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

Hi Tiffany, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I started my graphic design business, The Honest Pixel, in 2022, after making a big decision to leave a job that I had been at and loved for 11 year. For over a decade, I had worked at my church on the creative team doing a lot of graphic design, custom fabrication for events, and spatial installations. For most of that time, it was my dream job and I found so much joy in serving that community with my creativity. So, in 2021, when a set of circumstances made it obvious to me that I needed to make a shift, starting something of my own was both exciting and daunting.

When weighing the options of starting my own business or looking for a job at an agency, the idea of running my business with a focus on creative excellence and serving people well was what excited me most. I had the opportunity to run things the way I wanted, in line with my own vision, which I felt ready for. At the same time, I knew nothing about business and (unlike most full-time freelance designers) had not spent much time building a reputation or client list as an independent contractor. I knew that I would have to lean on my reputation for integrity and quality work, as well as some business mentors I was lucky enough to have in my life (my husband, my sister, Florida SBDC, and an online community of graphic designers who are so generous with their advice).

I was determined to start this business the right way so the first year involved learning a lot about contracts, pricing my work, web design, SEO, social media marketing, blogging, freelancer communities, lead generating and client on-boarding processes. That initial work has paid off because to date I’ve never had an invoice go unpaid, I’ve only had one project canceled, and I stay pretty fully booked (mostly with repeat clients that I love working with). I’m so glad I didn’t let the fears of whether I would get clients or how I would learn to run a business stop me from making this positive career move.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Tiffany Kelly and I own The Honest Pixel, a branding studio in Winter Garden, FL, specializing in designing logos, spaces, and brand identities. I craft unique, memorable, and authentic brands that get my amazing clients noticed. My purpose is to use my creativity and craftsmanship to inspire & empower others towards a life of joy, doing what they love within a diverse and unified community, rich with beauty & culture.

One thing that sets me apart is that I offer a service called Spatial Branding which is basically graphic design for interior and exterior spaces. It can solve problems such as unclear wayfinding, or boring, lifeless, outdated spaces. I help coffee shops, churches, and small businesses connect with their audience through engaging, inviting, and on-brand spaces that people love being in, taking photos of and bringing their friends to.

Studies have shown that the quality of a person’s environment deeply affects their happiness, so immersing people in beauty as they interact with a space is one of the best investments an organization can make in connecting with their audience. It’s an easily overlooked way to value and inspire people. One that brands like Starbucks, Apple, Google, and Target harness well.

Spatial Branding projects are super exciting because they usually include a cohesive package of elements such as exterior signage, window graphics, interior wall graphics, feature wall murals, wayfinding signage, theming for kids spaces, and/or materials and fixtures selections. I have a background in architecture (with a Master’s from RISD) and experience with custom fabrication so I have a natural tendency to visualize what’s on my computer screen coming to life in 3-dimensions.

I’m always excited to discuss potential projects, so if you have a graphic design need reach out anytime through my website www.thehonestpixel.com

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Passion and Integrity.

First I’ll speak to passion. You’ll never work a day in your life if you do what you love. And your work will be full of life if you’re endlessly excited about getting better and better. If you enjoy what you do and care about doing it well, that will show!

Now, about integrity. Yes, I run a business and I value my time and have sales goals I’d like to hit. But I choose to do all that with a priority on building relationships, establishing trust and doing my best work on each and every project. Sometimes I take on lower paying projects for nonprofits or churches, and I love that I have the opportunity to bring just as much care and attention to those projects. I also believe that providing a clear, thorough and transparent process for clients allows them to put their trust in you as the expert, ultimately resulting in a more enjoyable project and a higher-quality result. I don’t think enough can be said about being a kind, respectful human within the business world. I often have clients hiring me for multiple projects or referring me to people they know because they genuinely enjoy working with me and feel that I’m part of their team, so they look for opportunities to collaborate with me again. That’s the kind of reputation that is lasting and impactful.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Graphic Design offers the rewarding opportunity to solve problems with solutions that are both artistic and strategic. I love the mix of inspiration and thoughtfulness that each project requires. I also believe that all creativity has origins with God who is the creator of all things, so designing is a somewhat spiritual practice for me. I get a sense of satisfaction in knowing that a talent I am hardwired with is being cultivated by serving organizations and helping them beautify their surroundings.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.thehonestpixel.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanykellycreative/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehonestpixel/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-kelly-ba5478ba/