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

Alright, Janika thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

Jan-Ika Creates came from a lifelong love of the arts… and a complete lack of talent in most of them. I can’t sing (unless you enjoy the sound of off-key optimism), I can’t dance (unless flailing counts), and my painting skills top out at stick figures and enthusiastic blobs. But I love art—all of it.

So I thought, maybe writing was the answer. But even that wasn’t enough. I didn’t just want to write stories—I wanted to see them. I wanted to turn blank spaces into colorful scenes, ideas into visuals. I wanted to create magic without needing a paintbrush or a stage.

Then, graphic design found me.

It opened up a whole world where I could turn words into visuals, stories into scenes, and dreams into designs. That’s when Jan-Ika Creates truly came to life. It’s more than a name. At the heart of it, Jan-Ika Creates means this: Janika creates whatever she can dream up—with pixels, colors, fonts, and a healthy dose of “let’s see if this works.”

The name itself is a playful twist on my own—Jan-Ika—first used affectionately by one of my favorite university lecturers, Ms. Shillingford (thank you, Ms!). It stuck with me, just like the dream to create, inspire, and share beauty in my own way.

Janika , 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?

Hi! I’m Janika, the creative force behind Jan-Ika Creates—a colorful, heartfelt brand built on the belief that imagination deserves to be seen, shared, and celebrated. I design personalized digital products that include journals, coloring books, puzzle books, and activity kits for kids and adults. Whether you’re looking for a sassy self-care journal, an educational worksheet for your child, or a custom-themed puzzle book, I’ve probably dreamed it up—and designed it from scratch.

My journey into graphic design has given my imagination wings and now I’m the proud author of two children’s books: Mirror Mirror: A Girl’s Self-Esteem Story and Oz’s Reflection: A Boy’s Self-Esteem Story. I did all the graphic design for both books using Canva—a tool that became my creative playground. These books are whimsical renditions of my real-life experiences, and they represent years of trial, error, and joyful persistence. I’m completely self-taught, and every layout, color choice, and illustration is a labor of love.

What sets my work apart is the personal touch. Everything I create is rooted in joy, honesty, and a deep love for helping others express themselves—whether it’s through a coloring page, a journal prompt, or a puzzle that makes you stop and think. I design with real people in mind: moms who need a five-minute break, kids who need something fun and educational, and adults who crave a little creativity in their day.

I’m especially proud of my sassy, empowering journals like “Take 5 D*mn Minutes”, designed for people who want self-care without fluff or guilt. I’ve also developed themed puzzle books, digital planners, sticker sheets, and even interactive activity books with learning objectives. My products are functional, fun, and flexible—and most importantly, they reflect you.

To anyone discovering my brand for the first time: know this—Jan-Ika Creates is here to help you feel seen, supported, and inspired through every product. My goal isn’t just to design things. I want to design moments—of peace, of joy, of “aha!”, of “I needed this.”

If you can imagine it, I’ll find a way to bring it to life.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part is the magic of creating something completely one of a kind—something that has never existed before. There’s a quiet joy in looking at a finished piece and knowing, this came from my mind, my heart, my hands. It didn’t exist yesterday, and now it does.

Whether it’s a journal page, a puzzle book, or a whimsical children’s story, I get to bring my ideas to life in a way that’s uniquely mine. That feeling—that spark of originality—is deeply satisfying. It’s like leaving a little creative fingerprint on the world. Knowing that something I created might brighten someone’s day, help them feel seen, or spark their imagination? That’s the real reward.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy has been meeting clients where they are—both creatively and personally. I make it a priority to understand their vision, listen to their ideas, and involve them in the design process every step of the way. Rather than simply delivering a finished product, I invite them to be part of the creative journey. That collaboration not only results in designs they truly love, but also builds trust and lasting relationships. When clients feel seen, heard, and included, they’re more likely to return—and to recommend you to others.

Image Credits

All the covers and images provided are me and my works.