Meet Trailblazer Kim Mesman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Mesman.

Kim, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was one of those people that knew I wanted to pursue a degree in Graphic Design before starting college. I have always been artistic and was always drawing on everything at a young age. One notable memory is me drawing Garfield all the time. Yes, I am an eighties child! I got my BFA in Graphic Design and a minor in Business Management from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA in November of 2001. While in college, I was an intern at CenturyTel now known as CenturyLink in Monroe, La. I gained real-life experience working on design projects such as flyers, posters, signage, and billboards promoting the CenturyTel brand.

Upon graduation, I married my high school sweetheart and moved out to southern California to join my husband who was in the Marine Corps at the time. When I got out to California it was a tough road as a young designer with not a lot of experience. I took a sales job for a short period of time to just make some money and knew right away it was not going to work. I knew I needed to get back into design asap. I worked a few design roles for a mom and pop shop, the real estate industry, and eventually got a role being the lead designer for Cutco Cutlery doing design work for the Western Region. All of these roles started to give me a good foundation and gave me insight into what sort of company I liked to work for and the type of design work I wanted to do.

My husband eventually got out of the Marine Corp in August of 2005 and we had plans to move back home to Louisiana but Hurricane Katrina. Our jobs in Louisiana were canceled and the family home we were going to move into was destroyed by Katrina. We had family displaced in Colorado from Katrina and I also lived in Colorado for a couple of years in grade school. California was a fun place but the cost of living was expensive and we wanted to do something different. We decided to move to Colorado and give it a shot while Louisiana was recovering from Katrina. I quickly applied to design jobs while still in California and lined up some interviews. I ended up taking a lead design role for a biotech company in Littleton, CO and worked there from September of 2005 to April of 2017. I never thought I would have worked for a company as long as I did but this particular job shaped me more than any other role. I was part of a company that started out only having around seven employees and it eventually grew into an Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies. At this role, I learned valuable skills about running a business, digital and web design, working with various cultures, and eventually learning that I wanted to go out on my own. This role gave me the confidence to pursue my goal of going out on my own. I did a lot of freelance work while working full-time at various companies throughout my career and I was finally ready to start being on my own full-time. However, the interesting part was that I left the biotech company in April of 2017 because I was offered another lead design role at a private insurance brokerage firm making the most money I have ever made and lost sight of my personal goals. I quickly learned that taking that role for the wrong reasons (money) didn’t make me happy. I still dreamed of being on my own having the ability to work on various projects that were meaningful to me. Needless to say, I didn’t last long at that role and finally in February of 2018 I resigned and went out on my own. I have not looked back since then!

Has it been a smooth road?
Running your own business is not easy and you learn so much every day. Not one person can say they knew it all and did it successfully right out of the gate. You are going to make mistakes but it makes you a stronger person. If I have any advice, it’s learning to maintain a healthy work/life balance so you don’t experience burnout. It’s hard saying no to projects sometimes because you have this mentality that you need to say yes because you need to make the money. However, when you say yes to the projects that are a good fit for you, the outcome is more impactful. You have to stay true to your goals and take projects that you are passionate about. You learn over time what projects are the best fit for you and your clients.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a graphic designer who specializes in logos and branding, print design (flyers, brochures, magazines, etc.), and digital design. I aim to help businesses stand out by creating thoughtful design solutions that confidently take businesses to new heights. I love working with small companies just starting out to get them set up for success with a solid brand foundation so they can attract their ideal audience. I strive to walk my clients through a seamless design process so it’s easy and stress-free. I guarantee that our time together will be genuine, thought-provoking, and FUN. My approach to design is collaboration and creating one-of-a-kind visuals that make the right impression every time.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
I know it may sound cliche’ but my Mom has been a big inspiration for me. She worked full-time jobs and eventually went out on her own to pursue her passion of helping heal people using alternative methods. She created the life she desired and I wanted to do the same. I knew that if she could be successful doing what she loved, why couldn’t I.

Pricing:

• Logo Design Packages Starting At $1200
• Design Assistant Packages For Your Ongoing Design Projects Starting At $300/month

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mesmandesignco.com/
• Email: kim@mesmandesignco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mesmandesignco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mesmandesignco

Image Credit:
Headshot images by Donna Sweetin Photography

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