Meet Jean Pyo | Founder, Creative Director, Brand Designer

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

Hi Jean, every day, we talk about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Let me set the stage for ya.

POV: You just graduated high school & you’re waiting on acceptance letters to colleges. Rhianna is still making music so you blast her new song “what’s my name”, painting custom canvases for friends on your childhood room floor to pass time. Making maybe $50-$200 a piece. Eventually people start coming to you for help with their businesses because you “draw and stuff.” You witness a simple logo redesign bring in more sales for your friend’s and family’s small businesses…it blows…your….mind. You now understand the power in purposeful visuals for brands.

You decide to attend SCAD ATL to learn “photoshop” because someone told you that’s what graphic design is and that you must learn it to make money in this creative world. But they’re wrong. Photoshop is only a tool. & They’re right. Going from painting to moving pixels on the screen made a huge difference in the moolah you made. You fall in love specifically with brand identity design because you have big dreams to help all the small businesses you care for, make more $ by visually telling their story so their audience can resonate.

You practice what you learn in school & apply it “IRL” by taking on more freelance jobs as if you know what you’re doing. You don’t really know what the hell you’re doing but it brings you immense joy learning and sharpening your design & business skills with each project. You finally graduate & decide to move to your dream city, New yerrrrrk city. Young and determined to take over the world, you take on lots of random freelance / studio jobs. You get burnt out. A few years later, a global pandemic hits and you get to quit your job and decide it is the perfect time to take a break and get ready to launch your dream branding studio. Fast forward to the present moment & you realize 2 years have passed since launching & you made it happen by getting crystal clear on your “why” in life and never giving up on making your dreams a reality!!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am most proud of the genuine relationships we’ve cultivated with most, if not all, of our clients. I don’t even like to call them clients, it’s more like partnerships. We learn so much from each and every founder we collaborate with.

We are selective with who we decide to work with because our values must align. Besides wanting to pay your bills, what is the purpose of your business’ existence? What is your “why?” How are you helping push the culture forward?

We want to know what about your business keeps you up at night? What are your biggest dreams? How can we help you get there? You better know that if we work together, your wins are our wins. It truly lights a fire in us to be a small part of their business journeys.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh prepare to eat around the world in one state. We’ll start out with a casual brunch in the Lower East side, Davelle, a cozy Japanese cafe. Shop around SoHo, have a slice at prince street pizza as a snack. Walk through Little Italy & grab a cup of gelato since we’ll have dinner in Chinatown. 100% going to Wu’s Wonton where it’s BYOB, if it’s a bigger group. Nom Wah if it’s just me and a friend. Not feeling Chinese? Shukette for the most delicious Middle Eastern meal or Domakase for an intimate & modern omakase experience. Craving steak? We can cross the bridge and have the legendary Peter Luger’s where your steak is served still sizzling on the plate.

The options are endless. For drinks, Eavesdrop in Greenpoint, a space designed for sound with great cocktails or Sake Bar Decibel in the Lower East Side, where you feel like you are transported to Japan. We can go up to 33rd st, Koreatown for round 2 and stop by all the different pochas, aka korean bars that serve comfort food and sojus all night. We can finish off the night by getting Halal chicken and rice at a cart nearby. By the end of the trip you’ve probably had 10+ different cuisines. & That’s the beauty of New York.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to my unconventional immigrant parents for supporting me in pursuing whatever makes me happy! + My rock, my supportive husband who ALWAYS tells it how it is. Not many people in life will do that for you.

Website: www.feelsstudio.com

Instagram: feelsstudio

Other: @jeanpyo personal IG

Image Credits
portrait photo by @minnowpark Boquet image by @feelsstudio @andreakimm All other mockup of FEELS STUDIO work by @feelsstudio