Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla West.
Hi Kayla, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up, I have always been into art. Drawing, painting, you name it, I probably enjoyed doing it. This love for art didn’t truly hit home for me until my senior year at Lake Highlands High School, where I had an amazing teacher, Jason Young, who poured into me and gave me a space to explore art in a digital form. From there, serving others through this gift became a natural thing. I knew it was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
I have always loved the quote, “Do something you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life,” and as time flew by while I was designing, I knew I was having fun. Over the years, I also did plenty of side design projects for friends, such as flyers, logos, and social media graphics, which helped me grow my confidence and realize how much joy I found in helping people bring their ideas to life.
Eventually, I went to Texas A&M University. WHOOP! I am Class of 2026, graduating with a BA in Visualization and a Minor in Graphic Design. Throughout my coursework, I completed an internship in Addison, Texas, where I learned so much on a professional level what it is like working directly with clients.
Gaining this knowledge and seeing how I could expand from selling paintings to offering digital design services made everything click. That is when the seed of Works With West was planted. It actually started in the most ordinary place: my sister’s gymnastics practice, where I sat designing my first brand concept to get things going.
My dad, Christopher West, owner of Air West Solutions HVAC and Plumbing, needed a stronger social media presence and a new website, so naturally those became my first real projects. Along the way, I picked up another client, a travel agent, and began supporting her social media as well.
While I am still in school, I have taken full advantage of the resources Texas A&M provides. In one of my classes, I began working on a full rebrand for Works With West to build the solid foundation a strong brand deserves. That is when the Works With West you see today was born. I updated my logo, refined my color palette, and defined my brand values. Now I feel grounded in the type of work I want to do moving forward.
Works With West was founded on the belief that design can serve others well. Rooted in diligence and purpose, I partner with passionate people to create thoughtful deliverables that bring ideas to life. Everything I create is thoughtfully designed and distinctly West. My heart is for students or young entrepreneurs starting their first business, small churches and ministries needing design or social media support, local creatives and small businesses wanting polished, consistent branding, and ongoing clients who need monthly management.
Today, I am juggling school, a job, and Works With West, and I would not have it any other way. I am grateful for how far it has come, and I am excited to see where Works With West goes next.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say the beginning definitely wasn’t a smooth road. Working out all the kinks was pretty bumpy. There were lots of late nights, tons of trial and error, and a lot of pressure I put on myself to make sure everything was perfect. Over time, as I continued working with the same clients month after month, I started to find my groove and understand the workflow that fits me best.
One of the biggest struggles has been figuring out my own style, something that feels unique, recognizable, and true to who I am as a designer. That is still a journey I am on, and honestly, I think it is something every creative continues to refine. I have only been doing this for about six months, so I am giving myself room to grow while staying committed to improving every day.
Another challenge is that the hardest part about being a designer is getting stuck creatively or losing motivation. Your job literally depends on having ideas and being inspired, so it is important for me to keep balance in my life to avoid burnout and stay motivated.
And strangely, time flying by has also been an unusual challenge. I can sit down to design and suddenly hours have passed without me even noticing. It is something I love, but it also means I am constantly working to manage my time well so I do not lose track of everything else going on in my life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I want people to know that I’m open to all types of design and love tackling any project you throw my way. Truly, if you can dream it, I can design it.
In terms of what I do and what I specialize in, I would say social media management is one of my biggest strengths. I can plan a full content calendar, create content, gather photos and videos, and analyze what’s working so we know exactly what direction to take next. I love helping clients feel confident and organized with their online presence.
What sets me apart from others is that I genuinely care about what my clients need. I serve first and design second. My goal is always to create a product that is carefully crafted to its fullest potential and meets the heart behind what my client is trying to express.
Brand-wise, I am so proud of how quickly Works With West has grown. I’ve picked up amazing projects such as designing hats and a logo for 724 Development, building a full website for Air West Solutions, and handling monthly social media for Wander With Maddy. Even the smaller things like designing LinkedIn profiles or doing small design favors for the people I love mean a lot to me because they have helped shape the brand into what it is today.
What I want readers to know is that I’m open to solving whatever you need solved, whether that is logos, branding, websites, social media, or recurring services. Ask me about my life-size Poppi can I made for a school parade too. I can tackle pretty much anything you need, so don’t hesitate to reach out and tell me what you’re looking for.
I know that when you’re not a designer, talking about ideas or vision can feel intimidating. I want to be a safe place where you can openly share what you want so we can work together to create something really great.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to really market myself and get my name out there in Dallas. I want to grow more connections with individuals in the city and build real relationships with the people who make up the community. I am looking forward to taking on more website projects, expanding my skills, and growing my clientele as Works With West continues to develop. My hope is that as I continue to establish myself, I can become a trusted creative resource in Dallas and eventually give back to the community in meaningful ways.
Pricing:
- Social Media Management $15/$20 a post with monthly meetings.
- Website Design $1,200
- Brand Development $100-500 Customizable Packages to meet your needs!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://workswithwest.com/ AND https://kayla4972.wixsite.com/mysite (Eventually will be workswithwest.com) I am currently working on switching over.
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workswithwest/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579743789429
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-west-b6a717333/
Image Credits
A friends, Mary Elizabeth Roberts owner of Silver Paintings Co.
