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

Hi Maria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

In 2015, my husband and I decided to move to the United States and literally start a new life here, where we could feel not only safe but also encouraged to achieve all the dreams we had back then. I had no idea what I wanted to do specifically, but I was clear at had to be related with the creative field since it’s been always a passion of mine. Having a background on advertising and marketing helped me to have a better view on how I was going to present my ideas to the world, but it wasn’t until 2016b when I discovered the beauty of calligraphy that I realized stationery was what I wanted to focus on.
My journey as a calligrapher and stationery designer started also as a bug risk, because I put all my efforts into my project with no hesitation. I left my job and dedicated since then to shape my small business and make it grow.
I didn’t have many friends nor relatives around to support my project, so being able to speak to an audience that was completely unknown was one of my biggest challenges. Sometimes it still is, but every little success that helps my business to be seen, known and trusted makes me more confident

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have a degree on Advertising and marketing, so I have been in the creative field since many years ago… more than I like to accept (LOL)… but basically since 2002 when I started working as a junior executive at an advertising agency. After a few years I also became part of the creative team until I became the head of the creative department. There I learned lots about graphic design principles, colors, composition, printing techniques, methods, fonts… so many things that actually gave me the professional foundation to start working as a stationery designer many years later.

Today, my business develops stationery products mostly wedding related, as well as calligraphy, hand lettering, watercolor art. illustrations, fonts, and all the little things I have learned throughout the years.

My favorite things to do in life are art and creativity related, so saying that I really love my job is an understatement. Creating unique products for my clients is the best thing, especially because I have the opportunity to make things that will be part of such an important moment of one’s life.

I love to bring all the delicate and floral elements to my designs, my calligraphy and paintings, but also love to explore new concepts and styles, so working with people that inspire me to think out of the box with all the creative freedom in the world, is such an amazing experience.

I believe that one of my biggest strengths as a designer is my ability to translate people’s needs into a real thing without too much effort. It comes very natural to me to visualize and make real things from loose thoughts and visions. And also, I am very proud of my flexibility when it comes to designing. That allows me to create things that do not compromise my vision and style but also are able to please every need my client expresses.

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

Being able to do what I love the most everyday. Besides a stationery designer, I am a full time mom and I love it! I love being able to enjoy so much time with my kids and running my small business from home is just a blessing because it allows me to do both. But most working moms would agree that it can be mentally exhausting at times, so it comes very beneficial for my mental health that I have the chance to sit down everyday in front of my desk and do something I really love, something I can consider my me time, something that brings joy to others as much as it brings me peace when I create it.

Developing a business based on my creativity is definitely one of the most liberating things I’ve ever done, because I don’t feel I am missing anything from a regular 9-5 job and I also don’t feel the rush to stop working and do things for my mental health. If I am overwhelm,ed I would grab my iPad and start creating something… and that’s simply amazing.

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

Every business has slow times, especially when working on the wedding industry because it’s mostly a seasonal type of business, and every time that things feel still I try to change my perspective and see it as an opportunity to create more so I will be prepared when the next season hits.

My best sellers have been all a consequence of a still moment, and they patiently wait for their moment to shine. It’s just matter of perseverance and work on something everyday.

The business can’t stop, even when there’s no sales.

Contact Info:

• Website: orchidstudiotx.com
• Instagram: @orchidstudiotx
• Facebook: facebook.com/orchidstudiotx
• Youtube: YouTube.com/orchidstudiotx
• Other: TikTok: @orchidstudiotx Etsy: orchidstudiotx.etsy.com

Image Credits
Photos by: Aly Matei Photo / Emma Cleary Photography / Katelyn V. Photography