We recently connected with Mishael Washington and have shared our conversation below.

Mishael, appreciate you joining us today. The first dollar you earn in a new endeavor is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.

Before I ever thought about running a design agency, I was simply an artist trying to create visuals for my own music. I will never forget the first time I paid $150 for a cover design. It felt like such a big investment, but the results did not match what I envisioned. After rounds of revisions, I decided to open the file and experiment on my own. To my surprise, I loved what I came up with. That moment lit a spark in me. It showed me that design was not just something I needed, it was something I was naturally drawn to.
From there, I kept experimenting. I designed all my own marketing materials as a recording artist, and soon I was jumping at the chance to design for friends’ businesses just to practice. I did not charge at first, I just wanted to see my work out in the world and improve with each project. Later, I started putting myself out there more boldly, reaching out to people with platforms, offering $5 sales, and even doing giveaways to get exposure.
I will never forget that first order from someone I did not personally know. It was only $5, but it felt like $500 because it was proof that a stranger valued my work enough to pay for it. Those small but powerful wins gave me the courage to keep going. Looking back now, those early risks and hustles were the foundation for what eventually became Destined Designs Shop.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Mishael Washington, the owner of Destined Designs Shop, a branding and marketing agency where creativity meets strategy. What began as a personal experiment while pursuing music has evolved into a full-service design agency serving clients across industries.
Destined Designs Shop now specializes in building brand identities, creating promotional graphics, and supporting businesses with digital marketing that is both polished and purposeful. My approach is rooted in listening first, understanding what makes each client unique, and then transforming that vision into visuals that inspire confidence and attract attention.
Over the years, I have taken multiple Photoshop courses to improve my skills, and I have had the opportunity to collaborate with entrepreneurs, influencers, and socialites. I have also mentored aspiring designers. Each experience has reinforced the same truth: strong, intentional branding is not just about looking good, it is about creating an identity that lasts.
The heart of my mission is simple: to help businesses and entrepreneurs stand out. Every logo, flyer, and branding suite I design is crafted with the intention of making my clients feel seen, credible, and unforgettable. What once started as me designing out of necessity has now grown into a platform that empowers others to build the brands they have always envisioned.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that all money is good money. In the beginning, I felt like I had to take on every client and every project that came my way. I didn’t want to say no, because I thought turning down money meant I wasn’t serious about building my business. But I quickly realized that saying “yes” to the wrong clients can cost you more than you gain.
Some projects left me drained, undervalued, or even questioning why I started in the first place. That’s when I had to shift my mindset: desperation for clients was not the key to growth. Instead, I learned the importance of setting strict policies, protecting my time, and only aligning with clients whose goals, morals, and standards matched the vision I had for my business.
Walking away from opportunities that don’t serve you isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. I had to unlearn the belief that every dollar was worth the stress, because peace, passion, and sustainability in business matter more. Now, I understand that the right clients will respect your boundaries and value your craft, and those are the relationships worth investing in.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

A major pivot in my life was when I transitioned from pursuing music to building my design business. For years, I was passionate about being a recording artist creating R&B music that reflected who I was. But over time, I fell out of love with it. The industry was shifting, and it felt like R&B was dying while female rap was becoming the only lane that seemed to matter. I no longer felt like I had a voice or that there was space for an artist like me.
On top of that, the music industry is incredibly expensive to pursue. Between studio time, promotion, visuals, and everything else, it can drain you financially and emotionally. I realized that I had lost the passion, and without passion, it didn’t feel worth continuing down that road.
That’s when I pivoted into design, something that had already been a natural part of my music journey as I created my own album covers and visuals. What once was just a way to support my artistry became its own career path. And honestly, making that shift gave me a new purpose. While I let go of music, I didn’t lose creativity, I simply redirected it into building brands, helping entrepreneurs, and creating visuals that tell stories. That pivot turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.destineddesignsshop.com
• Instagram: Destineddesignsshop