We were lucky to catch up with Jess George recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jess, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success looks different for everyone. Some people measure it by how much money they make, others by the flexibility of their time, and some by how popular they are or the number of “likes” they get. For me, success has been a struggle to define since becoming a mom. When I was younger and single, I measured success by the projects my employer gave me, the awards I won, the salary I earned, and the title I held. I was always chasing the next raise, the next title. Now, success is more about how well I can juggle work and motherhood on any given day. Spoiler alert: it’s really hard.

Balancing the demands of both worlds requires a mix of creativity, serious time management skills, adaptability, and a healthy dose of “good enough.” As a type-A overachiever, that last part is tough to accept, but for my sanity, it’s a must. Talent and creativity are still essential, but thriving as a mom in a creative career brings unique challenges. It’s a constant feeling of never doing enough. When I focus on work, I feel like I’m neglecting my family. When I focus on my family, I feel like I’m neglecting the creative spark that really lights me up. Every day, I battle the guilt of not living up to my own expectations. I try to be fully present in whatever I’m doing, but it’s a daily struggle to let go of perfectionism and remind myself that I’m doing the best I can in both roles.

The hours in the day often feel so limited, which makes maximizing productivity during work time crucial—whether that’s a full eight-hour day or just a couple of hours squeezed in here and there. Managing family routines while meeting client deadlines requires careful organization and prioritization. Many moms in design rely on technology to streamline their work, whether it’s using tools like Adobe Workfront or Honeybook, automating tasks, or deciding whether to work from a home office or a co-working space to keep things fresh. Boredom is the death of creativity, so for me, keeping things interesting is a big part of feeling successful.

Adaptability is also key to being both a work-from-home graphic designer and a mother. Problem-solving doesn’t just apply to design challenges (those are the easy part), but also dealing with unexpected sick days, coordinating childcare, and sometimes working with kids in the background. Flexibility becomes a superpower—not just in managing client revisions, but in adjusting schedules and expectations to meet the demands of both work and family. Meeting tight deadlines while handling urgent family matters requires quick thinking, creative solutions, and a lot of patience.

Another thing that takes on new meaning when you’re a creative professional and mother is resilience. Client rejections or critical feedback can hit harder when you’re already carrying the emotional weight of raising children. But the strength that comes from motherhood—patience, perseverance, and determination—translates directly into professional success. Learning to take things in stride, find balance in chaos, and push through when everything feels overwhelming is key to juggling both worlds.

We must not forget, no one succeeds alone, and for working moms, having a strong support system is crucial. Whether it’s a partner or spouse, extended family, or reliable childcare, carving out time for professional growth depends on having help. Continuous learning is still important—keeping up with design trends, taking on challenging projects, and seeking growth opportunities are necessary to stay competitive. But success also means recognizing your limits and being flexible with how you define progress. Growth isn’t always about the big wins; sometimes it’s about surviving a stressful project while also volunteering at your child’s school and doing so without an anxiety attack. As a mom, you learn to celebrate the small victories. One day, success might be landing a big client with a generous budget; another day, it’s sending off that single email response that’s been on your to-do list. Both are wins, depending on the day.

In the end, success is subjective. In my world, it looks different every day. It’s a journey that requires balancing my professional ambitions with my family’s needs, all while striving for fulfillment in both areas. Now, will you excuse me— I need to go put the clothes in the dryer.

Jess, 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?

The best place to find out about me and what I do is at jessgeorgedesign.com but for those who prefer to continue reading on from here:
Hello! I’m Jess George, Owner and Creative Mastermind behind Jess George Design.

I was given a brain and it loves to think about how to make your brand look good. From big advertising agencies to itty bitty design shops, I’ve seen it all and been called it all: production artist, graphic designer, design director, creative guru, even design superhero—but creative dreamer is probably the title that best fits me. I’m a shining beacon for what is possible. I dream big, play big, and am here to make a significant impact on those I work with. As a realist, Type-A overachiever (with the perfect amount of OCD), I love to meet deadlines and exceed every expectation. Through curious research, plotting a path to stunning work, and putting meaning behind my design, I help my clients curate a genuine, eclectic, and thoughtful brand that they can be proud of.

I’m a small-town South Dakota girl who moved to “the big city” (Las Vegas) in 2003, looking for excitement and graphic design opportunities after graduating from South Dakota State University. I started my career with sales collateral design at a local mortgage company where I quickly learned I needed more creative variety (and high-end clients because this girl likes fancy shiz). Over the next 13 years I developed my skills through in-house casino marketing, magazine publishing, book design, and management at a small branding firm before winding up at one of the largest advertising agencies in Nevada working in the luxury resort industry. I remained there until 2016 when I decided to take some time to be home with my then one-year-old son. He is now 9 and I’m still working my business from home. I’m very grateful for this god-given talent of mine, and for the incredible opportunities that have spread my designs around the world—from Las Vegas to Atlantic City, the Bahamas to Macau, Hawaii to the Philippines and everywhere in between.

As a designer, I’m obsessed with finding creative solutions to everyday problems in a fun and colorful way. As a big color theory nerd, I believe in creating bold designs that are sophisticated and attention-grabbing with an eclectic mix of colors and textures. The magic is in the mix!

In a world where trends come and go at lightning speed, choosing timeless elegance paired with a genuine story, is the best way to have a lasting brand. I understand the power of deep human connection and the power of storytelling. By truly getting to know my clients and understanding the vision for their business, I use my design experience and creativity to craft their story and create a customized brand that helps them stand out and connect to their ideal customers. I feel very strongly that brands need to emote feeling to be successful. “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou

I offer design feedback consultation calls, logo design, and branding. My favorite part of design is brainstorming and ideation. I love looking at the big picture, coming up with moodboards to help my clients visualize what’s possible, and pushing people to look past the obvious.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Word of mouth. Do good work with great intention and your clients will sell you when you’re not even in the room.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Non-creatives may not understand that a creative brain is always on. No matter what we look at, listen to, taste, touch, wear, we can find inspiration in almost anything. When there is a creative task presented to me, my brain goes into overdrive and I can’t turn it off until I find a solution to the problem. It can be mentally exhausting being creative, but man, when you’re in the flow and ideas just keep coming, it’s the best feeling in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: jessgeorgedesign.com
• Email: [email protected]

Image Credits

Brianne Hidalgo, Photographer