Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Akita.
Cynthia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
To be honest, my journey started long before I realized it would have such an impact. I’ve always been artistic—whether it was music, instruments, drawing, or arts and crafts—I constantly had my hands in something creative. As I grew, my love for art only deepened. I spent countless hours at the local art museum, learning new techniques and immersing myself in the experience.
By middle school, I had the incredible opportunity to join an arts and crafts center and taught underprivileged kids through an after-school program they championed. It was a game-changer. Not only did I get to share my passion with younger kids, but it also helped me refine my own skills and discover the joy of teaching creativity.
Fast forward to college, and I was fully immersed in my own clothing line as a self-taught fashion designer. That chapter taught me the ins and outs of building something from the ground up—creatively and strategically.
Eventually, all of these experiences—from hands-on art education to fashion design—led me to discover my true passion: branding. I launched my own branding firm, where I now get to blend creativity with strategy to help businesses clarify their brand, own their message, and grow.
Of course, there are plenty of moments in between, but I’ll spare you the novel, haha. Let’s just say the creative spark that started it all is still burning strong today.
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?
Any journey worth traveling is rarely a smooth road—and mine has been no exception. I’ve faced my fair share of struggles, from navigating the legalities of business to finding the right team members. It’s definitely been a challenging ride, but one that has stretched me and prepared me for new seasons in my business.
One of the biggest hurdles I faced was my early misunderstanding of branding. Like many entrepreneurs, I assumed that having a logo and a website would be enough to attract clients in droves. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. I quickly realized that I was missing something crucial—brand strategy.
At the time, I hadn’t truly studied branding. I grew up in the era of business plans being all the rage—even if most were filled with overly optimistic projections and components I barely understood, haha. It wasn’t until I immersed myself in learning brand strategy that everything clicked. I discovered that strategy is a far more practical and realistic approach, especially for someone who wasn’t looking for investors.
That realization became my saving grace. It not only transformed my own business but also became the foundation for what I now teach my clients today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’d love to introduce you to “The Design Firmacy”.
At The Design Firmacy, we know that building a brand is no easy feat—it comes with its share of headaches, setbacks, and growing pains. That’s why we exist: to be the trusted pharmacy for businesses, providing solutions that ease your branding symptoms and strengthen your foundation.
We offer a unique library of easy-to-use design remedies and educational regimens, all packaged with a creative “over-the-counter” twist. Whether you’re struggling with brand clarity, consistency, or impact, we’ve got the cure. From workshops and courses to Canva templates, design kits, and branding curricula, we provide practical, accessible, and effective tools to help you build a brand that thrives.
Our Approach:
• We diagnose your branding ailments with tools like our Brand Vitals Assessment, a comprehensive assessment that reveals the health of your brand.
• We prescribe the right solutions, offering bite-sized video insights and actionable resources that answer common branding questions. (Feel free to check out our signature series, like Brand OTC, on our YouTube channel.)
• We empower you through immersive learning experiences, where you gain the knowledge and tools needed to create impactful, purpose-driven brands.
Why We Care:
We’ve been in your shoes—pouring our hearts into products and services that didn’t gain traction. We know the pain of rebranding, pivoting, and starting over. That’s why we’re committed to helping you succeed by offering remedies that are creative, practical, and backed by strategy.
Step into The Design Firmacy—where business pain points meet powerful solutions. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, we’re here to help you build a brand with lasting influence.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Yes! Audible has helped me to become an avid book listener over the last few months.
My favorite and most impactful book will always be the Bible. It’s filled with so much drama, nuggets of wisdom, and simply put–the way to life!
In addition, I’ve enjoyed reading and re-reading Running Down a Dream by Tim Grahl, Building A Brand Story by Donald Miller, and UnCloned Marketing by Audria Richmond.
I’ve enjoyed watching YouTube videos from Myron Golden, Shep Publishing House, and Audria Richmond, and I enjoy listening to The Driven Introvert Podcast.
I’d have to say that one of my greatest resources is my community. From my close business friend’s circle to networking in Skool and Clubhouse (yes, people still use Clubhouse), virtual networking has been an amazing tool for me to build my community and learn from others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedesignfirmacy.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedesignfirmacy & https://instagram.com/cynthiaakita
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designfirmacy
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedesignfirmacy & https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-akita
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thedesignfirmacy
