Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sue Hough. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sue, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

A project that really stands out to me is “SHE Week,” an event created by the Women In Business committee at the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. I was part of the committee and played a key role in bringing this one-week event to life. We not only worked on the branding and graphics, but I also helped highlight the importance of diversity by organizing a panel of minority women to share their experiences and struggles with race. I was even one of the speakers and shared my own personal story too.

I also came up with the idea of SHEROES – a way to recognize and honor women who are doing amazing things in our community through nominations and awards.

SHE Week has been a huge hit with our business community and sells out every year. We’ve had incredible speakers, workshops, and sessions, plus a SHE Pitch competition. Women leave feeling inspired, uplifted, and empowered. In fact, I’ve had people tell me it completely changed their lives, with some even making major decisions afterward that have had a positive impact on their journeys. SHE Week has been such a success that it’s won a national award and has even inspired other Chambers of Commerce to create their own versions of the event, adding their own unique twist. How awesome is that?

Sue, 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 own Octavo Designs, a graphic design business that’s about to celebrate a major milestone—our 25th anniversary in April 2025! Octavo is a small, but mighty team of incredibly talented creatives who not only do fabulous work but are also just genuinely great people to work with.

My journey into graphic design started a bit unexpectedly. I actually went to school for fashion design, but it was during my time there that I discovered my passion for graphic design. I was fascinated by the power of design to communicate, inspire, and make an impact. So, I shifted focus and started creating for print. Eventually, I took the leap to start my own business and even acquired a website company along the way, allowing me to expand the services we offer.

We work with a diverse range of clients—from large associations to small businesses and nonprofits. Our reach spans not just the tristate area, but across the country. We specialize in branding, websites, environmental branding, custom illustrations, and wearables. More recently, we’ve been diving into food and beverage packaging, which has been incredibly exciting for us!

What sets Octavo Designs apart is our goal to create designs that are not just professional, but truly unique and memorable with a bit of an edge. We aim to give our clients a brand that makes them stand out from their competition—something that stops people in their tracks and makes them say, I’ve got to have that! It’s about creating a visual identity that grabs attention and leaves a lasting impression.

What I’m most proud of is seeing our clients succeed with the designs that we create. It’s incredibly fulfilling to hear that our design concepts have made such an impact on their businesses. Some have even told me that opening our emails with design concepts feels like Christmas! Or that their branding is so polished and professional that people think their businesses are bigger than they actually are. Moments like those remind me why I love what I do.

The best part of my job, though, is the relationships we build with our clients. They aren’t just clients to us; they’re friends. We love supporting them as they grow and seeing the positive results from the designs we create together. At the end of the day, it’s all about helping our clients shine and succeed.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been forming strategic partnerships with individuals and businesses that can refer clients to us. These relationships are beneficial because they align with their own business goals and create a natural opportunity for us to work together. I’m not the best salesperson, so I’ve found that relying on referrals, these partnerships, and repeat business has been the most successful approach for us.

I’m also involved in a few local networking organizations. These groups have been invaluable not just for building community connections, but also for volunteering and creating meaningful relationships. By participating in these organizations, I’ve had the chance to form friendships that have naturally led to business opportunities, making them a great way to grow our client base while also giving back to the community.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect is seeing our designs out in the world—whether it’s a window display we did for a nonprofit, packaging for a whiskey label, or interior graphics inside a business. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about knowing that our work is part of something bigger and helping to bring a brand to life in such visible, impactful ways.

But as much as I love seeing our designs out there, I think what really makes it all worth it is hearing the happiness in a client’s voice when we hear about their wins. For example, we did some branding and packaging for two teenage brothers who created a Mambo Sauce. Every milestone they reached felt like a win for me too. They’re such a wonderful family, and I’m so proud to have them as clients. Their branding continues to be one of my absolute favorites because it’s tied to their passion and success. Knowing that we played a role in their journey is what truly makes this work so rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.8vodesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octavodesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/octavodesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1872373/