Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Murphy

Hi Krista, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

Wishtree Design Inc started back in 2009 with my best friend from college. We both graduated as graphic designers and were working at corporate agencies. Eager to have a little more beauty in our design portfolios and right around the age when friends were starting to get married, we noticed that the Ottawa industry was severely lacking fresh, unique stationery. We started Wishtree as a passion project which quickly grew into the wedding industry’s stationery go-to. We would work our day jobs and continue late into the night designing all the pretty pieces for our clients. After 5 years of successfully building up Wishtree, my partner left and I was able to grow Wishtree into a luxury business and branch out into my first love; brand design. 15 years to date, and I’m seeing a new shift towards leaving the wedding side and focusing more as a brand agency. We’ve been so fortunate thus far to design for new and growing brands all over, through brand development, package design, cookbooks, social media, signage, promotion, campaigns, events and everything in between!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

It was smooth as far as growth goes. No major dips or expansions, but nothing in life comes easy. After a decade of “balancing” both my corporate job and Wishtree, my passion company, burn out came with a force. When the pandemic hit, everything changed. We were locked down, working from home, pay cuts, weddings postponed, children to teach and manage virtual school. It broke me. My body literally started reacting to the stress of my toxic corporate job. Something had to change. After looking at the books, I took the leap and left my corporate job to pursue Wishtree full time. Having never paid myself before (everything was going back to the company originally) it was both scary and exciting. This happened in 2021 and Wishtree is thriving. Best decision ever made. My body and soul are happy again.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?

Wishtree Design Inc. is a brand and stationery design agency. We specialize in luxury weddings and helping businesses with strong brand recognition and cohesiveness across the board through their materials, socials, packaging and whatever else is needed. We’re known for being versatile in our craft; no two jobs are the same. You’re hiring us to understand YOU and your business, not the other way around. We become huge advocates and cheerleaders for all our clients and strive to ensure pride amongst all design they receive. We’re very proud of all the work we do, but especially love seeing our work in the wild. Through package design in shops, store signage on the street, logos all over and events on social media, seeing our work being applied brings us so much joy. Often our clients will reach out just to brainstorm ideas and we end up creating some unique pieces that set them a part.

What does success mean to you?

Success, to me, is the ability to keep moving forward. If you’re able to continue on and pursue your passion, you’re killing it. You’re right where you’re supposed to be and you’re succeeding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wishtreedesign.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wishtree_design
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/wishtree_invites

Image Credits

Photography by Emma (headshots, stationery, ice cream truck)
Debra Cowie (Kush Kitchen Drops)
Jiali Ou (Bathorium tub)