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

Hi Nastassia, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

How did you learn to do what you do?

I’m largely self-taught. My journey into branding started through graphic design, but over time I realized design alone wasn’t enough. I became deeply interested in how brands communicate, position themselves, and emotionally connect with their audience.

A lot of my learning came from doing the work — studying successful brands, paying attention to consumer behavior, and constantly refining my approach through real client projects. Every brand I worked with taught me something new about strategy, storytelling, and market positioning.

Over time, I moved from just designing visuals to helping businesses clarify their identity, messaging, and long-term brand direction.

⸻

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?

If I could go back, I would focus earlier on the business and psychology behind branding, not just the visual side.

Design is important, but branding is really about understanding people — how they think, what they respond to, and how trust is built with an audience. Learning more about marketing strategy, consumer behavior, and brand positioning earlier would have accelerated my growth significantly.

I also would have invested more time into studying high-level brands and their decision-making processes, rather than just focusing on tools and software.

⸻

What skills do you think were most essential?

The most essential skills for me have been strategic thinking, storytelling, and observation.

Strategic thinking allows you to look beyond aesthetics and understand how every brand decision connects to a larger goal. Storytelling is what makes a brand memorable and relatable. And observation is key because the best insights often come from paying attention to culture, trends, and how people interact with brands in everyday life.

Of course, design skills matter, but strategy is what turns good design into a powerful brand.

⸻

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

One of the biggest obstacles early on was information overload. There’s so much advice in the creative industry, and not all of it is useful or relevant.

Another challenge was overcoming imposter syndrome. When you’re self-taught, it’s easy to question whether you’re qualified enough. But the reality is that experience and results become your greatest teachers.

Once I focused on building real projects and refining my process, that confidence naturally followed.

Nastassia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Nastassia Davis, the Founder and Brand Strategist behind Stassi and Co., a strategy-driven branding agency based in Dallas, Texas. Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, my journey into this industry started from a genuine love for creativity and storytelling. I’ve always been drawn to art, photography, and visual expression, and over time I realized that branding sits at the intersection of creativity, psychology, and business. That discovery is what ultimately led me into the world of brand strategy and design.

Like many creatives, I began by teaching myself graphic design and taking on projects wherever I could. As I continued working with different businesses, I started noticing that many brands struggled with the same issue: they had great ideas and passion, but they lacked clarity in how to visually and strategically present themselves to the world. That’s when my focus began to shift. I wasn’t just interested in making things look good, I wanted to help brands understand who they are, what they stand for, and how to communicate that effectively.

Through Stassi and Co., I provide branding and strategic design services that help businesses develop cohesive identities that are both visually compelling and intentionally positioned. My work often includes brand identity development, brand strategy, creative direction, and consulting for businesses that are ready to elevate their presence and connect more deeply with their audience. I work with entrepreneurs who want their brand to feel polished, modern, and aligned with the level of business they’re trying to build.

One of the biggest problems I help solve for clients is lack of direction. Many businesses launch with a logo or social media page, but they don’t yet have a clear brand identity or strategy guiding their decisions. When a brand lacks clarity, everything from marketing to customer experience can feel inconsistent. My role is to help bring structure and intention to that process so the brand feels cohesive, confident, and recognizable.

What sets my work apart is the combination of creative design and strategic thinking. I approach branding as both an art and a system. It’s not just about visuals; it’s about positioning, messaging, and how a brand makes people feel. I’m very intentional about helping businesses create brands that not only look elevated but also function as powerful tools for growth.

What I’m most proud of is the growth I’ve experienced as a self-taught creative. Building a career in this industry required curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to continuously learn and refine my craft. Every project has helped shape the way I approach branding today, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help other entrepreneurs bring their visions to life.

At the core of everything I do is the belief that a brand should feel intentional. I want people who discover my work to understand that branding is more than aesthetics; it’s the foundation of how a business communicates, connects, and evolves. My goal with Stassi and Co. is to continue helping brands step into their next level with confidence, clarity, and a visual identity that truly represents who they are.

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

One lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that being extremely kind and accommodating in business would always lead to better outcomes.

Early in my career, I approached every project from a place of wanting to be helpful and supportive to my clients. I cared deeply about the work and the people I was working with, but sometimes that translated into being overly flexible, underpricing my services, or stretching myself too thin in order to keep everyone happy.

Over time, I realized that while kindness is important, clarity and boundaries are just as essential in business. When expectations aren’t clearly defined, it can create confusion for both the client and the creative. I had to learn that being professional doesn’t mean being cold, but it does mean protecting your time, your expertise, and the value of the work you provide.

That shift helped me grow not only as a designer, but as a strategist and business owner. Today, my approach is still rooted in collaboration and respect, but it’s also structured and intentional. Clear processes, communication, and boundaries ultimately lead to stronger partnerships and better results for everyone involved.

It’s something I now emphasize within Stassi and Co.; creating an environment where creativity and professionalism can coexist.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

One book that really influenced my thinking as a creative entrepreneur is Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. The book explores the relationship between creativity, curiosity, and fear, and it helped me rethink how I approach both my work and my mindset as a business owner.

One of the ideas that resonated with me most was the concept that creativity isn’t something you wait to feel ready for; it’s something you actively participate in. As someone who is largely self-taught, that perspective was incredibly empowering. It reminded me that progress often comes from showing up consistently and trusting the process rather than waiting for perfect conditions.

As an entrepreneur, it also helped me become more comfortable with experimentation and growth. When you’re building a brand or a business, there’s always a level of uncertainty. Big Magic reframes that uncertainty as part of the creative journey rather than something to avoid.

That philosophy has influenced how I approach my work with clients and within my agency, Stassi and Co.. I encourage people to lean into their ideas, explore possibilities, and trust their creative instincts while still building a brand with structure and intention.

Ultimately, the book reinforced the idea that creativity and courage go hand in hand, and that mindset has played a big role in how I continue to grow as both a strategist and a founder.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Stassiandco.com
• Instagram: Officialstassiandco
• Facebook: Stassi & Co.