Stephanie Hunt: Business Owner, Creative Director & Graphic Designer

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

Hi Stephanie, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Work life balance has always been something I struggled with. In the early days of freelancing, I worked a full-time job, had a family AND would work my “side” business to help it grow. When I tell you that I worked all hours, I mean it! Eventually, I grew tired of work constantly being my focus and decided it was time to step out on my own. When we first opened The Savvy Peach, I continued to work feverishly to make sure every client had every project in record time. The pace was unrealistic to keep, and I quickly learned that slowing down allowed me the creative space I needed to succeed both in business and in life. Over the years, my family takes priority some days and work takes priority others. To say that it is a normal, daily balance would be a lie. Some days are chaos and others are peace. It’s the excitement of each that keeps me going! Now, I’m a mom of two boys who love all things sports. Our personal calendar is filled with baseball and taekwondo, scouts and family. I make sure to protect those times while also blocking off time to dedicate to my business and my clients. Work life balance is a continuous learning process. The flexibility to adjust and roll with deadlines and sports schedules is something I’ve learned you must have.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In 2011, I began working as a freelance graphic designer by night, while continuing to work my Marketing Director job each day. I knew I wanted to do something bigger and better for myself and my family and by 2014, I knew exactly what that was. We opened The Savvy Peach in March 2014 and have never looked back. The Savvy Peach name comes from my own Georgia roots. Being a skilled and “savvy” business woman, I knew I needed to keep things close to home – what matters most – but showcase our skills. I envisioned a collaborative group that would provide unmatched client service and impactful pieces. Throughout our tenure, The Savvy Peach has grown to a team of contractors who are passionate about their talents – from design to SEO, copywriting to strategy. These folks are a dream group that help our clients achieve their marketing goals. Our team has won Best of Gwinnett in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Starting, running and growing a business is far from easy, but as long as you continue to put your client’s needs first, provide exceptional customer service, never take yourself too seriously, and be sure to protect your family time, you’ll make it. My biggest pride point is that we are always growing – each year our client base gets larger and our contractor team expands! I’m excited to serve and provide jobs all while doing what I love.

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?
We live further outside of the city and LOVE it. Being away from the hustle and bustle is so nice. When we plan fun, it’s always kid focused (I’ve got an 8 year old and a 2 year old), so the Georgia Aquarium, catching a Braves game, and the College Football Hall of Fame are all family favorites. We love to eat at Fat Matt’s, Baraonda and Ippolito’s of Alpharetta!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be where I’m at today without the support of my husband, Brandon. When I came to him and told him that I wanted to leave my full-time job to start my own business, he never hesitated in his encouragement. He believed in me from the very beginning – maybe before I believed in myself. Every step of the way he has cheered me on, celebrated my wins and been my listening ear when I needed to vent. I dedicate this Shoutout to him.

Website: https://www.thesavvypeach.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/svypch/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swhunt/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savvypeach/