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

Hi Katia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It was a very organic process. I was already freelancing before I graduated. Right out of college, I pursued full-time employment because that’s what was expected, but after an 8-month stint in an ad agency, I realized freedom was my number 1 value. Along with that, I learned I was expecting my son, and decided to go freelancing full-time. As my son got into school, I decided to formalize my business and invest more time into building it. I never looked back.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’m a Creative Consultant and Owner of Design Mind Studio, a boutique design and brand studio. My focus these days is on Brand Development and Strategies. I founded DM Studio in 2001, and I have provided Graphic Design, Marketing, and Creative Consulting services in the US, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. The business has been a joy and has mostly developed through word of mouth. I attempted to expand it a while back but found that I would have to compromise my life balance and the quality of work I was accustomed to providing. It was a short-lived pursuit!

What sets me apart is that I become a seamless partner to my clients, integrating as part of their team and always striving for their success, rather than simply providing creative work. I love to share, collaborate, and educate throughout the entire creative process. This approach allows for co-creation and more strategic and innovative solutions. I also strive to deliver exceptional quality, on time and within budget. I have never delivered a late project! Doing what you say you are going to do is an underrated customer service tactic that has worked wonders for me.

Sunluz Coaching is a new venture, one I plan on focusing on in the next 20 years. I found that my most joyful professional moments were while I was mentoring my students and clients, and with this self-realization, I made the decision to pivot into a professional coaching career to carry on my vocation and passion for teaching and learning.

It’s during the hardest moments in our lives that we most need our inner strength. My coaching comes from my own life experiences and deep growth in the process of change. The intersections of my professional life (brand development and teaching) and my personal life (hard life transitions and forced growth) have shaped me into who I am today.

My desire is to shine the light for my clients to navigate change and growth with confidence and grace, eventually achieving authenticity and developing their personal brand.

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?
I’d take them for a couple of hikes in the GA mountains, about 1.5 away. On the way back, we’d stop by downtown Woodstock, where we’d sit under the big oak at Reformation Brewery and relax for the afternoon, until an early dinner time at Salt Factory, right around the corner, for a wholesome dinner!

Only then, we’d go back home, take a well-deserved shower, and go for a 2-minute walk, where we’d sit by the lake dock and watch a beautiful sunset.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This is a hard one for me because I could probably take a few pages to answer this. I have been extremely blessed with the humans in my life, each playing a role, each allowing me or directing me to grow. My parents and sisters, son and ex-husband, have been the biggest actors in my story, supporting me through my professional choices, changes, and growth moments. My college teachers have opened my eyes to opportunities, and several mentors have awakened me to the wisdom I carry today. Some mentors came from books (too many to name here), and some from amazing experiences and organizations that provided deep mindset shifts: Tony Robbins, Modern Elder Academy, Camino de Santiago, Elaine Ourives, Coacharya, Michael Singer, and so many others. I’ve been very lucky with friends who became family, always present and holding me to a high standard. It’s hard to share a name or two, as my relationships have always been abundant.

Website: sunluzcoaching.com designmindstudio.com

Instagram: sunluzcoaching

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katialord/

Other: Google reviews: https://g.page/r/CSBTbqa3RK1WEAI/review

Image Credits
No Greater Love Photography

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