Design Blog by Ember & Co | Boutique Design Studio

Awesome Black Friday Deals for Creative Business Owners (2018 Edition)

November 26, 2018November 21, 2018

It’s that time of year again! Can you believe it?! Last time I checked it was February. It’s been a busy, busy year for Ember & Co. I’ve never been a huge fan of the Black Friday frenzy — as a peace-loving introvert, the idea of rushing around a packed store competing for the chance to snatch up a good deal sounds downright exhausting. I’d much rather spend my day off sipping tea by the fireplace. But I also love a …

10 Best Apps for Creative Business Owners

September 10, 2018September 10, 2018

Ever feel like your business is running you, rather than the other way around? I want to share more about my journey from business burnout to business balance — Let’s jump into my list of the 10 best apps for creative business owners!

Planning for Success: Simplify Your Client Intake Process with Acuity

June 6, 2018June 6, 2018

Have you ever found yourself spending what feels like 2,000 hours emailing clients back and forth to discuss schedules for meetings or consultations? Yep, I feel you. It wasn’t long after I took my design business full time that I began experiencing inbox overwhelm. I felt like I was constantly getting bombarded with emails, and it was especially frustrating when it was simply a back-and-forth about meeting times. It was keeping me from focusing on my most valuable work, and …

Which Website Platform is Best for Me? WordPress vs. Squarespace vs. ShowIt

May 21, 2018March 7, 2018

So, you’re thinking about building out a new website…exciting! And now it’s time for you to consider a host, a domain, a website platform…Wordpress vs. Squarespace vs. ShowIt — it can be a little overwhelming! Especially if you’re new to a lot of this. But it’s worth it! Having a strong website presence can do amazing things for your business. It will build your businesses’ reputation, increase brand credibility/professionalism, and give you an incredibly personal, strategic platform to connect with …

Your Comprehensive Guide to Logo File Types

May 21, 2018March 2, 2018

Y’all, I have a really exciting resource to share with you today. Seriously, this is gold. A couple of weeks ago I introduced you to Morgan Stapp. She is an ABSOLUTE gem and a super talented fellow designer. I am so thankful to have met her, and cannot emphasize enough how valuable it is to have a tribe/community of like-minded humans to support and collaborate with. My advice for you today: Find your Morgan. 😉 Now, without further ado, Morgan …

The Stress-Free Method To Identifying Your Ideal Client

May 21, 2018February 16, 2018

Raise your hand if you’re a small business owner who feels like you’ve been trying to do it all lately ✋ Yep, I’ve been there, too. You and I wear a lot of different hats on a daily basis and it can be overwhelming trying to keep your biz afloat while building a foundation that can last. One of my favorite things about working for myself is the opportunity I’ve had to meet like-minded business owners who totally get the …

#TipTuesday: What is the Pantone Color Matching System and why should I care?

November 21, 2018January 9, 2018

Hey! Can I get real nerdy on your for a sec? #itsbecauseiloveyou #ipromise Are you a small business owner who gets your logo/branding regularly printed, embroidered, or otherwise reproduced? Are you ever frustrated by the lack of color accuracy or confused as to how you can assure that the colors match next time? Pantone Color Matching System is here to save the day! Here’s why it rocks:

Resources for Introverted Creative Female Business Owners Interview

One of my new FAVORITE websites for Creative (Introverted) Lady Bosses + My Interview!

April 17, 2018November 16, 2017

Caitlin, here. FUN NEWS! I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Stacy Carosa of The Natural Wanderer, a website/online community with a mission to help soulful, creative business owners (like you and I) become, discover, celebrate, and LOVE our best self — in business and in life. ➡ Read the Interview Now: Soul Talk Interview: Caitlin Thompson During the interview, I found myself really connecting with Stacy’s mission and the heart of The Natural Wanderer. Their IG (@@thenaturalwanderer) …

Apparel Design for I Choose Beauty, "It's Going to Be Okay"

Client Spotlight: #IChooseBeauty

May 8, 2018November 6, 2017

One of the reasons I LOVE being a graphic designer is the opportunity I’m given to meet AMAZING humans doing amazing work. Sahar of “I Choose Beauty” is definitely one of those humans. After years of struggling with depression, Sahar decided to choose beauty and start documenting the beauty she saw each day with a photo. She posted her photos on Instagram using the hashtag #IChooseBeauty and after a week, she realized that she was feeling much more hopeful — so …

Featured on Kira-Whitney.com: Ember & Co Branded Photoshoot

April 17, 2018September 25, 2017

If any of you have seen my last professional photoshoot, you know that I’ve been long overdue for a update. Not because the photos were anything less than perfection (Kira did those, too, and she is an amazing photographer) — but because I’ve changed my look so much over the last few years! Just look at that hair! Something that I love about being in a creative field is the way that it soaks into every aspect of your life. …

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