We recently had the chance to connect with Kathryn Hinnant and have shared our conversation below.
Kathryn, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Something I’m most proud of — though few people ever notice — is the level of intentional creativity I pour into each Scout Guide I produce. I love weaving subtle Easter eggs and hidden clues throughout, hinting at future volumes and their themes.
For example, the recently released Volume 9 of The Scout Guide Houston was inspired by Studio 54. The logo’s “54” was actually designed as “5+4,” a quiet nod to the ninth edition. Even the outfits I wear in major social media posts are carefully chosen to foreshadow the next guide’s color palette.
I also approach each client photoshoot like a visual storyteller — ensuring their imagery aligns with the overall tone and personality of the volume they’re featured in. I call it “putting on my Taylor Swift hat,” because I love embedding meaning and continuity into my work.
Why? Because I believe creativity should be both seen and felt. These hidden layers give me artistic freedom and keep the process playful — while rewarding those curious enough to look a little closer.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Kathryn Hinnant — Editor and Owner of The Scout Guide Brazos Valley and The Scout Guide Houston, and Founder of Monarch Atelier, a creative studio dedicated to branding, storytelling, and design for businesses that lead with heart and vision.
Through The Scout Guide publications, I champion exceptional local businesses — the makers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who define the character of their communities. After several years leading The Scout Guide Houston, I expanded by opening the Brazos Valley territory to bring that same level of connection, creativity, and local pride to a new region.
Each guide I produce is more than a publication — it’s a curated celebration of artistry, integrity, and community. I approach every project like a creative collaboration, combining thoughtful photography, timeless design, and meaningful storytelling to make local businesses not just seen, but remembered.
At my core, I do what I do because I’m a creator — and I want to share that creativity with the world. It’s taken time and growth to feel truly proud and confident in my work, but I’ve learned that art is meant to invite perspective. Everyone will see it differently, and that’s the beauty of it. My hope is that through my work — whether it’s a magazine, a brand identity, or a community event — people feel something genuine, intentional, and inspiring.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Growing up, basketball was a huge part of my life — my first real love in sports and teamwork. I was captain of my high school varsity team, and my coach, Stacey Marshall, remains one of my greatest inspirations to this day. She saw who I was at 16 before I ever did. She called me “the connector” — someone who cared less about individual recognition and more about uniting the people around me. I wasn’t focused on building one-on-one relationships so much as creating harmony across the team — making sure everyone felt seen, valued, and part of something bigger.
Looking back, that quality has never left me. It’s exactly what I do now in my work — bringing people from different worlds together, creating connection and collaboration where it matters most.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“Believe in yourself!”
Growing up, I was timid and often my own worst critic. (Honestly, I still can be.) But over time, I’ve learned to take that voice with a grain of salt. I don’t talk down to myself the way I used to. Instead, I remind myself to fail forward — to welcome failure as the only true way to learn and grow. It’s not about how hard you fall; it’s about how you rise, what you glean from it, and who you become because of it.
For a long time, I didn’t believe in myself — I didn’t see myself as strong. But confidence is built, not given. And if I could tell my younger self anything, it would be to trust her instincts sooner and stand taller in her own potential. Believing in yourself isn’t arrogance — it’s the foundation for becoming who you’re meant to be.
To every young entrepreneur out there: believe in yourself and see where it takes you.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
“The biggest lie my industry tells itself is that print is dead.”
It’s one of those phrases that gets repeated so often people stop questioning it — but it’s simply not true. Print isn’t dead; what’s dead is uninspired print. The kind of print that forgets its purpose, that treats paper like a billboard instead of a storytelling canvas.
In a world of scrolling and swiping, print has actually become more powerful, not less. It asks you to slow down, to touch, to connect — and in doing so, it creates trust and memory in a way a fleeting post never will. A beautifully crafted printed piece feels intentional. It has weight, texture, and longevity. People keep it on coffee tables, gift it to friends, display it in offices. It becomes part of a space — not just a moment in a feed.
What The Scout Guide does so well, and what I’ve built my career around, is reimagining what print can be. Our guides aren’t disposable marketing — they’re collectible works of art. Every page is carefully designed, photographed, and curated to celebrate craftsmanship and community. They live in people’s homes for years, not minutes.
Digital media is important — of course it is — but it’s also fleeting. Print endures. It gives people something to hold, to feel, to revisit. And that’s why I’ll always believe that thoughtful, high-quality print isn’t dying at all. It’s evolving — and for those of us who do it right, it’s thriving.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I’ve learned that communication is more essential now than ever. In a world where most of us spend our days looking down at our phones, real conversation is becoming rare — and that makes it invaluable. Compromise, understanding, compassion, and storytelling all live at the heart of meaningful communication. When those things fade, lines get blurred, crossed, and misunderstood. That’s why I always tell my clients: the more openly we communicate, the better your experience — and your ROI — will be.
Earlier in my career, I often moved fast just to get things done. Now, I’ve learned the value of slowing down and truly listening. I practice patience, invite dialogue, and give ideas time to develop. I don’t make hasty decisions — I seek clarity through conversation. Because at the end of the day, communication isn’t just how I work — it’s what makes the work. When we talk, listen, and stay connected, that’s when creativity thrives, relationships strengthen, and results follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.monarchatelier.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monarchatelier/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-hinnant-37016b12b/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monarchatelier
- Youtube: https://vimeo.com/user228849017
- Other: https://thescoutguide.com/brazos-valley/virtualguide/
https://www.instagram.com/tsgbrazosvalley/https://thescoutguide.com/houston/virtualguide/
https://www.instagram.com/houston/
Image Credits
Photos by: Lauren Holub, Beth Symons, and Kasey S Consulting.
