Maggie Whitley Designs

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{a quick interview with Ahoy Graphics + giveaway}

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Filed Under: giveaway, shop feature

Kristen of Ahoy Graphics is a sponsor to the Gussy Sews community and is helping us welcome March with a fun, 5-question interview about herself and her design services.

Ahoy Graphics offers three types of services: Etsy shop design, printable design, or social media design, to help you make your shop or business perdy. I’ll let Kristen take it from here :]

The Interview ~

1. Share with us a little bit about yourself, your family & your handmade shop.
I’m a bookbinder, graphic designer, painter, art educator, owner of two Jack Russell Terriers and a Navy wife. We’re originally from Tennessee, in the outer Nashville area, and are currently stationed in an oh-so-sunny San Diego. I’ve enjoyed several years of freelance design work in the midst of teaching art and my bookbinding love affair.

2. How do you keep yourself inspired?
I’m constantly reading and exploring new sites but I find that my clients’ businesses prove to be the best inspiration for my work! I’m also a dog walker, I’ll use this personal time away from the desk to think through any “designer block” that I have.

3. What does a typical workday look like?
My typical workday is pretty streamlined, I wake around 8am and do all my house chores. By 10am, I’ll check in with my design consulting job. By noon, I’ll start my day at Ahoy by emailing design consultations and edit confirmations. Then I’ll quickly do some activity on my social media sites before heading into my part-time job as a dog-walker.

By around 2pm, I’m ready to design. I use “Get It Done” to keep all my jobs and deadlines organized. I always keep that and my email open throughout the day. I work with around 8-12 clients each day with many more with pending orders. I organize my workflow on a “first-come, first-serve” basis, working my way down the list. If I’m waiting on feedback for a project, I will skip over them and keep working until I hear back.

By 6pm-7pm, I’m finished sending out new drafts and notices to my clients. Over night, I will receive their feedback. If my husband is deployed or if I’m working with more than 8 clients in a day, you will find me designing well to midnight. I’m naturally a night-owl so this is the perfect time for me to design.

4. What are some recent business accomplishments you are most proud of?
When I’m given the opportunity for an amazing project, I have only my clients to thank! Recently, I’ve been uber excited over designing Rosamandola’s new branding suite, Assistly.com‘s new PR Kit Campaign, and the Hudson Public Library’s submission to the MLA PR Awards that will go inside one my hand-bound folios.

5. What are a few of your favorite handmade shops?
Ooh Pretty Shiny, Chicago Honey Co-op, Have It Sweet, Lemon Bird, Annie’s Sweatshop, Lime Green Modern, Yorktown Road, Byrd & Belle, Extra Seed, Lirola


Want to win $40 shop credit with Ahoy Graphics?

Leave a comment sharing how you’d use Kristen’s design skillz for your blog, shop, or business.

Giveaway ends Wednesday morning (3/9) and is open to the US only. For extra entries: blog tweet or facebook this {leave an extra comment for each}.

Join over 4,000 women who receive Maggie Whitley Designs inspiration & encouragement:

 

Comments

  10. Karen says

    I would love her services on a logo (the basic artwork is done but needs to be made into a logo.) or a big cartel page with social media links, or blog header…..lots of opportunities for help! Karenlw at com cast.

    Reply

  14. Southern Gal says

    I would love to win this. My friend and I have started a new children’s clothing business and would love to have a professionally crafted web site. What a great giveaway!
    Thanks for the chance.

    Reply

  24. jen hatzung says

    omg, i found Kristen’s page on your website last week and emailed her right away! I am going to start working with her soon. so excited! would love to win

    Reply

  29. Cristy says

    I’m about to go into teaching… I’m not exactly sure how she could help me, but I’m sure I could come up with something cool. I may want to adopt that graphic for ‘rosamandola’ as my 4th child though.

    Reply

  34. connie says

    I’d love a new avatar, blog assistance, new headers, etc…
    So many great things to choose from it would be a very tough decision.

    Reply

  42. Brenda Kula says

    I’m launching a promotional site for women and their cottage industries. I am also working on opening my own Etsy shop. I’d use her services for that.
    Brenda

    Reply

  43. Diane M. says

    I love hearing what other women are doing in today’s biz world. Thanks Gus!
    Seriously, with the new style FB biz page rolling me in on the 10th, with my heels dug in, I *need* a new avatar.
    Okay…lots of good changes there….I just don’t care for the page layout. “Blech!” to quote my favorite floppy eared dog.

    Reply

  54. Shannon says

    I would LOVE this. I so need a little refresher. The designer who did my blog doesn’t do it anymore and I love her so I need a new gal. :) I would love a few new graphics for Potamus Prefers.

    Reply

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