Have you wondered what it really takes to start a freelance graphic design business? Or maybe you’re read to take your freelancing full-time and are looking for real-life inspiration!

 

Our Aventive Academy graduates have done it all, and we’re sharing their stories with you in our Student Success series.

 

Today we’re speaking with our student Kristan McArthur who took both courses in our Freelance Money-Making Bundle. Kristan is a talented designer and businesswoman, and we’re excited to share her story today!

 

Hi Kristan! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m Kristan and I am a graphic designer. I offer visual identity, web design, and digital design services for most industries. However, I wish to specialize my services within the food & dining industry — pastry shops, diners, food trucks, and local and national eateries!

 

I started my design career 14 years ago, directly after graduating design school. While building my freelance career, I worked retail jobs, online gigs, and small graphic design contract jobs. My goal is to pursue my passion of creating eye-catching and fabulous designs for the food & dining industry full-time within the next year.

 

What type of graphic design services do you offer?

I started out as a general graphic designer bouncing around from all types of industries. However, I always loved food from coming up with delicious menu layouts, digital banners and attractive logos…food & dining is my heart!

 

Now I offer branding and web packages for businesses in the food & dining industry. You can find me online at my website here and on Instagram here.

What inspired you to enroll in the AA courses? 

I stumbled upon Aventive Academy through an Instagram ad, and after reading Kady’s content, I knew this was the direction that I needed to follow.

 

Before discovering Kady’s course I felt like I hit a brick wall and was at a dead-end in my design career. It was like Kady read my mind and offered exactly what I needed to achieve future success for my graphic design business.

 

Plus I really liked how Aventive Academy gears their learning tools for women. After attending an Aventive Academy webinar, I was hooked, and I know I have Kady and a team of amazing women to help guide my path to an amazing freelance design future!

 

How have the courses helped you become a better freelance business owner? 

Through the courses, I learned to niche my graphic design business down to build a more lucrative client-base. I also gained wonderful tools from creating my service agreement, a unique business proposal, and a variety of pricing structures.

 

Before attending Aventive Academy, I lacked the business skills to help me connect with clients. The course has been an eye-opener for me, and my entire business mindset has changed for the better! I am learning exciting and profitable business skills everyday through the AA courses.

 

What is your process for finding and landing clients online? 

Before the Aventive Academy courses, I would run Instagram ads and attend online networking events. I believe once I niche down my services I will begin to connect with clients via Linkedin rooms, Google ads, and attending food & dining networking events.

What is something that you’re most proud of when it comes to your freelance career? 

Being able to live a lifestyle within my terms and doing what I love: designing for the food & dining industry!

 

What are some of your long-term goals? 

I would love to have a significant profit increase and work with exciting clients in the near future.

 

What is your number one piece of advice for aspiring freelance graphic designers? 

If you ever feel at a loss and want to give up: pray and pause to allow yourself to gain awareness into yourself and how much you want this for your life.

 

What concept from the AA course(s) would you suggest that every freelance graphic designer learn, and why? 

 The niching-down module was very helpful for me because I was afraid to narrow-down to a specific industry due to losing out on clients. Aventive Academy offered a strategy on how to find my niche and move forward with confidence!

 

What do you consider your most successful design project, and why? We would love to see some of your work.

My most successful design projects were for a few close friends who work within the travel and counseling industries. I loved how they gave me freedom with the design process, and the overall design outcome improved their sales and brand awareness.

 

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?

To be honest most of my design ideas appear overnight while I am asleep! I find myself having to quickly jot down the ideas so I won’t forget them the next day! I also gain inspiration through scrolling through Envato designs.

 

When you’re not designing, do you have a favorite free time activity you like to do?

I enjoy gardening, cooking and watching movies with friends and family.

---

Thank you Kristan for being part of Aventive Academy! We appreciate you talking with us today, and we love to see our students grow their freelance businesses, niche down, and be seen as experts in the graphic design field.