Meet Blythe Holliday | Paper Goods Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Blythe Holliday and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Blythe, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Before I started my business, I was in a few different sales roles and loved the “sales high” of generating new business and closing deals. I worked with an amazing company and enjoyed all the perks of going to my office with free food, fun friends, and a whole lot of coffee. When the pandemic hit, I found myself alone in my one-bedroom apartment, discouraged and honestly……very bored. For the first time in my career, I felt “stuck”. Sales became a lot less fun for me when I was cold calling by myself.

I have always had a passion for graphic design but never believed I could make a career out of it. After finishing my 9-5, I would spend hours learning Adobe products on youtube or by taking classes online. I started calling graphic designers and asking if they would teach me over zoom and slowly, I began to learn. After a few months of creating paper products on the side, I decided to make an Instagram account and overnight people were messaging me. My sales job was slacking and in three months I was doubling my sales salary. My husband and I decided to take a leap of faith and go full-time with my design business and I have never looked back!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being creative brings me so much joy. I love seeing the look on people’s faces when I complete a project and they absolutely love it! Creativity runs in my family. My mother is an interior designer and can draw pretty much anything. I have grown up watching her mix colors and patterns while making a room come to life. I learned so many of my creative skills from her.

I came across this quote a few years ago and it sits on my desk today. “There are people less qualified than you, doing things you want to do because they believe in themselves and take action. period”.

From being in sales, I learned the importance of just TRYING something new. I think too many of us are afraid of trying something out of the fear of failing. I am a big believer in failing over and over again until you learn. My passion for design was there, I just needed help channeling it. I started picking up the phone and asking people what they thought about my dream of creating this business. I messaged people on LinkedIn and asked if they would grab a coffee or be willing to teach me something new and 99 times out of 100, people were willing to help. Slowly, I began to put the pieces together and turned my business into what it is today!

I want the world to know that I truly never feel like I am working because I absolutely love what I do and the people I work with. I want every client to walk away loving the work I have done and feeling like it has brightened their day.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Chastain – the perfect hangout spot/coffee shop. They have the most amazing fire pit and they are dog friendly. I love going there in the morning and then walking the park with my coffee.

St. Philips Farmers Market – On Saturday mornings, St. Philips has one of the biggest farmers markets in Atlanta. I grab fresh flowers from there often.

Scotts Antique Market – In the second week of every month, there is a massive antique market with two huge buildings to explore. Half of the furniture in my house is from there!

Blue Ridge Grill – they have the best service in Atlanta and it is a five-star dining experience while still keeping it cozy.

Atlanta History Center- they keep archives of paper goods in Atlanta dating back hundreds of years. I always love going there and looking through old invitations.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout would have to go to skillshare. You can learn pretty much anything design-related on their website! They have hours of content.

Website: www.blythehollidaydesigns.com

Instagram: @blythehollidaydesigns

Image Credits
@socialgraceevents @photographydujor @dyessphoto @brittanyjaydephotography