We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kyla Collins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kyla, thanks for joining 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?

For a long time, this idea lived quietly in the back of my mind.

I had been thinking about starting my own business for years, but if I’m being honest, I talked myself out of it just as often. The imposter syndrome was loud. I loved art, I had taken graphic design classes during my undergraduate years, and I had built a foundation working in marketing—but turning that into something of my own felt like a different level of risk. It felt personal.

Everything shifted with a simple ask.

A family member reached out and asked if I could design a logo for his Doberman business. My immediate instinct was to say no. I didn’t feel ready, and I definitely didn’t feel like an “expert.” But instead of overthinking it, I said yes—while fully terrified. That decision became the turning point.

From there, I immersed myself in learning. Late nights, early mornings, and what I like to call “YouTube University” became part of my routine. It wasn’t polished or perfect—it was trial and error, refining my eye, and figuring out how to take an idea and translate it visually. Over time, I created a logo that felt meaningful and distinct. It was based on a real photo he provided, but I added my own creative elements to give it personality and make it stand out in a way that felt original.

More than the final product, it was the process that changed me. I proved to myself that I could figure things out.

That momentum carried into my next opportunity. I started sharing my work with people close to me—even when it felt uncomfortable. One of those moments led to my nail technician asking me to rebrand her business. This time, I still felt the fear, but I recognized it. And again, I said yes.

That project allowed me to stretch creatively in a new way. I leaned into her vision and built something that felt elegant, luxurious, and simple—something that truly reflected her brand. Around the same time as her rebrand launch, I made another decision that felt just as big: I launched my business account on Instagram.

At that point, I was still working full-time and finishing my master’s degree, so I wasn’t taking on clients yet. But I started showing up. I documented my journey, shared my work, and allowed myself to explore creatively in a more public way. It wasn’t about perfection—it was about consistency and building confidence.

I made a promise to myself during that season: once I finished my degree, I would stop waiting.

And I kept that promise.

In February 2026, Kyla Marie Design Co. officially came to life. That step wasn’t taken alone—I had the support of an incredible community around me. A mentor connected me with a business consultant who helped me turn my ideas into something tangible. There were logistics to figure out, systems to put in place, and a lot of behind-the-scenes work to make everything feel aligned and intentional.

During that process, I also wanted to create something that reflected both my work and my values. I came up with the idea of hosting a giveaway—an opportunity for someone to experience the full branding process while also giving back. When I shared the idea with my consultant, he immediately believed in it and even offered to contribute his own services to the winner. We brought it to life through a launch video, and once it was shared, everything started to shift.

The response was overwhelming—in the best way possible. Support, engagement, and new opportunities began to flow in almost immediately. Since launching, I’ve had the opportunity to work with multiple clients, fully book out April, and even build a waitlist.

Looking back, there wasn’t one defining moment where everything felt perfectly aligned. It was a series of small, uncomfortable decisions—choosing to move forward despite the doubt, choosing to share before I felt ready, and choosing to trust that I would figure it out along the way.

And I still operate that way.

What started as an idea I almost ignored has turned into something deeply meaningful. Today, I get to bring brands to life in a way that reflects the heart behind them—and that’s something I don’t take lightly. Every step of this journey has been built on growth, support, and a willingness to keep going, even when it feels uncertain.

Kyla, 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?

Hi, my name is Kyla Collins, and I’m the founder of Kyla Marie Design Co., where I focus on bringing brands to life in a way that feels intentional, personal, and aligned with the people behind them.

My path into this space wasn’t linear—it was something I grew into over time. I’ve always had a creative foundation and a love for art, but I spent the early part of my career working in marketing. That experience gave me a deeper understanding of how brands communicate, how they show up, and how important it is to connect with the right audience in a meaningful way. Over time, I started to see the gap between strategy and visual identity—and how powerful it is when those two things truly align.

What started as a single “yes” to designing a logo turned into something much bigger. I realized that design isn’t just about making something look good—it’s about translating someone’s vision, their story, and their purpose into something tangible. That realization is what pulled me fully into this work.

Through Kyla Marie Design Co., I offer branding and design services that go beyond just a logo. I work with clients to build visual identities that feel cohesive, elevated, and true to who they are. That can include logo design, rebranding, and creative direction, but it always starts with understanding the person and the purpose behind the business. I want my clients to feel seen in their brand—not like they’re fitting into a template.

A lot of the clients I work with come to me feeling stuck. They know they’ve outgrown their current brand, or they’re just starting out and don’t know how to visually represent what they’ve built. There’s often a disconnect between the quality of their work and how it’s being presented. That’s the problem I help solve. I take what can feel overwhelming or unclear and turn it into something refined, intentional, and impactful—something that builds confidence not just for their audience, but for them as business owners.

What sets my work apart is the level of care and personalization that goes into each project. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all design. Every brand has its own energy, its own story, and its own voice—and my role is to bring that forward in a way that feels both creative and strategic. I pay close attention to the small details, because those are often the things that make a brand feel complete.

I also lead with transparency throughout the process. I want my clients to understand the “why” behind the design choices, not just receive a final product. It’s a collaborative experience, and I think that’s a big part of what makes the end result so meaningful.

What I’m most proud of is not just the work itself, but the growth it represents. Starting this business meant pushing past a lot of self-doubt and choosing to show up before I felt fully ready. Seeing how far that decision has taken me—from my first project to building a fully booked schedule and a growing community—has been incredibly rewarding.

But more than that, I’m proud of the trust my clients place in me. Branding is personal, and being invited into that process is something I don’t take lightly.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my work, it’s that everything I do is rooted in intention. I care deeply about helping people bring their vision to life in a way that feels authentic and lasting. This isn’t just about design—it’s about creating something that people feel connected to, something that represents the heart of their business.

And I’m just getting started.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative isn’t just the act of making something look beautiful—it’s the opportunity to tell a story. Every project I take on is a chance to translate someone’s vision, their values, and the energy they put into their business into something tangible and visual. I get to take a brand’s personality—the nuances that people might not even realize exist—and bring it to life in a way that feels intentional and thoughtful.

What’s really special is when people see the finished work and recognize themselves in it. They notice the colors, the shapes, the small details, and they say, “Yes—that feels like me.” That’s when I know the strategy and intention behind every choice—the typeface, the line, the spacing—worked. People often don’t realize how much thought goes into each decision, and as a creative, being able to make something feel effortless while knowing every piece was carefully considered is incredibly satisfying.

For me, being an artist is less about the design itself and more about the connection it creates. It’s about taking abstract ideas, personalities, and stories and weaving them into something visual that can be seen, shared, and experienced. That’s the magic—the ability to turn intention into art and, in doing so, make someone’s vision feel alive.

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

One story that really illustrates my resilience goes back to the very beginning of my journey with Kyla Marie Design Co. My first two logos—the projects that launched me into pursuing this dream—were created during a season that felt completely overwhelming. I was working full-time in marketing, finishing my master’s degree, and honestly questioning if I even had the time or energy to chase this passion. There were nights when homework piled up, when deadlines loomed, and when I seriously considered giving up on the idea of starting my own business.

But I kept showing up. I carved out time—sometimes in the middle of the night or between work and assignments—to sketch, experiment, and bring these logos to life. And every time I felt like quitting, I reminded myself: no one is going to build it for you. You have to build a life of your dreams yourself. That mantra became my anchor. It kept me moving forward, even when the schedule felt impossible.

The first logo, for a family member’s Doberman business, started as pure fear—I didn’t know if I could do it—but I said yes anyway. I learned as I went, navigating YouTube tutorials and trial-and-error late nights. The second logo, for my nail technician’s rebrand, gave me an opportunity to stretch creatively and translate her personality into something elegant, luxurious, and simple. Both projects took persistence, patience, and the willingness to keep going even when I was exhausted.

Looking back, those early projects weren’t just about logos—they were proof that resilience isn’t about never feeling tired or scared. It’s about showing up, putting in the work, and trusting yourself to move forward. Those moments reminded me that building a business—and building the life you want—happens one step, one late night, and one decision at a time.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylamariedesignco/