We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kaitlin Hoppenstedt Ortega a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kaitlin , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

Most graphic designers only focus on trends and simple logo design solutions, but as a brand identity designer I keep effective communication at the core of my design method. It brings me joy to help my clients attract their dream customers and achieve more success in their brand marketing through design psychology, symbolism, and effective brand messaging. Creating strategic and well-rounded designs is beneficial to both my clients and myself. Through these advanced methods and the high-quality, custom nature of my skill set I’ve been able to scale my business into a six-figure earning design studio.

Kaitlin , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Kaitlin Hoppenstedt Ortega, and I’m a remote boutique marketing and design studio owner. I decided to start my first online business after getting married in Spring of 2019 as an opportunity to work remotely for myself as a new military spouse. In that business I was utilizing my Communication and English degrees from Texas A&M University to provide public speaking, writing, and job interview coaching to transitioning professionals.

Shortly after starting my online coaching business and helping a few clients, I stumbled into the brand design industry as a result of assisting my parents with creating a logo and website for their mobile photo booth business in the South Texas called The Happy Camper.

That project helped me to rediscover my artistic abilities and snowballed into a series of requested logo and website projects by other clients that quickly became the core services that my business became known for.

Knowing that the brand marketing and design industry was my newfound passion and where my skills could be best applied, I rebranded my business in June 2021 after the pandemic into what is now Above Design Studio™️.

My primary services include brand identity and website design and development. Effective communication is at the core of my design method. Through a strategic, collaborative process I go above and beyond for my clients to develop high-quality brand identities and enticing digital experiences that effortlessly resonate with their audience both logically and emotionally. Thanks to my diverse experience in digital marketing, influencing, retail, and communication, I approach all of my brand and website design projects with a unique perspective. Nothing makes me happier than holding the metaphorical hand of a business woman about to embark on the next chapter of her brand’s success story. In other words: I go above and beyond for my clients in various industries like beauty, fashion, retail, and home and hospitality.

Although I work with clients from all over the nation, I have a steady client base in Houston, Texas, McAllen, Texas, and San Diego, California. Although I love working with women entrepreneurs and small businesses, one of my proudest projects to date has been the brand identity and website design for a soon-to-be opened 50s inspired speakeasy cocktail lounge in San Diego, California called Gaslamplighter. It’s coming soon!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’ve always trusted in God and believed in myself enough to take a chance on full-time creative entrepreneurship. Once I felt like I was doing well enough in my business and outgrowing my 9-5 corporate marketing role in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, I took a chance on myself and dived head first into my business full-time. Instead of choosing comfort and stability I wanted to take a risk and challenge myself.

I don’t think there’s a magic recipe for developing a healthy online business, but it does require confidence, sales skills, ingenuity, and mental discipline to achieve your goals and stay on task for clients.

And even though my husband is now out of the military and a full-time law school student in downtown Houston I’m still choosing to take a chance on myself every single day and run my online studio full time to support us. I don’t take my company for granted and feel so blessed to be a designer and creative consultant to my clients. And earlier this year I was even able to hire my first studio assistant. Being an entrepreneur requires mental toughness and a desire to achieve more even amidst pivots, failures, and roadblocks.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I’ve become known in my industry as a designer who creates laid-back yet sophisticated brand identities and websites for my clients. I’m someone who values professionalism, ingenuity, and believes that less is more. The commonality in all of my work is to provide high quality, luxurious, and custom designs that have a laid-back touch for an elevated look.

Not only should a great business share about their products and services, but should also show up for their audience, too. I’m proud to be a business owner who isn’t afraid to go in front of the camera and provide valuable and helpful information to new business owners and fellow creatives. In fact, I started my very own podcast in early 2022 called The Entrepreneur Sip, which is a marketing and business development podcast for women entrepreneurs. I release bi-weekly episodes with fellow entrepreneurs to chat about business and life. @theentrepreneurship on Instagram.

As someone who designs effective brand identities, has her own podcast, and boldly shows up online, I think I’ve become known as an outspoken and fearless entrepreneur.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.abovedesign.studio
• Instagram: @abovedesignstudio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlin-hoppenstedt-ortega/
• Other: TikTok @abovedesignstudio