We recently connected with Sierra Lomax and have shared our conversation below.
Sierra, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I know the importance of telling your personal story. It helps you to connect with others and often times we find that we have so much in common with others that we didn’t even know. I created my company initially because I wanted to have another stream of income. But after going through an entrepreneurship program created by a local church, called Bible Center Church in Pittsburgh, Pa, I realized that building a company is more than the money that comes in and out. It’s about building relationships and having the creative vision to help tell the story of your client and their business. It’s about serving those who have a dream but aren’t sure how to bring it to reality. Everyone deserves a chance to be seen and by starting a graphic design company, I’ve been able to highlight businesses and get them the exposure that they deserve.
Sierra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Sierra Lomax, I am 29 and I am from Pittsburgh, Pa. I’ve been writing since I was a little girl and began journaling and doodling as a teenager. As a former child of the foster care system, writing poetry and drawing was my way of expressing myself and dealing with hard emotions. It was the easiest way for me to communicate and it helped me to release my anxious thoughts. I went to the University of Pittsburgh for undergrad and studied media and professional communications. During my junior year, I took a broadcasting class and fell in love with story telling through multimedia. I then took intro to journalism, intro to advertising and many other courses that aligned with my major. I loved the creative aspects of each of these and began using Canva to design posters and flyers for my family and friends. Then I began designing newsletters, business cards and logos for local businesses. During my senior year, I had the opportunity to be a co-author for a book along with 9 other women and I became a published author in 2021, which ignited my love for writing again and opened my heart up to sharing more of my personal story. I officially started my graphic design business, originally known as Sisi Tashay Design Co. in 2022 and enrolled in an entrepreneurship program called, Own Our Own. After 13 weeks of learning how to build a business, filing as a LLC, finding my target audience, etc., I successfully pitched my business to local professionals and graduated from the program with a $1,000 seed investment.
What I learned during that program was that many people dream of what they want their business to look like or how they want it feel, but they have a hard time getting that on paper and visualizing it. Also, when you begin branding your business, that’s when it becomes REAL and that can be intimidating for people. It’s a huge step to put yourself out there as an individual, let alone as a business owner. I wanted to be the person to help people see their dreams become reality.
After becoming an “official” business in 2022, I wanted to start getting clientele but I couldn’t connect with any business owners that needed my services on a consistent basis. I wanted to just jump head first and have a whole bunch of clients. That typically isn’t the norm when you are starting out. I became discouraged and removed my website from the internet and stopped promoting my business. I stopped taking clients and stopped creating.
In 2023, I began struggling with my mental health and felt lost when it came to deciding on what I wanted my future to look like. Just like adulthood, owning a business is hard and there aren’t really any blueprints for it, so I became defeated. I leaned more into my faith at this time and relied on my village for encouragement. In 2024, I began journaling regularly again and decided to section my notebook. I wanted to specifically write out the issues that I was facing mentally and emotionally so I could pin point where I needed to heal. Then I thought to design a journal for myself for artistic expression and to play around with designing again. I told my friends about it and began to think that I could sell these journals to others and they happily agreed.
I reached out to my scribe coach, Penda James, and she told me how to get everything set up to self publish via Amazon. I was terrified to put myself back out there and to share such a deeply personal project. I could’ve published it in August of 2024 but I let fear get the best of me. After the unexpected passing of my aunt in October of 2024, I realized how short life was and that God gave me this gift for a reason. As I created her obituary, I realized that there were so many things about her that I didn’t know. I wished that I would’ve taken the time to know her story better and I wondered what people would know about me when it became my time to leave this earth. Legacy started to become more important to me. I was reminded that writing is my gift. I thought about all of the people in our world that were hurting & needed something to help them too. In February of 2025, I published the Healing Journal, a 30 day guided journal inspired by the sections I created in my personal journal. I also relaunched my business under the name of Lomax Communications Group. When I think of legacy, I think of my heritage and my bloodline that goes back to Greenville, SC. I wanted to represent my family’s story of strength and resilience. I revamped my business and now offer marketing and social media management services.
I promoted the Healing Journal and my new business widely and have participated in two vending events since its launch. I also have began writing a book about my life and personal journey. In April 2025, I signed my first social media management contract for a local kid ride share service called, KidzRide.
I am proud that I did not give up on my business, but I’m more proud that I didn’t give up on myself. I took the time to find out who I wanted to be as a creative, as a person, and as a woman of God. That journey of self discovery helped bring clarity to my business. I want readers to know the value of knowing who you are and that it’s ok to pivot when things don’t work. It doesn’t mean give up, it means begin again.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Referrals for sure. Word of mouth is the best advertising. It’s free and it’s believable when someone is recounting an experience they had first hand. I got my first contract because a Facebook friend of mine recommended my business. I never met them personally or provided services to them, but they valued my content and work ethic and made sure to bring my name up at the right time.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative artist is when other people can relate to your art. Whether it’s writing, a painting, or a song. Even if it only impacts one person, I’m always so grateful that it resonated with others. I also love seeing people light up when they see their final designs for their business. You become part of their team and support system in a way because you want your clients to win and be successful.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Lomaxcomms_group
- Facebook: Lomax Communications Group
- Linkedin: Sierra Lomax
Image Credits
Aaliyah Bailey