Introducing Heather Carson, Founder and Owner of Memo Graphic Design

We are pleased to introduce the multi-talented Heather Carson of Memo Graphic Design! Connect with Heather on twitter and view her incredibly cool graphic and interior designs on memographicdesign.com. Enjoy the interview!

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah

Current Residence: Salt Lake City, Utah

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Design

Professional Background: After graduation I worked in a few design departments before taking off on my own. We have moved around a lot with my husbands school and employment. Creating my own design studio has allowed me to keep working in design wherever we land.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: A singer. I was convinced I was the next Reba

What you are: A designer.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: I am a freelance graphic designer. I work with clients to create visual memos- the small things that represent your brand to your clients such as logos and branding, packaging, ads, etc. These small things remind people of the longer message of what your business can offer them. I love being a designer because I get to share a little bit in the vision of other entrepreneurs and I love that.

Besides working as a graphic designer, I have been involved with a few other startups of my own. I opened an online home store with my sister in law, have helped my husband open a title agency, a law firm, and we are in various stages of a few other projects. It always starts with the idea that won’t let go. And before you know it, you have a business on your hands.

Company Website? http://www.memographicdesign.com

How long have you been in business? I”ve been a designer for 15 years.  However, I also have a family and some of those years were design project heavy and some were design project light. Most of my children are in school now and I have a few more hours in the day to devote to client work.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? First would have to be my parents. Both creative people who encouraged me to try new things. My father works in media and would bring home cool press kits for me. My mom was always drawing, painting, & practicing calligraphy.

Then maybe my first boss out of college who showed me that design was more than just knowing how to work some software.

Now my mentors would be the other designers that I meet through design events, blogs, on twitter… I’ve had some great conversations with other designers that inspire me to be better.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? Startup Princess of course

Current Business Challenge? Time management & ever changing technology that keeps me on my toes.

What are you doing about it? Trying to find methods to keep me balanced and attending continuing education courses to keep up with the changing tech.

Favorite motivational quote: Oh, that’s a hard one I LOVE QUOTES… if you read my other blog http://www.themodernhive.com, you know that

This is not really a quote, but more of a mantra for me- I love the saying “Live your beautiful situation“ It means to take what you have been given, find the beauty in it, and live your life the very best you can no matter the circumstance.

Family? I have six kids. Three girls and three boys including a set of triplets.  My oldest is 12 and my youngest is three.

If so, how do you balance family and business? I have studio time when my kids are in school. I set up a production schedule for myself and try to stick with it.

Favorite book? I love reading. I will read a book in one sitting so I have to be careful about starting new books. When I read, everything else goes out the window.

I did just finish a book called Glimmer by Warren Berger about design and being a design minded person. It was an amazing book. A great read and motivating to think outside the box. I’d recommend it for anyone starting up a business or wanting a nudge out of a creative rut.

What do you do to relax? Read, craft, crochet, go thrifting

What do you want to change most about your world? Can we have more hours in the day? Or the ability to stop time for a bit, catch up, then restart the clock? That’d be cool.

What are you most proud of? Well, besides my family- I’d say the ability to roll with the punches.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Start right : Don’t just start a business, create a brand. Get the best branding you can afford, look professional and put together in all elements where your clients interact with you.

Start small: Pay as you go, find the easiest methods to implement your ideas, take advantage of processes already out there. Don’t pretend you are a big corporation if it’s just you.

Start smart : Do your research. Take time to learn about your market, your business model, the legal issues of starting a business. Learn about marketing- traditional and new social media, have a plan & goals and benchmarks to hit, be adaptable and able to grow.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? My Mac + My Adobe Creative Suite + My Wacom Tablet

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Well, since I love vintage, thrifting, and finding new uses for old things, I’d have so say something maybe that wouldn’t be a precious stone to anyone else but me. Maybe some vintage buttons or found objects?