From three-time uni dropout to 6 figure designer
For the very first episode of my podcast Brandology, I thought it would be fitting to give a little backstory about me. I absolutely love hearing the ‘origin stories’ from other business owners and hearing about the events that led them to where they are today. My story has a couple of twists and turns - I never thought I’d be a business owner, and being a designer wasn’t something I even considered when it came time to choose a career for myself. But looking back at my life, I can see how each experience helped get me to where I am today, and I’m grateful for all of it.
In this podcast, I chat about my childhood and upbringing, and how moving countries multiple times led me to seek out an online community of friends when I was young. This allowed me to find the world of browser-based games (this was back around 2007). I discovered Neopets, Horseland, Horse Phenomena and forum roleplaying games. These games were how I got my first taste of design, creative writing, and how I started learning to code. At the age of 12, I found myself running my own little ‘business’, selling graphics I’d made and websites I’d coded to other players for in-game money.
Despite having this ‘business’ and thoroughly enjoying it, I never once considered that this could become an actual career. Once I entered high school and had to start planning my future, I decided to try and get into medicine. Although I’m a creative soul, I’m also very science-minded (probably why I love the strategy side of branding so much!). I didn’t think it was possible to make money in a creative field, and I wanted a good career for myself. After my mum received a shock cancer diagnosis when I was in my final year of school, I spent a lot of time with her in hospital which cemented my decision to go into medicine and become a doctor. I was so excited, but sadly didn’t make it into the degree. It’s a very tough 3 stage process when you apply straight out of school. I made it to the third and final stage but didn’t get through.
I then had to come up with a plan B, which is where I started - and dropped out of - three different degrees: radiography (which I went into with the hope I could transfer into medicine once I finished), science, and information technology. I never felt I was on the right path, so I didn’t want to waste my time finishing degrees I wasn’t 100% passionate about. While I was studying information technology, I had a unit where we were tasked with designing and building a website. This is when I realised this is what I used to do when I was younger - and I really enjoy.ed it. However, the rest of the degree was quite technical, and I realised my heart was calling for something more creative - so I dropped out.
This is when I finally realised what I wanted to do, and all the puzzle pieces came together. I enrolled in a Bachelor of Communication Design and enjoyed every single second. I knew this was what I wanted to do. I finally found my path! I got a job straight out of university at a design agency and felt like I was living my dream life for a little while…until the rose coloured glasses came off. I felt like I wasn’t able to be my complete creative self at the agency - I couldn’t choose my projects, I was working on things I wasn’t passionate about, and I started to realise that the agency life wasn’t for me.
COVID hit in March 2020, and that’s when I knew I wanted to go out and work for myself - but I was scared. I was too scared to make that move and take the risk. Everything came to a head in February 2021 when my mum passed away unexpectedly, at the young age of 63. That was the point when I realised I had to start living for ME. You just don’t know when your time is up. You don’t know when your last day on earth is. For all I knew, I could have died tomorrow - and I knew I didn’t want to spend those last days miserable at my old job. Mum dying gave me a renewed perspective on life, and it really pushed me to follow my dreams and do what truly makes me happy. In the weeks after her funeral, I channelled my emotions and grief into building Haven Studio. The name means ‘a place of safety or refuge’ - and that’s exactly what my business was for me during this difficult time. It was a place I could go that was filled with hope, joy and creativity - a place where I could live my best life.
I officially launched the studio in May 2021, and left my job in June 2021 to pursue Haven Studio full-time. For the first time in my life, I had this unwavering self-belief that I was on the right track and I could make this work. I just knew I could make it happen. And I did - I was able to double my old job’s income in the first year of running Haven Studio, with the business bringing in well over 6 figures. I’m so proud to be able to help other women build their dream lives (by building their dream businesses). I know how it feels to be living out of alignment and longing to turn your passion into something profitable - and that’s why I do what I do.
I go into much more detail on my life and business in the podcast episode, so definitely give it a listen if you’re interested! Make sure to follow/subscribe to the podcast on whatever platform you listen on so you don’t miss an episode. New episodes drop weekly on Wednesday, and I’d love to have you in the Brandology family!
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