Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Barnhart.
Hi Amanda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I always knew I could essentially branch out from the corporate world and start my own design business because I think graphic design is one of those skill sets that is easy to execute as a freelancer or work on the side. BUT I just was hesitant because I’m such a people person and at the time I was leading a team of designers in a director role and loved that community aspect. I was in my absolute dream job in publishing & designing books and marketing assets! But ultimately the idea to start my own because came a few months after i had my first son. I was raised within a family of entrepreneurs and a lifestyle with parents that didn’t live within the corporate 9-5. I wanted that flexibility and freedom not only in my life but in how I ultimately envisioned being a mother. I knew the only way to do that was to step out on my own.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
To branch out owning my own design studio, I started by doing both things at the same time: I was still at my day job 9-5, but also began to build the foundation to secure 2 clients on the side. I had long time client from a previous work experience already under my belt so i really just needed to find one more. I put some feelers out and through a connection i was introduced to another client that needed daily marketing emails. This was easy to automate and incorporate into a morning routine.
This looked like getting up at 5:00am to work 5-7:30am on freelance client work and then going to my actual job 9-5—all with a newborn baby. but i saw the vision and kept the course. It was exciting and new.
I knew running my own business would mean I have to wear all of the hats. From being the designer to the client management side, to the finance side. A huge challenge was book-keeping for me. For the first two years, I just winged it using savvy excel sheets with formulas. I thought this was good enough but it became unmanageable.
It was a learning curve and a challenge, but when I implemented an invoicing and project management time tracking program, it was revolutionary. I had more time to do actual design work and less book keeping. It was a smarter, more efficient move that just took a little bit of time on the front end. I wish I had done that sooner.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a design / creative director primary for clients and brands that need branding, packaging, and design needs. This is the bio on my website, maybe you can work with something here and reword it?
Amanda Barnhart is a Creative Director and Designer with over a decade of experience. Specializing in comprehensive branding and design, she brings a creative vision and strategic approach that empowers clients to effectively achieve their company goals. Successfully running her own creative studio for 5 years after time working in publishing and advertising, Amanda understands how to craft brand identities that not only captivate visually but also align seamlessly with the broader narrative and objectives of each client’s creative needs.
Outside of design work, Amanda finds joy in family time with her two boys and husband, running, and sipping a glass of rosé while calling Greenville, South Carolina home.”
What sets me apart is my experience, attention to detail, and passion for excellence. While many in the creative field flocked to web design and coding, I honed my craft of staying true to branding and packaging (books, boxes, liquor bottles – things in the real world) that you can touch and feel.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Seeing that risks are worth it and attracting the right clients makes work rewording and so much fun. Just START. I didn’t wait for everything to line up perfectly. I didn’t wait to have all the t’s crossed and I’d dotted. I watch other people talk about ideas or pursuits they have, but get caught up in the weeds and never start. Have the courage to believe in yourself each day. Shoot high, stay focused and be excited. Joy is contagious and it’ll pour out into every area of your business. Make it fun.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://creativeab.com
- Instagram: amandamichelle.b
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-barnhart-880b993b/
