We were lucky to catch up with Janine Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Janine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

After graduating from college in 2007, I started to freelance in graphic design. I didn’t have many job prospects due to my lack of experience and the recession, so I decided to hire myself to get some experience and make some extra money. I was getting clients solely through word of mouth, so things were working out, and I enjoyed working for myself. I knew making freelancing into a full-on business was a move to look into. Business owners, organizations, EVERYONE is always in need of a graphic designer. However, I didn’t have the guts. I thought it was going to be a huge responsibility that was going to be completely overwhelming, and I didn’t want that kind of pressure. Little did I know, I was pretty much doing the one thing that scared me. I stuck with freelancing on the side until 2019, when I decided to create an LLC. I figured there was no time like the present to just take that leap of faith and work my business full-time after getting furloughed from my job as a flight attendant. At first, I was taking on various projects, but I soon figured out what I wanted to center my business around. I figured out a problem I could solve for a lot of startups and business owners. I wanted to be known as a branding designer. I absolutely love creating visual branding that includes a logo and its variations, design elements, color scheme and font choices, the whole nine. Creating an overall look and feel for a business. A lot of small businesses don’t have an identity and have trouble attracting their target audience. I want to solve that problem and help businesses and organizations thrive. Yea, I think this is a unique approach. But I’m not going to stop there. I’m all for evolution, so stay tuned for more.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Just some back history: I majored in graphic design in college and immediately fell in love with it while taking my first design class. I always liked to draw and be creative, so I figured graphic design was the best way to do what I loved and actually get a job in it. Graduating during a recession didn’t make it easy to find a job, so I freelanced after graduating in 2007 and formed my LLC in 2019 for J. Aliya Designs, LLC.

I specialize in visual branding. I also provide website design and development, social media marketing, and print design. What sets me apart from others is my design process. I don’t just make designs look good. Every bit of the design has a purpose in communicating a message. In short, I research target audiences to see what attracts them. Then, I come up with ideas for designs and potential color palettes and fonts based on what I find and what the client wants to communicate. It’s interesting to see how everything comes together. A few pages of sketches and elements transform into a solidified design. Something else that sets me apart is my bubbly personality. I’m just as personable as I am knowledgeable and confident in my skills. I can walk you through a consultation one minute and then nerd out about Harry Potter or Game of Thrones the next. LOL!!

I’m most proud of taking that official step to start my LLC and being open to learning more and to never stopping learning. I’ve continued my education through professional development and taking classes. There is always something new to learn, and trends change every year. I can’t sit still. I would like potential clients and followers to know that they’re in really good hands when they work with me, and that they will love their designs. Mama always understands the assignment. Let me work my magic.

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

A lesson I had to unlearn (the hard way, at that) was that I have to work and grind constantly and that multitasking is a good thing. Take no breaks. Don’t rest. Just keep working and working, especially as a black female business owner. Work on multiple things at once. Hell no. I did that for a while and completely burned myself out, even when I planned everything out in a planner. I had a mental and emotional shutdown. I can’t speak for others, but working all the time on multiple projects isn’t a good idea, and it isn’t healthy for me. I prefer to focus on one thing while maybe working on another project or goal on the side. I have more clarity and ease, and I can take my time off to rest and binge anime.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Even though I was working my business full-time in 2019, money wasn’t consistent. I found another avenue of income that I could do in my own time aside from my business, but life and its expenses came at me the hardest during this period. It was getting hard to keep up, so I had to scale back and look for full-time work again. It broke my heart, but I had to do what I had to do. I got a job in October 2021 and I’m currently still working. Even though I had to take a step back with my business, I’m glad I did. There is still a lot that I need to learn before going full-time with my business again, and I have a steady paycheck coming in.

Contact Info:

• Website: jaliyadesigns.myportfolio.com (soon to change)
• Instagram: j.aliya.designs
• Facebook: J. Aliya Designs LLC
• Linkedin: Janine Williams (J. Aliya Designs)