We had the good fortune of connecting with Summer Leverette and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Summer, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The formula is quite simple, at least in my eyes. Thee most important factor behind the success of Mediumms is my ability to run a business I can advertise by being myself. 7+ years ago I submitted to my vision and followed my dreams, that is the career path I chose and continue to choose. This was not necessarily the path of least resistance, but it is the path of my soul, and it lights me up more than I can express verbally (I’ll save it for the canvas).
Design in a multitude of formats (mediumms) is very much a part of me and my everyday life; in my home, in my speech, and in my walk…I’ve been gifted to see color, texture, shapes, and other elements of design differently, and as a means to communicate, thoughtfully and efficiently.
When I am working with our client’s I factor in grace periods for each project to allow for exploration and study which ultimately yield the highest quality, and a rich experience for our clients. It is a process that works for me and allows me a lot of freedom to just be and live with my ideas. There are pieces of me in every project I execute with my clients, and I am grateful they trust me with their babies; to be able to create for the longevity and success of their business/brand is such a high honor.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I specialize in experiences through design, for brands, for exhibitions, for big collaborations, and for a good time. I got to where I am by listening to the little voice inside of me at an early age. I guess essentially I rebelled against societal norms of a traditional career and walked to the beat of my own drum. I knew at an early age I wanted to be an artist, I wasn’t always sure what kind and I still don’t like to submit to just one form of expressing myself through art, hence the name Mediumms (plural). That alone makes me so proud, I love that I didn’t have to recourse my entire life because I went against my intuition. I didn’t waiver on my calling, but that doesn’t mean I am not met with obstacles and my share of challenges, that’s an inevitable guarantee of life, understanding and accepting that is what gets me through my battles each time. I want everyone to know this, the feeling of desire to be something that exists in all of us, none of us are written without that gift, listen to that voice, no matter how extreme it may seem to quit your day job and become a florist or a chef, if you believe in it just a little bit, make a plan, and do that shit!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My best and I love to eat, drink and be merry, we’re a really simple pair who loves to laugh! `
Well if the time is right you can’t come to Durham without going to a Bulls game. $1 hotdogs + overpriced beer and a baseball game, where can you go wrong, nowhere, it’s all the way right. It would be hard to have a strict agenda so here is a list of a few of my favorite spots in town.
Pizza- Pizza Toro
Italian-Mother’s and Sons
Sweet Treat-Pelican’s Sno Balls
Breakfast-Elmo’s Diner
Japanese-MKokko
BBQ-Catering by George (the best ribs)
Bar-Level7 (frose’ w/ a view)
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to God + all of my clients, even the difficult ones. Every project has been an opportunity to learn and stretch myself, they are all challenges some heavier than others, but ALL so rewarding in their own way.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout God and all of my clients, even the difficult ones. Every project has been an opportunity to learn and stretch myself, they are all challenges some heavier than others, but ALL so rewarding in their own way. Some of my top clients include:
Jade Aiken
The Jade Beauty
@jade_ the_waxer
Kimberly Angel W.
Nine19 Photography
@nine19_photog
Meloese Brookins
Airmel
@airmel_me
The Slim Creative
@theslimcreative
Jade Aiken
The Jade Beauty
@thejadebeauty
jade@thejadebeauty.com
Website: https://www.mediumms.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mediumms/
Image Credits
Black and white image of myself was shot by Kimberly Angel W. founder of Nine19 Photography, @nine19_photog