Best way to keep a competitive edge

Always keeping my finger on the pulse of what's going on in the design community, whether it's going to clubs, art galleries, museums, concerts or other creative industry events. For me, this keeps the inspiration light burning bright.

Guiding principle in life

I appreciate good design. Fortunately, there is a lot of bad design which gives me motivation to keep doing what I'm doing.

Yardstick of success

Good question. I'm still learning and growing. Your magazine is a first step at success. Thanks.

Goal yet to be achieved

Working on more environmentally-friendly packaging design. I currently work on plenty of wine and juice labels and point-of-purchase packaging projects. I would really love the opportunity to expand my package design skills to more green product packaging projects. Hint hint!

Best practical advice

It never hurts to try. The worst thing that can happen is to fall down and dust yourself off.

Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture

My husband and business partner, Anthony Hall, has been a great source of inspiration and guidance. He always tells me to be happy and think positive. He's the optimistic-type.

Mentor(s) and why?

This may sound bad, but my biggest mentor has been myself. I have the will to succeed in life. I am the first in my family to get a college degree and first to start a business. I have the will to prove to my family that the sacrifices they've made for me have not gone to waste. Other mentors have been fellow designers and artists I've had he pleasure of working with.

What motivated you to get started?

Before college I thought I wanted to be a journalist. I say "thought" because I could never point to why it was. When I discovered that a newsroom had an in-house design department I knew then I wanted to design, not write. I had been doing graphic design since age 7 in my room cutting up ads and creating my own magazines and flyer's. From that point on, I enrolled into college and now I’m doing what I have been doing almost all my life.

Like best about what you do?

My profession gives me the opportunity to learn and experience other professions/jobs. When working on a design project I always research and submerge myself in the subject matter. After the project, I am not left with one more project under my belt, but with a bank of knowledge learned about my client’s business and their clients.

Like least about what you do?

Keeping track of time in the day to get to other projects at hand.