Life and Work with Mia Stone

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Stone.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always been a creative, and have always been passionate about creating and connecting. Business (especially entrepreneurship) was not something I ever pursued actively – to be honest, all of my entrepreneurial ventures developed out of hobbies. My first business was a photography business, which I started because I liked photography and people eventually started paying me to do it. I started my second business as a freelance designer because I liked design and got good enough that people hired me to do it. My calligraphy business was the same – I taught myself calligraphy because I had always wanted to learn, and after enough practice and projects for friends and family, I thought I could make a living out of it. My path has been very unconventional – none of the businesses I’ve owned were things I went to school for, and I definitely haven’t had a traditional career trajectory – but ultimately I wouldn’t change anything about how I’ve developed as an entrepreneur.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a business owner is hard, anyone who owns a business will tell you that. It may look glamorous on social media, but for all the perks, there are just as many challenges. To be honest, sometimes I even doubt whether or not I’m cut out for it. It’s hard not to know how much you’re making each month, or to work your way through figuring out taxes and paperwork – and a lot of people question you, too. I’ve had people tell me I’d be better off getting a regular 9-5 job with benefits, and sometimes that’s the hardest thing about being an entrepreneur – staying committed in the face of everyone telling you there’s an easier way. My advice would be to stop comparing – whenever I feel like quitting, it’s usually because I’ve spent some amount of time comparing myself to people who I think are better than me, or to people whose lives are different than mine. Your journey is yours, and yours alone. Only you can make it, so it makes no sense to compare. Believe in yourself, and don’t be so hard on yourself – I’ve found that things often end up working themselves out in the most unexpected ways.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
I specialize in custom hand lettering, signage, and stationery! As a brand, I am most proud of my commitment to quality and beauty. I’m not interested in taking projects just for the sake of my bottom line – I am committed to creating pieces that are truly beautiful and well-made, that capture the essence of my client. If I don’t think I’m the right fit for you as a client, I won’t take the project. Some people may see the kind of beauty, quality, and aesthetic I strive for as excessive, or even unnecessary – but I believe that beauty can change atmospheres, convey value, and even transform hearts. The creation of beautiful pieces is an important job and one that I am proud and honored to have.

Who have you been inspired by?
My mom – being a mom is a hard, important job, and my mom sacrificed a lot so that she could be present in my life and raise me. I have nothing but respect for mothers in any situation – stay-at-home, working, single, whatever. I have friends who fall into each category and they all inspire me in different ways. I think motherhood is truly one of the most undervalued, yet one of the most important, jobs in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.miastonedesigns.com
• Email: hello@miastonedesigns.com
• Instagram: @miastonedesigns
• Facebook: facebook.com/miastonedesigns

Image Credit:
Megan Blowey Photography, Kenz & Nick Photography, Shannon Von Eschen Photography

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