it would be to show up, stay consistent, and trust the process. Nothing happens overnight. You will experience seasons of confusion, uncertainty, and even periods of slow progress, but just remember that in the end, it will all be worth it. Take that leap of faith, push through the challenges, and you will see the rewards.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Perfection paralysis has been my greatest teacher so far. If you don’t know what perfection paralysis is, it is “a state where someone becomes so fixated on achieving perfection that they are unable to start or complete tasks, often leading to procrastination and inaction due to the fear of making mistakes or not meeting an impossibly high standard; essentially, the desire for perfection prevents them from taking action.” In other words, if it doesn’t feel perfect, I don’t move.

There have been many times when I felt that a design wasn’t good enough or perfect enough to post. This mindset burned me out, made me forget my worth, and kept me stagnant. I’ve come to realize that we are not called to be perfect, so I’ve been working hard to unlearn the idea of perfectionism, stop overthinking and get out of my head. As a result, many pieces of content I initially doubted have performed remarkably well, placing me in my dream positions. Through this journey, I’ve learned that it’s far better to try than to remain stuck in on place due to fear. We’re always in a position to succeed, and if not, we gain another lesson.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jahnaeshayna.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahnaeshayna
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jahnaeshayna
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jahnaeshayna