We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Paige Maria. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Paige below.
Alright, Paige thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
I started my career in the education field, spending six years in the classroom, working hard to become the best teacher I could be. After earning my master’s degree in educational leadership, I moved into a leadership position, which seemed like the perfect next step in my career. However, as I continued to climb the ladder, I realized that something was missing.
I was knee-deep in my dissertation, earning my doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Foundations when I pivoted. And by pivoted, I mean — I quit the field altogether. It was a tough decision to make, but I knew that I needed to take a risk and pursue something that aligned with my heart and soul.
As an educator, I had always been passionate about leveraging my creativity to help people reach their potential. But, as I dove into my new position as a leader in education, I found myself overwhelmed and overworked. I was no longer the passionate creative I used to be, and I knew I had so much more potential to fulfill and so many opportunities just waiting to be unlocked.
I wasn’t 100% sure of my path, but I knew I had a few things going for me. I was fiercely entrepreneurial, creatively daring, a whiz with technology, I loved to write, and had a good eye for design. I knew I had a solid foundation to build upon.
Taking the risk to leave the education field was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. I had invested so much time, energy, and money into my career. I had a set path for myself to become a principal. But, deep down, I knew that there was something else out there for me.
I wasn’t starting from scratch. I was starting from experience. I knew that I had a lot to offer and that I could use my skills to make a difference in a different field.
And, as it turned out, I was right.
Now, I work with soulful entrepreneurs to create websites that speak to the heart of their brand. I get to leverage all my skills, including my passion for writing and my love for design. And most importantly, I get to do it all in a way that feels authentic and true to myself.
The transition wasn’t easy, and there were times when I doubted myself and wondered if I had made the right decision. But, as I continued to build my business, I found that I was truly happy and fulfilled. I am no longer bound by the restrictions of the traditional work environment, and I have the flexibility to set my own schedule and work with clients that align with my values. This level of freedom and autonomy is truly empowering.
Looking back, taking the risk to pivot into a new career was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It allowed me to tap into my creative side, work on my own terms, and pursue a path that aligned with my values and passions.
With great risk comes even greater rewards, and I’m grateful that I had the courage to take a chance on myself.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
My name is Paige Maria, and I have a unique journey that led me from teacher to entrepreneur.
I’ve always been drawn to design, creativity, and technology. Even back in the day, I loved playing around with graphics and creating custom layouts on MySpace and Xanga (anyone remember those?). So naturally, as an educator, I spent a lot of time utilizing those skills in my classroom. I loved to design websites for projects, and create eye-catching visuals for my students.
I became known for my innovative teaching methods and creative projects, which caught the attention of other educators and administrators. It was through crafting my own teacher brand, that I discovered my love for branding and design, and how powerful it could be in shaping perceptions and making an impact.
As I continued to climb the ladder in education, I found myself wanting to do more than just create a brand for my classroom. I wanted to help others create a brand for their businesses and make an impact in their industries.
That’s when I stumbled upon the world of freelancing and realized that I could leverage my skills in writing, design, and branding to help entrepreneurs launch their brands and elevate their online presence.
When I first started freelancing, I wasn’t really sure where it would take me. I was just grateful to have the opportunity to do work that I enjoyed, and to be able to support my family doing it. But as I continued to take on more clients and build my portfolio, I started to realize that there was real potential here to turn this into a full-fledged business.
And that’s how HerLaunch Studio was born. It was the culmination of all my skills and experiences – from my background in education to my freelancing journey, and everything in between. I wanted to create a space where I could combine my passions for design, technology, and entrepreneurship, and help other women do the same.
At HerLaunch Studio, I provide stunning and strategic websites for female entrepreneurs who are ready to make an impact in their industry. Through my Signature Website Experience, my clients receive a custom-designed website that showcases their unique brand identity and attracts the right people to their business. And because I know how precious time is, I’ve perfected a process to make it happen in just one week.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your online presence to the next level, I believe that every woman deserves a white-glove service that is tailored to their unique needs, and that’s exactly what HerLaunch Studio provides. I work closely with clients to ensure that every aspect of their website is aligned with their brand messaging, values, and vision.
As a website designer, I am passionate about helping other women showcase the heart and soul of their brand. I believe that every female entrepreneur has a unique vision and story to tell, and it’s my passion to help them bring that to life through stunning and strategic websites that truly reflect their brand identity. With my services, I aim to empower female entrepreneurs to elevate their online presence and confidently share their message with the world.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I used to think I had to play it safe and stay the course. This mentality led me to pursue a career in education, even though deep down, I knew I was a creative at heart. While I excelled as a teacher and administrator, I always felt unfulfilled and longing for something more.
I had been holding onto this idea that I had to do something safe and guaranteed, even if it didn’t align with my true passions and purpose.
I had to unlearn the lesson that playing it safe was the best option for me. Because it wasn’t the best option, it was a coping strategy that kept me comfortable, but it was never going to lead to actualization and fulfilling my potential.
I had to take a step back and reflect on what truly made me happy and fulfilled. I started to tap into the things I loved to do as a child: design, create, dance, sing, act, realizing that I needed to do more of those things. I needed to have the freedom to be creative, and to take risks.
I had to remind myself that life is short and I didn’t want to look back with regret, wondering what could have been if only I had taken the leap. I learned that playing it safe wasn’t going to help me get to where I wanted to be. Taking risks and pursuing my dreams was the only way to create a truly fulfilling life.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
As a former educator, I bring a unique approach to web design. My experience in teaching has helped me hone my skills in simplifying complex concepts and breaking down information in a way that is easy to understand.
I love empowering female entrepreneurs to take control of their online presence and showcase their brand in a way that is heart-centered and soulful. As a website designer, my goal isn’t just to design a beautiful website, but to provide guidance and support every step of the way, ensuring that my clients feel confident in their online presence long after their website is launched.
By being myself and bringing my passion and expertise to every project, I’ve built a reputation as a web designer who genuinely cares about the success of her clients. I approach each project with authenticity, enthusiasm, and a deep desire to help my clients shine like the stars they are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://herlaunchstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herlaunchstudio/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigefickbohm/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@herlaunchstudio