We recently connected with Ja’Shaundria Morris and have shared our conversation below.

Ja’Shaundria, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents did a lot right, but what stands out most is how they showed up for me during the moments when things didn’t go as planned. When I got hurt, failed a test, wanted to quit, or didn’t get hired or accepted into a school or job, they never let those moments define me. Instead of letting me sit in disappointment, they reminded me that setbacks are part of the journey. They listened, supported me emotionally, and then pushed me to get back up, learn from it, and keep moving forward.

Because of those experiences, I’ve learned resilience and perseverance in a very real way. I don’t see failure as the end anymore, I see it as feedback and redirection. The way my parents encouraged me to keep trying, even after rejection or disappointment, has shaped how I approach life and my career today. I take challenges head-on, bounce back quicker, and trust that even closed doors are preparing me for something better. Their support built my confidence and taught me that growth often comes from the hardest moments.

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 Ja’Shaundria Morris, an Atlanta-based graphic designer, brand strategist, educator, and entrepreneur. I was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, and from an early age, I knew creativity would always be at the center of my life. What began as a hobby in 2016 eventually became Imonogrambyjayy, LLC, a full-time creative studio where I help individuals, businesses, and organizations bring their ideas to life through intentional branding and design. Design has always been more than visuals for me. Design is storytelling, problem-solving, and creating connections that feel authentic and impactful.

My journey into the industry started in high school through graphic design courses that sparked my love for the arts. I went on to study graphic design in college, graduating Cum Laude, and later earned my MFA in Advertising Design from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Atlanta. Along the way, I turned my passion into purpose by teaching graphic design and creating hands-on learning opportunities for students. I launched a print shop at the school I currently teach at, which give students real-world experience running a business, communicating with clients, and understanding the full creative process from concept to production. I’ve also led workshops designed to help educators learn simple, practical ways to integrate graphic design into their own classrooms.

Through Imonogrambyjayy, I offer branding, marketing, and printing services including logos, flyers, banners, websites, ebooks, apparel, school spirit items, and custom print materials. I also design many fun things that blends creativity, strategy, and storytelling in a way that’s both fun and meaningful. What sets me apart is my ability to combine strategy with creativity. I don’t just design for aesthetics; I design with intention. I help clients clarify their message, strengthen their brand identity, and confidently show up in their spaces. What I’m most proud of is building a business rooted in education, empowerment, and creativity which proves that design can open doors, create opportunities, and inspire the next generation of creatives.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

Currently, Etsy is my main platform for selling my work. I used to have my own website, but running it to its full potential while balancing full-time teaching and managing the school print shop became overwhelming. Etsy allows me to streamline my business, reach a wider audience, and focus more on creating designs rather than managing multiple platforms. While it comes with fees and some limitations compared to running my own site, the convenience and exposure make it the best choice for me right now.

Most of my customers now come through referrals, which has been incredible. Networking within the Atlanta community has opened doors and put me in rooms I never imagined I’d be in, helping my business grow in ways a website alone couldn’t.

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

One of the biggest pivots in my life and career came when I decided to step fully into my education and purpose. I was running my business at full capacity while also choosing to pursue my MFA full time because I wanted to immerse myself completely in the creative industry. I had worked in both department settings and agency firms and learned firsthand that a department environment was better suited for me. Like many creatives, I once dreamed of working for companies like Pixar or Disney, but along the way, my vision began to shift.

I chose a path of giving back first by teaching my passion. When I entered the classroom, I realized that in order to truly show up for my students, I had to pause my business. Just like my design work, I wanted to perfect my teaching craft and give my students one hundred percent of myself. For an entire year, I stopped my business so I could focus on becoming the best educator and designer I could be. During that time, I continued designing and creating through my students and through the school print shop I started, which allowed students to gain real world experience running a business and working with clients.

Now, I am back to my business at about fifty percent capacity because my main focus is creating the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and graphic designers. This pivot has allowed me to grow not only as a designer, but also as a person and educator. I have created more than I ever imagined and discovered opportunities I never knew existed. This journey taught me that sometimes the path you are most hesitant to take is the one that opens an entirely new world and leads you exactly where you are meant to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Imonogrambyjayy?dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imonogrambyjayy?igsh=c3YwcGlzYjkyY3Rs&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jashaundriamorris?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app