We recently connected with Jessica Freund and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

I had been sitting on the idea of Moonstone for years. I always knew I wanted to build something of my own—a creative studio rooted in storytelling, intentional design, and soulful strategy—but I kept pushing it off. I told myself I was too busy with work or that I’d get to it “when things slowed down.”

The truth is, I was just getting in my own way.

Last year, everything shifted. Life forced me to slow down, look around, and realize that there were no more “reasons” not to go for it—only fear and hesitation. And I decided I was done letting those two things lead the way.

So I started small.

I started writing out what Moonstone would feel like and what I wanted it to be. What kind of brands I wanted to work with. What kind of stories I wanted to tell. I pulled together all the past work I was proud of and asked myself: what do all of these projects have in common? That helped me shape my studio’s point of view.

From there, it was a lot of step-by-step decisions:
• I designed the brand identity myself
• I built the website from scratch
• I created service packages that felt aligned with what I actually love doing—things like creative direction, brand video, storytelling-driven content

Honestly, launching didn’t happen in one big leap. It was a quiet build-up of momentum, until suddenly the work started coming, the vision started clicking, and I realized—this is Moonstone. I just had to give myself permission to start.

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 Jessica, the founder and creative director behind Moonstone Media Design—a creative studio rooted in storytelling, visual strategy, and soulful content. I’ve spent over a decade working across photography, film, and brand development, helping people and brands bring their ideas to life in ways that feel true, thoughtful, and visually striking.

My path into this industry was never one straight line. I started out behind the camera—drawn to photography and film because I loved how a single image or a well-crafted scene could hold so much emotion, memory, or meaning. Over the years, that love for visual storytelling expanded into creative direction, strategy, and brand identity work. I realized I wasn’t just passionate about creating pretty things—I wanted to help people build brands with depth and intention.

That’s really where Moonstone came in.

At Moonstone, I offer creative direction, video production, photography, and strategic brand content. I work with small businesses, entrepreneurs, and purpose-driven brands to create work that actually feels like them—from high-impact campaigns to social-first content, brand films, lookbooks, and beyond.

The kinds of problems I solve?
A client might say:

“We don’t know how to tell our story in a way that connects.”

“Our content feels flat or disconnected from who we are.”

“We need visuals that don’t just look good—but mean something.”

That’s where I come in. I help bridge the gap between what you do and how it’s experienced by your audience—visually, emotionally, and strategically.

What sets me apart is the blend of heart and precision. I’m not just checking boxes—I’m paying attention to the small things, the tone, the pacing, the texture of a brand. I approach each project like a collaboration, not a transaction. I want my clients to feel seen, excited, and proud to share their story.

What I’m most proud of is how many clients walk away not only with great creative—but saying, “That process felt so smooth and fun.” I believe creativity should feel expansive, not stressful.

If there’s one thing I’d want people to know about Moonstone, it’s this:
This isn’t just a creative service. It’s a partnership. It’s a space to build your brand with clarity, confidence, and a little soul.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is the collaboration. While I love the process of visualizing and conceptualizing unique ways to tell a story—that spark of an idea, the early stages of creative direction—the real magic happens when that vision starts to come to life with other people.

What drew me to filmmaking and creative production in the first place was the team dynamic. This kind of work isn’t meant to be done alone. Every project is an opportunity to bring together talented people with different strengths—whether it’s cinematography, styling, editing, or sound—and create something none of us could have made on our own.

As a Creative Director, I get to guide the story and hold the vision, but I’m constantly inspired by the people I work with. Collaborating with them not only makes the work stronger—it helps me grow as an artist too. That kind of creative exchange is what is most fulfilling to me.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A big lesson I’ve had to unlearn—and honestly, still remind myself of often—is that I don’t need to earn my place at the table by constantly proving myself to others. For a long time, imposter syndrome had a tight grip on me. Even when I was doing good work and getting positive feedback, there was still this voice in my head asking, “But do you really belong here?”

That mindset pushed me into overworking and, at times, comparing myself to people whose journeys looked completely different from mine. I thought I had to match what others were doing to feel valid or successful.

What I’ve learned—and continue to practice—is that the only person I need to compete with is the version of me from yesterday. Growth, for me, is about refinement, not racing. The most meaningful progress has come when I stopped chasing someone else’s path and focused on deepening my own.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.moonstonemediadesign.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/moonstone.media.design
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moonstonemediadesign
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moonstonemediadesign/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@moonstonemediadesign

Image Credits

Moonstone Media & Design