Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jill Lawlor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Jill thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share a customer success story with us?

One of my most rewarding customer success stories is the brand identity project for Oh Happy Day Confections, a company that creates custom sweets and gifts for corporate events and special celebrations. The founder, Shana Mallin, has an inspiring and relatable story. As a single mom working a full-time job, Shana found herself with more free time as her kids grew older and moved on to college. Suddenly, the house was a lot quieter, and Shana needed something to fill the space. She launched Oh Happy Day as a side hustle to keep herself busy and as a creative outlet. Shana is passionate about bringing people together and firmly believes in the power of special treats to spread joy and create memories.

When Shana reached out to me as she was launching her business, she was enthusiastic about her product but felt her brand lacked the professional polish it deserved. She had experimented with some DIY logo designs but didn’t have the skills and experience to create a look that matched the quality of her products. After the project she told me, “My brand didn’t have a strategy around it… I also felt silly with the logo, colors, and fonts that I chose on my own.”

We aimed to create an identity that was joyous, modern, and approachable, mirroring the essence of her business. Shana’s dedication to bringing people together through her products guided our collaborative design process as we sought to reflect that joy and unity in her brand. She once mentioned, “The brand strategy session opened my eyes… I realized that if you don’t create your brand, you allow your customers to create it for you… and you might not like it.”

The final brand identity is a vibrant celebration of the company’s spirit. Shana’s reflection on the completed project truly captured the transformation: “I now show up as a legit brand, it’s bold and joyful. Most importantly, I show up confident in all that I do with Oh Happy Day Confections. I have confidence in shouting from the mountaintops that I’m here!” This identity, imbued with joy, modernity, and approachability, had not only given Shana the confidence to present her business proudly but also positioned Oh Happy Day Confections as a memorable and distinctive player in its market. Since this visual brand was launched just over a year ago, her business has been booming, resulting in the hiring of two additional employees and an increase in sales from 22 orders per month to more than 250 orders per month.

This project really shows how important a brand identity is from the start. It’s not just about making a great first impression—though that’s key—but about creating a look that sticks with people. When your brand truly connects with your audience, it sets you up for growth and builds loyal customer relationships. Plus, having a brand identity you’re proud of gives you that extra boost of confidence as an entrepreneur. It empowers you to move forward, fully in sync with your business vision.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As a strategic brand designer, I specialize in helping small businesses create logos and all the visual elements that showcase their unique personality and strengths. My goal is to help these businesses attract high-value clients, impress industry peers, and establish strong partnerships. I make the process easy and collaborative, focusing on creating authentic, distinctive, and powerful designs that they are proud to show off.

At Jill Lawlor Creative, a boutique brand identity studio, I blend hands-on craftsmanship with strategic insight and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. My focus is on crafting custom brand identities that make your business look as good as it truly is. Each project resonates deeply with target audiences by perfectly aligning with the client’s core values and business goals. My collaborative process is smooth and efficient, accommodating the busy schedules of entrepreneurs. Honest and functional design solutions empower my clients to showcase their brand with confidence and pride. This dedication to genuine and impactful design makes Jill Lawlor Creative a go-to partner for a brand identity that’s not just strong and enduring but also a joy to show off.

Jill Lawlor Creative embodies a heritage rich in honesty, resilience, and a hands-on approach. My background profoundly influences my design philosophy, which is grounded, robust, and genuine. I am committed to delivering tangible results and expressing a brand’s core essence through clear, effective visual identities that truly resonate with their intended audiences. I find beauty in simplicity and function, drawing inspiration from the pure joy of basic, everyday pleasures. This appreciation for the simple life is reflected in my design aesthetic—clean, uncluttered, and meaningful. This approach guides my work, ensuring that each brand identity I develop not only resonates deeply but also authentically connects with its audience.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Here’s a bit about my journey: Right out of high school, I knew graphic design was my passion, so I got my degree in Visual Communication. Despite a strong educational foundation, early in my career, a nagging lack of confidence led me away from design. I came across an interesting statistic indicating that more than half of graphic designers exit the profession within two years, primarily due to the challenge of meeting the lofty standards set by the industry masters they admire. This was me; I was constantly exposed to exceptional design work, and it became clear that my skills did not yet match up. This realization sparked a discouraging thought pattern: questioning the point of continuing if I couldn’t measure up to such high standards. What I failed to recognize at the time was the journey these admired designers had undergone to reach their level of expertise, often involving 10 to 20 years of dedicated practice and skill refinement in the field. In short, my education and experience had not prepared me for the mental aspects of the profession.

So I moved away from design – I got an MBA, and even had the amazing chance to work for the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs! After a significant break from career to focus on family, my passion for design was rekindled. Inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, “Big Magic,” which speaks to the courage and boldness needed in creativity, I returned to graphic design. I am driven by a desire to continually evolve both creatively and professionally, aiming to confront my fears, chase my dreams, and provide a strong role model for my daughters. I started my brand design business three years ago and I now find immense joy in helping fellow small business owners create brand identities that truly stand out!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My parents ran a small business throughout my childhood so I am passionate about supporting fellow small business owners and find a profound sense of fulfillment in using my brand design skills to help passionate entrepreneurs achieve their business goals. The majority of my clients are small business owners, and there’s nothing more rewarding than using my skills to help them realize their dreams. Every brand identity I create isn’t just a project; it’s a personal mission to help another small business thrive. I believe every small business deserves a brand identity that’s as dynamic and passionate as they are.

Design has the unique power to leverage human creativity to visually convey ideas, messages, and emotions, transforming mere concepts into vivid, impactful visuals. In a world saturated with graphic design, its impact goes far beyond aesthetics; it enhances the beauty and functionality of our communities and environments. Design tells stories and adds beauty to our community, making it not just my profession but my contribution to a more vibrant and expressive world. From sketching initial concepts to unveiling the final brand identity, I truly enjoy every step of the journey, knowing that my work helps businesses shine and communities thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lawlorcreative.com
• Instagram: HTTPS://WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/JILL_LAWLOR_CREATIVE/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillLawlorCreative/
• Linkedin: HTTPS://WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/71670689/ADMIN/FEED/POSTS/

Image Credits

Nicola Levine Photography