Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailey Campbell.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story begins as a child at the age of 13. I had always been artistically-inclined and often received gifts that leaned into my interests. One I received, from my grandmother, was a set of colorful cardstock and the cutest animal, typography-based, and occasion-specific sticker packs that I could use to design my own greeting cards. On the back of these cards, I wrote, “Hailey’s Art Lover Productions.” One day, I decided that I wanted to share my card creations with others and went door-to-door selling them to my neighbors. Some purchased cards, some did not, but when I returned home and showed my parents the money I made, my dad matched that amount. In the words of my mom, this was my “first entrepreneurial attempt” and the start of my entrepreneurial journey.
Fast forward to high school—my mom recommended that I major in Graphic Design due to my interest in technology and art. This became my major in college, and in 2019, while still a student, I founded Willowfin—a graphic and web design studio. I named my company after my favorite tree, a willow tree, and my love for being in the water, where fish and their fins call home.
In 2021, I graduated with my B.S. in Design Studies, a minor in Spanish, and multiple entrepreneurship courses under my belt. Later that year, I landed a job as an Art Director at an agency where I worked on well-known accounts such as Samsung, Diageo, and Frito-Lay. I refined my design skills while simultaneously working on my business after hours. Three and a half years later, I was a part of a mass layoff… which officially marked the start of running Willowfin full-time!
My long-term goal has always been to grow and evolve the business, so I saw this season as the perfect opportunity to fast-track that vision—and that it was. I had time to rest, recharge, and reflect, and now, I have the flexibility and bandwidth to say yes to more opportunities, fail fast, and pay attention to how I feel as I learn what does and does not work for me as a business owner. It’s a continuous cycle, but one that makes me excited to wake up and get started with my day—even as the true night-owl that I am.
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 wouldn’t say that the road has been difficult, but I will say that there have always been “struggles”—things I haven’t figured out yet, codes I haven’t yet cracked. I have to stretch my brain and tap into my network to bring clarity to these struggles (such as pricing, finding clients, or scaling). I’m fairly optimistic, yet realistic, and am willing to try new things to hopefully achieve the intended results. If I fall short, I take it as a learning lesson and pivot. I work to find a solution or learn from someone who has figured it out and move forward.
One thing that has kept Willowfin’s road fairly smooth (aka not falling into a feast or famine cycle) is landing contract jobs to keep a steady, predictable income, having strong, healthy financial habits, and finding (and using) the resources available to me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Willowfin?
<b>Willowfin is a creative studio </b>that supports the design needs of small to medium-sized businesses at every stage and season. We often work with those who need stronger design support, are short on time, or don’t have an in-house creative team by providing <b>insight-driven consulting, high-impact creative design, and ongoing cultivation services.</b> From logo and website design to strategic audits, hosting, and long-term support, we are your partner in creating your vision.
Typically, clients work with those they know, like, and trust. One thing that sets Willowfin apart is building client relationships based on genuine conversation, integrity, and curiosity. Additionally, we currently sit in the space between a solo freelancer and a large agency. Though I may not personally execute all the creative work within the business, I do have oversight and creative direction around what is being produced, which brings comfort to me as a business owner and to clients with whom I have a personal connection.
I am most proud of our ability to reach and positively impact SMBs that just haven’t come across someone whose expertise lies within design. We’re able to design a brand and user experience that aligns with the core of the company and transforms the way it’s perceived by ideal clients.
I want readers to know that finding someone to produce deliverables is easy—but this puts you, the client, in charge of identifying your own weak points and determining what solution is best to alleviate those issues. Finding a person or company that assesses where you are, asks the right questions, is resourceful, gives honest feedback, and has values that align with yours makes for an exceptional experience that sets the foundation for a long-lasting, more fulfilling client-creative relationship.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I valued honesty, authenticity, and creativity. I was a good listener, didn’t like getting in trouble, introverted with spurts of energy every now and again. I was goofy, made lots of silly faces, and loved to laugh. I was by the book, technical, and valued tradition. These are values and traits I still hold today, but have grown to be more vocal than I was at a younger age.
Interest-wise, I enjoyed arts and crafts, reading books, such as “The Mysterious Benedict Society” and “The Hunger Games”, completing circuit boards with my dad, building with TinkerToys and Quadrilla sets, drawing, playing guitar, piano, and singing. I enjoyed playing outside in nature, visiting my grandparents and cousins in Alabama, and traveling around the world!
Pricing:
- Logo/branding packages currently start at $5000
- Web design and development packages currently start at $5000
- Other services are custom-quoted
- Every inquiry begins with a discovery call to gather information needed to provide an accurate quote
Contact Info:
- Website: https://willowfin.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haileydcampbell/
