Meet Megan Castro | Illustrator, Designer + Owner of Stellarly Studio

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

Hi Megan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Stellarly Studio isn’t my first try at starting a business, and Stellarly Studio looks different today than it did even last year! Where I am now is due to the culmination of many failed attempts at finding myself, my style, a voice, and getting a lot of things wrong many, many times. So, when starting Stellarly Studio, I had a lot of life lessons that helped inform me of where I wanted to start and where I wanted to go. When I decided to start the business, I was finishing illustrating my second tarot deck, dreaming big, and I decided to move beyond inspiration, beyond all the daydreaming, and just go for it. The first thing I did was consult a graphic designer to help with brand strategy and what I wanted my business to encompass (at the time, I was primarily a service-based business, with only a few limited products to offer). As Stellarly Studio began to get out into the world, I expanded on what I offered, and the business naturally became a clothing and apparel lifestyle brand. This was an important moment for me because I felt that my past business attempts weren’t true to me and the ever-evolving aspects of my interests, and I felt like I was forcing myself to do only one thing. Once I realized I didn’t want to limit the business to the types of products I offer, I decided to embrace the “studio” aspect of the business name! Especially with the computer application, software engineering, and technical skills my business partner, Andres, brings to the table!
So, when starting the business, the “studio” in Stellarly Studio was very important for me to highlight. Because a Studio – “a room where an artist works” is for any kind of artist, and I want to stay open, innovative, and inviting to the different types of art and products we are capable of releasing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I like to learn new things. My all-time favorite quote is by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Every artist was first an amateur.” I have carried this quote with me throughout all of my higher ed schooling and especially so now. There are so many things out there to learn, and I try not to shy away when I have no idea what I’m doing but to ask for help every chance I can. I didn’t even study digital art during my BFA at Georgia State University. But now, my process involves working digitally at some stage during my making process, so I am always online researching and learning so I can create products I am proud of. I have to remind myself about all of the useful tools on the internet that are readily available. Being able to ask for help and support and being okay at learning and failing (a lot) has been my biggest challenge. I have to remind myself that everyone started from scratch and that it is okay not to know things. Most of the time, I am my own worst enemy, which is why I appreciate the love and support from my friends and family so much! They help keep me grounded and give me much-needed insight and perspective when approaching an obstacle. Stellarly Studio is all about moving beyond inspiration and taking bold action on the things you want in life. I love having fun and enjoying new things and want people to feel good and confident while making a wholesome statement with a cheeky little wink.

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?
Bogg’s Social is probably one of my favorite bars to go and chill. They have different food pop-ups, so you’ll always get something different, and they also host Ria’s Baby Bird for brunch on Sundays!

Hodgepodge Coffee is another hangout I frequent and love to take people to! They have an art market at their 720 Moreland (featuring some Stellarly products) and meaningful community engagement with the free99 fridge collaboration; before the pandemic, they also hosted local art shows, and they have great company ethics that make me want to support them even more, plus they have killer coffee. I would recommend their Oh, Honey! Latte with whole milk, or a chai latte with oat milk.

I would also take them to one of the Wussy Magazine movie events at the plaza theatre. They usually have a fun drag show and a costume contest beforehand, and the events are always the best time!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people I could shoutout! Stellarly Studio is the culmination of a lot of love and support from many people very dear to me. Still, I would love to dedicate this shoutout to two people specifically. First is my husband and business partner, Andres Castro. He didn’t start as a partner in Stellarly Studio, but his dedication and support of what we are creating is immeasurable; I could not quantify my love and appreciation for him if I tried. He jumped in and helped with the website when we shifted from a service-based business to online e-commerce, created a desktop application to go along with the Interstellar Tarot, and is involved in every event we participate in. If I didn’t have a business partner like him, I’m not sure Stellarly Studio would be where it is today. The second person I would like to dedicate this shoutout to is my sister (in-law), Jazmin Guerrero. She also runs her own business, Becalia Botanicals. She has greatly supported me by listening, helping me talk through things, sharing her knowledge, and being an incredible example of an entrepreneur going out and making her dreams come true. I am in awe of everything she does!

Website: https://www.stellarlystudio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellarlystudio/

Other: TikTok: @stellarlystudio | https://www.tiktok.com/@stellarlystudio?lang=en Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/stellarlystudio

Image Credits
Headshot / First Couple Image Credit to Gabi LePage at Well Kept Studio