Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Steen.
Kristen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 2015, I started writing and lettering after I had just left my job as an elementary school teacher to stay at home and raise my daughter. I was in a few friends’ weddings that fall and they had asked me to write on chalkboards and signs since I was “crafty”. After making a few seating charts and wedding program boards, I soon took on envelopes and calligraphy and eventually expanded into invitation and logo design.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road hasn’t always been smooth or easy, but it’s absolutely been worth it. Sometimes, the biggest hiccups and disappointments have taught me the biggest lessons and have given me so much more knowledge and insight than I would have gained without that firsthand experience.
Specifically, one of the biggest struggles I’ve faced is with myself- not wanting to disappoint anyone and in turn, saying yes to too much. I’ve had to learn to stand up for myself and my brand, learning to say no to things that aren’t in line with my vision for my business, even if it seems like a cool opportunity. Not jumping on every opportunity for “exposure”, because frankly, exposure and followers don’t pay the bills. Most importantly, I’ve learned to say no to overcommitting so that I can say yes to what matters the most to me- my kids, my husband, my life as a mom. I’ve had to come to terms that not everyone is willing to accept that family comes first in my book, but that also means that I’m not for everyone – and that’s ok!
My biggest piece of advice for anyone just starting out is to know yourself, know your vision and know your worth. It’s hard not to compare ourselves to everyone else when all we see are the picture perfect Instagram posts, but your work is uniquely yours – take pride in it, put in the long hours and know that your work has value.
what should we know about Kristen Leigh Lettering & Design? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business offers calligraphy and one of a kind, completely custom invitation and logo design. I primarily offer wedding invitations and collaborate with brides from initial mood boards and color schemes up to addressing and stuffing every last invitation. One of my favorite aspects of my business is getting to know my couples and being able to create completely unique invitations for them that reflects their personalities. No two couples are a like and so their invitations, won’t be either. I love being able to provide wedding guests with the first impression of the wedding, that first glimpse into what they can expect if they attend. A lot of people think an invitation is just paper, but really it’s setting the tone for the event.
I’ve recently taken my designs and began working on business logos for local creatives. I love being able to take someone’s vision for what they want their brand to encompass and help bring it to life with a logo that embodies those values. Being able to play some small roll in taking a person’s passion and business to the next level with a visual representation of their work is a huge honor.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I think women hold a lot more power and strength than we often give ourselves credit for or receive from others for that matter. We have a certain tenacity and grit to just get the job done, even when it seems impossible. I think that’s why there is so much power behind the gender equality and #MeToo movements- band a few passionate women together and anything can happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kristenleighld.com
- Email: hello@kristenleighld.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kristenleighld
Image Credit:
Arzu Vargas Photography, Jenny Antill Photography
Stacy Anderson a Photography
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