We recently connected with M and have shared our conversation below.

Hi M, thanks for joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Success, to me, is all about determination and mindset. In my culture, we have a concept called ‘sisu,’ which translates to stoic determination, bravery, and resilience. It’s more than just perseverance—it’s a deep feeling that you will succeed no matter what.

To be successful, you need to maintain that unwavering belief in yourself. It’s about having a clear vision, staying determined, and consistently working toward your goals, even on tough days. Success starts in your mind—how you see yourself, your craft, and your potential.

M, 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?

I’m M, a self-taught graphic designer with a passion for creating eye-catching visuals. My journey into design started with makeup—I loved using Photoshop to enhance my photos and make them stand out more as facetune was not cutting anymore. From there, I discovered a love for graphic design after I saw that graphic design is a real career and I can live of making pretty graphics. I began experimenting and started creating content on my page and eventually gained customers.

What sets me apart is my dedication to making designs that are truly out-of-the-box. I love creating experiences that not only catch the eye but also tell a story and stand out from others.

I specialize in branding, logos, social media graphics, websites, motion graphics and hopefully eventually in 3D design to keep pushing boundaries. What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built and the clients who trust me to bring their visions to life.

At the end of the day, I’m all about creativity, thinking outside the box, and helping my clients feel like their brands are truly one-of-a-kind.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media is all about putting yourself out there and making genuine connections. When starting from scratch, the key is to make people aware of who you are and what you do. It’s not enough to just post content—you need to engage with others, comment thoughtfully, and be present in the community.

One practical tip is to go through your feed and genuinely connect—leave comments that are meaningful and show your personality. A like is great, but a comment helps you stand out. For example, go on your explore page on Instagram and show some love to the accounts there. Also, don’t be afraid to share high-quality content that showcases your skills and creativity.

Ultimately, consistency and connecting with others are what help you grow. No one will know about you until you make them notice you!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

What really helped me build my reputation was my commitment to creating unique designs that stand out. I’m always pushing myself to think outside the box and bring fresh, eye-catching ideas to life. Connecting authentically with my clients and consistently delivering work that exceeds expectations has been key. It’s all about building trust and showcasing what makes you different.

Also, what really helped me to bring more awareness to my business was to actually show my face. I started off with just a brand with no face but when I started talking to the camera myself, my clients felt more comfortable to book with someone who is a real person actually.

Being real with your audience and not always showing the most polished version of your life will help to connect with others on the “omg me too” level! I love to talk on my story sometimes about different stuff and make announcements face to face as your potential clients see you real time and also see the face behind the brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mgrafxdesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mgrafxdesigns/

Image Credits

All images are flyers made for my customers. All flyers made by me.