Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Mihalik.
Hi Nikki, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
While working toward what I thought was my “dream career” at The Getty, my dad died in an accident. In the weeks that followed that unexpected and life-changing event, I found myself rethinking everything—especially my career path. As much as I loved art, I realized my heart wasn’t in academia.
One afternoon, I opened the door to the Art Department and saw a room filled with drafting tables and markers. In that instant, it hit me: Forget studying art. I want to MAKE art.
Up until then, academia had been the safe route. I knew I could succeed at it if I worked hard enough. Pursuing something more creative, on the other hand, felt risky, and I was too afraid to fail. Losing my dad changed that. Suddenly, I had nothing to lose.
So, I quit my job, moved home to be with my mom, and enrolled in a two-year graphic and web design program. Within the first week, I knew I was in the right place. I started taking on small projects: coding websites from scratch, designing logos for family and friends, and creating layouts and ads for a local wedding magazine. One project led to another, and before long, I was busy enough to design full-time.
That’s when my little studio was born. I named it after a word my dad loved: Akula.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth in the sense that I’ve never gone back to a corporate job? Sure. Smooth in every other sense? Not at all. While school gave me the tools I needed to get started, I’ve had to learn everything about running a business on my own: from how to file tax paperwork and do my own accounting, to how to find clients and get paid enough to keep things running. I think my biggest struggle was finding the confidence to charge what my work was actually worth. When you’re just starting out, making $500 for a logo design sounds amazing. But then you learn how many hours goes into that project and discover you’re making below minimum wage. I may be alone here, but the more I love my job, the harder it is to fight for a bigger paycheck. Sometimes I get so lost in the creative process that I toss all business sense out the window. I’m still a WIP there.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a graphic and web designer who creates unique, story-rich brands for the visionaries behind beautiful spaces: interior designers, home builders, developers, real estate agents, vacation rental owners, and more. I’m best known for my attention to detail and layered designs – whether it’s weaving someone’s family history into a simple, modern logo or finding a way to add personality and texture to an elevated brand.
I’m not a talker. I’m a listener. I get to know each and every client on a deep level so I can create a beautiful identity system that stands the test of time. For this reason, I only work with one client at a time. Instead of making clients wait months for their files, I deliver everything within 2-3 weeks. (This is where my 17 years of experience comes in – my process is down pat!)
I’m most proud of (and most excited about) my print work. I LOVE paper, snail mail, and vintage presses. There is something so special about receiving a handwritten letter on gorgeous, letterpress printed stationery. In a world where everyone is trying desperately to stand out, one of the easiest ways to get someone’s attention is to write them a letter. One day, I hope to have a press of my own…preferably on a small ranch with a freestanding studio filled with dogs.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve worked with hundreds of small businesses over the past 17 years. The ones that succeed are the ones that a) listen to their customers, b) stay flexible, and c) put in the work. They aren’t stubborn. They take risks. They learn from their mistakes. And they *continually* strive to be better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://akulakreative.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akulakreative
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AkulaKreative
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkimihalik/
Image Credits
I have 2 photographers to credit:
Lightbulb League:
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Kimberly Chau:
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