We were lucky to catch up with Sheryl Cota recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sheryl, appreciate you joining us today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?
I was working as a Marketing Manager for a manufacturing company for 3 years. As their business slowed down, I found myself being laid off. Unemployed.
With 2 kids at home and over 20 years of experience as a graphic designer, I decided to start freelancing and see where that took me. I began calling the creative marketing groups to see if there was any freelance work that I could do and was put on list after list all the while looking for a job.
Being over 40, with 20 years of graphic design experience, and only an associate degree, it seemed I was overqualified and too old.
So I looked into possibly starting my own company but decided to see if there was a market for it first. I visited a few business networking groups and was amazed by the lack of graphic designer businesses..
So I got started with networking then gradually coming up with my company name and brand.
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
I first realized I wanted to be a graphic designer when I was 16. A teenager my age gave me a business card with his name and title on it. I immediately enrolled in a vocational program in high school to learn more about being a graphic artist.
I design customized print and digital marketing branding materials to help owners brand their businesses. Whether it’s a brochure, logo, website, or social media, the designs I create spotlight a company’s product or service with a professional and appealing look.
I really enjoy helping my clients understand the importance of branding and we through each step of the design process together till the design or marketing project is approved.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I began my graphic design experience in the 1990’s. If 2000, I stopped working when I had my first child. As time went on, technology changed…a lot!
In 2011, I decided to get back into the graphic design industry learning that where there was print, now there were websites, phone apps, and digital files. I went back to school in 2012 putting all I knew behind me and began the digital part of my journey in design.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My main goal or mission is to help small businesses and start-ups put their best foot forward when presenting their product or service.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cotadesign-tx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cota.design.tx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/COTADesign.TX
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherylcota/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDvCEpHAHxmhD75dcNFjEQA
Image Credits
Cota Design owns all rights and privileges for all images