Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Knowles.
Hi Katie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started my business as a hobby while working full-time as a physician assistant in June 2019. I had a friend getting married that October and had the idea to create a welcome sign and some other small signage for her wedding, which she accepted. I have a distinct memory of, upon her agreement to be my guinea pig for my artistic creations, dreaming up the idea of starting a side hustle and, shortly after that, landed on the name “Holy City Handwriting” as a reflection of the art I created in the city I loved, my home. Then, I had my first memory of falling in love with crafting for others on the most meaningful day of their lives. I knew I wanted to create for weddings, but I was focused on my career of caring for patients and learning all I could about medicine. In my free time, though, I was writing and practicing hand-lettering using any markers or pens I could find and posting everything I wrote on social media.
Little by little, I started getting inquiries from friends and acquaintances in the area. During the first year, I also gained opportunities to create for some local wedding planners and some unique Charleston businesses. Over time, I wanted to lean further into the wedding industry and custom event space. I ultimately grew by being a “yes” person and essentially accepting every job I could, researching, learning, and figuring it out along the way. I finally picked up a nib and ink to teach myself pointed pen calligraphy instead of using felt-tip pens and markers over 3 years into the business. This is when I started to channel my design emphasis and develop my unique style. I studied the tools and spent countless hours watching other calligraphers’ strokes and styles on Instagram, practicing every spare second I had outside of my full-time job.
When my husband, Daniel, and I married in 2022, I had the fantastic opportunity to create invitations for my wedding. That was the first time I was introduced to the incredible art of invitation design. I became enthralled entirely by making the paper pieces to announce the most important day of someone’s life, and I knew then that this was where I wanted to land my business. Over the next year, I invested in education on graphic design and digitizing calligraphy while primarily continuing to create a day of signage for weddings. During this time, I was getting busier and made the tough decision to leave what I initially thought was my dream job in emergency medicine to devote more time to growing this business. I met with planners, created samples, hired an assistant, and participated in some styled shoots and editorials that helped showcase my printed work. I continued saying “yes” to try new things. During this transition, I’ve realized that the business has grown beyond “Handwriting,” as the name initially depicted. The name is limiting in the description of what I do, so I decided in January 2024 to rebrand and change the name to what is now Katie Knowles Design and Calligraphy Studio. I am entirely humbled and overwhelmed with gratitude for the experience I’ve been lucky to have over the last almost 5 years. After starting this business as a small hobby on the side, I’m blown away at the opportunity it’s provided me. I am so thankful for everyone whose support and encouragement of this business has brought it here. I cannot wait for what the next 5 years hold!
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Simple answer: Yes and No. My biggest obstacle was navigating how to balance a full-time job and running/growing a small business. Many other business owners agree that they become obsessed with the business and essentially live, eat, breathe, and dream about the business, and everything else quickly starts to come second. This is a double-edged sword as it helps with growth, but I quickly learned a lesson in burnout and taking care of myself first. I still struggle with this, but throughout the process, I am constantly reminded of this important concept. I’m fortunate, though, to live in a city with such an incredible small business community and a wedding industry that has such a significant presence. In this regard, it has been “smooth” per se. There is so much to go around, so many people to connect with and learn from, and so much opportunity, so I don’t know if I would have had that anywhere else.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I describe my business as a “boutique wedding invitation and stationery studio emphasizing handwritten calligraphy.” That means that I create custom, unique, high-end paper products for weddings and celebrations surrounding weddings (think invitations, save the dates, and day-of pieces such as menus, place cards, bar and drink signage, etc – we can get creative!). In terms of my work, my business is unique because my emphasis lies within my modernized spin on traditional calligraphy. Therefore, my job is inherently distinctive, as no one else shares my style. Professionally, my attention to detail, true devotion, and care in caring for my clients and building a relationship with them through the process make me different. I don’t want to have a transactional interaction with my clients – I want them to love working with me truly!
What matters most to you?
People genuinely love their products and feel cared for; neither is more important. The reason is simple: they’re pursuing custom work because they want something unique. I want to provide that to them in terms of the physical product I deliver and the experience I provide. If someone receives a beautiful product but does not feel appreciated as a client, the product’s value to them is less. The inverse is also true, so that’s what matters to me: I want to add to the product’s value with the experience and relationship we build together.
Pricing:
- Custom dependent on the project
Contact Info:
- Website: katieknowlesdesign.com
- Instagram: @katieknowlesdesign
Image Credits
MK McConaghy, Haley Jane Photography, and Hollyn G Photography
