We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jarran Fountain a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jarran, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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.

Following my preschool graduation, my grandmother asked me, “Jarran, why didn’t you pick artist as your dream job?” At four years old, I had already internalized the idea that being an artist wasn’t a “real” career.
That moment stuck with me. I poured myself into creative outlets – art camps, private lessons, sketchbooks, and eventually, digital design. By high school, I’d breezed through every art and photography class available, mastering Photoshop and Lightroom before teaching myself Illustrator and InDesign. I sought volunteer internships and mentorships wherever I could, eager to understand what a creative career might look like in the real world.
When I discovered the “Collaborative Design” program at Kendall College of Art and Design, everything seemed to line up: four years, a strong portfolio, a great job, and a successful creative career.
Then 2020 hit, and my perfectly mapped-out plan unraveled.
It wasn’t just the pandemic that threw me off course. It was realizing how little I understood about what it really meant to be a working creative. Still, I kept pushing forward. After two more years, a couple of internships, and an underdeveloped portfolio, I landed what seemed like my dream role at a creative placemaking nonprofit.
On paper, it was perfect. In three years, I went from intern to program manager to director. I was doing community-based creative work and proving to myself that creative careers were possible.
But somewhere along the way, I stopped creating. I was helping other artists bring their visions to life, but I came home too drained to pursue my own. I had built a job that matched my values but not my fulfillment.
So, at 23, I quit.
It wasn’t impulsive. In 2024 alone, I applied for over 300 jobs. I went through interviews, received offers, and still chose to step away. In the middle of that uncertainty, my brother told me something simple that stuck: “Bet on yourself.”
That’s when it hit me – I didn’t need to find another job. I could be the job.
In three short weeks, I built my website, developed service packages, opened a business bank account, and launched Jarran LLC from the ground up. I started sharing my story online, blending my personal life and creative work, and people responded. Referrals grew, my calendar filled up, and by spring I was busier than ever.
The risk hasn’t disappeared. Every month brings new questions: Will I make enough? Will a client back out? Did I underestimate my time or undervalue my work? But I’ve realized that risk isn’t something to eliminate – it’s the proof that I’m building something of my own.

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?

I’m a multidisciplinary creative focused on intentional design, storytelling, and visual communication. Through my business, Jarran LLC, I work at the intersection of creativity and strategy, helping brands and organizations connect more deeply with their audiences.
My main work centers around graphic design, marketing, and social media content creation. I collaborate with small businesses, nonprofits, and creative entrepreneurs to strengthen their visual identity, clarify their message, and bring their stories to life across digital and physical platforms. I also take on commissioned art and design projects, modeling, and reworked or sustainable fashion pieces that let me explore creativity in more personal and expressive ways.
What sets my work apart is my focus on intention and adaptability. I approach every project with curiosity, learning what makes each client unique before designing solutions that reflect their story and values. I believe in finding balance between art and function, creativity and clarity, and I’m proud to create work that not only looks good but also helps people feel seen, connected, and understood.
I’m most proud of how my creative journey continues to evolve. Each project, whether it’s branding a small business or designing a mural for a community space, gives me the chance to collaborate, grow, and create with purpose. At the heart of everything I do is a simple goal: to connect to create, and create to connect.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had understood earlier how valuable our local creative community can be. When we stop approaching it with a scarcity mindset — thinking there aren’t enough jobs, opportunities, or space for all of us — we start to see the potential in collaboration and shared growth.

That shift comes from understanding your own value proposition. Once I recognized my strengths and what makes my work distinct, I stopped seeing other creatives as competition and started seeing them as resources, mentors, and collaborators.

Chances are, if you’re facing a problem or confusion, someone else has been there too and is willing to help. To have a village, you need to be a villager. Build that community, show up for others, and be a source. A source is consistent. A resource is limited.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I believe in a world where creative thinking and intentional design shape transformative solutions. Too often, creativity is treated like a commodity—something to consume instead of something that connects, heals, and inspires.

When we need an escape, we turn to music. When we are bored, we watch a movie. When we explore new places, we notice the art that defines their culture. Creativity shapes how we see and understand the world. Historically, creatives have stepped up during challenging times to bring light to stories words alone cannot tell.

That belief drives my work. I use design thinking and storytelling to help clients and communities uncover solutions that reflect the people they serve. My goal is to create spaces, visuals, and experiences that remind people creativity is not optional, it is essential.

Connect to create. Create to connect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jarranfountain.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarranfountain/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarranfountain/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jarranfountain

Image Credits

Headshot – Cota Creative Media
Shop Jarran Image – Cota Creative Media
Patterns Clothing Image – Cota Creative Media
Storm drain mural (me next to it) – Krash Gordon Media