Today we’d like to introduce you to 1903 Design Studio.
Hi 1903 Design Studio, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Our story actually begins long before 1903 existed, back when the two of us were on completely different paths. Junior was an animal scientist running a microbiology lab, while Michela was transitioning from freelance creative work into a senior design role. We met through mutual friends, bonded through humor, and quickly discovered that we shared the same curiosity for digital design, especially UI/UX.
That curiosity turned into commitment. We both pursued certifications, studied the craft independently, and one day asked each other a wild question: ‘What if we built something of our own?’
Our first experiment was a small blog called DFW Adventures, but we quickly realized our partnership had the potential to become something much deeper. Michela brought years of experience working with major brands like Verizon Healthcare, Bose Professional, Younger Partners (just to name a small amount), while Junior’s scientific background gave him a unique edge in strategy, problem-solving, and systems thinking. Together, we saw the opportunity to blend creativity and structure into something meaningful, a studio with heart, purpose, and clarity.
That’s how 1903 Design Studio was born.
Not as a typical freelance collective, not as a churn-and-burn agency, but rather as a brand that chases movements, not money. We wanted to take the skills we learned from billion-dollar companies and pour them into the small businesses, family shops, and entrepreneurs who rarely get access to high-level design and strategy.
Even the name 1903 carries meaning. It honors Junior’s roots in Oak Cliff, where in 1903 the community attempted to maintain independence before being annexed by the city of Dallas. That moment in history symbolized resistance, identity, and the courage to stand apart. We took that symbolism and applied it to our own journey: stepping away from the traditional 9-to-5 world to build something independent, intentional, and community-driven.
Today, 1903 Design Studio has grown far beyond the early concept that originally started between the two of us. What began as local passion work in DFW has expanded across Texas and into several other states, as more small businesses, entrepreneurs, and service-based companies seek intentional branding, functional websites, and strategic digital marketing. We’ve been able to bring high-level design, the kind usually reserved for major corporations to the everyday business owner who deserves to look just as polished and powerful.
Where Oak Cliff didn’t succeed in 1903, we aim to succeed now, by carving out our own lane, supporting the people who make DFW vibrant, and building a creative studio that empowers others while quietly building our own story of success.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth is for fairy tales, not entrepreneurship. We think most business owners would agree that building something from the ground up is less about perfection and more about constant learning. Statistically, businesses that don’t stay profitable within their first two years face a steep uphill battle, and we felt that pressure early on. But instead of seeing those moments as ‘growing pains,’ we’ve learned to see them as opportunities that sharpen our wisdom.
Neither of us had ever run a business before, so every step of this journey has been brand new. We’ve had to teach ourselves everything from pricing, contracts, workflows, communication, systems, to client management, and the discipline of consistency. From studying endless Chris Do masterclasses to showing up at every networking event we could find, the process has been equal parts exhausting and transformative.
There were seasons where our effort went unnoticed and our momentum felt slow and those moments can test your confidence. We learned that success isn’t validated by external acknowledgment. It’s built quietly in the late nights, the early mornings, and the days when no one sees the work except you.
A quote that has carried us through is:
‘Some people dream of great accomplishments, while others stay awake and do them.’
It perfectly captures the spirit of entrepreneurship and the willingness to push forward even when the world is asleep.
Despite the challenges, this journey has been the most fulfilling thing we’ve ever done. Every obstacle has strengthened our vision, clarified our purpose, and reinforced why we chose to build 1903 Design Studio in the first place: to create something extraordinary not just for ourselves, but for the people and communities we serve.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At 1903 Design Studio, we’ve built a creative house that does more than one thing because modern businesses need more than one solution. Together, we specialize in brand development, logo design, UI/UX, website creation through content strategy, and digital marketing. Instead of limiting ourselves to a single niche, we’ve intentionally structured our studio to excel across multiple disciplines so our clients receive cohesive, start-to-finish brand experiences.
What we’re most known for is our strategic approach. We combine design, research, and technology to help small businesses grow with intention. Our backgrounds, one in corporate-level design, the other in science and analysis which allows us to bring big-brand thinking to the front porches of entrepreneurs and mom-and-pop shops that deserve the same level of excellence.
The work we’re most proud of isn’t just the designs we create, it’s the impact we’ve been able to make through community-driven projects. One of our biggest goals when starting 1903 was to give back. Through our studio, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with local charities and hosting fundraising events that directly support families, children, and underserved communities. Seeing our creativity turn into tangible support for others has been one of the most meaningful parts of our journey.
For Michela, giving back carries deep personal significance. Her family moved from New York to Texas in search of opportunity, and the community embraced them. Being able to serve that same community through her work at such a young age is something that fills her with pride.
For Junior, community involvement has been part of his identity since childhood, from attending local marches in Oak Cliff to supporting homeless outreach programs. Rooted in a neighborhood built on resilience and culture, he’s always believed that creativity is meant to uplift others.
What truly sets us apart is that our business isn’t built on transactions; it’s built on purpose. We don’t wait for chances to give back, we actively seek them. Our different backgrounds, experiences, and cultures have shaped us individually, but together they’ve allowed us to build a studio that is deeply rooted in community, service, and the belief that design can create real, lasting impact.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What we love most about Dallas is its culture, you can feel it everywhere. It’s in the art, the murals tucked under bridges, the graffiti tags that tell stories, the food that reflects every corner of the world, and the neighborhoods that carry generations of history. Dallas is a place where you can experience the energy of a major metropolitan city and, within a short drive, find yourself in quieter areas that still hold onto Texas’ cattle-driving cowboy traditions.
For us, Oak Cliff is a perfect example of why Dallas is special. It’s a neighborhood defined by resilience, creativity, diversity, and pride. You see families who have been here for decades, small businesses that become community pillars, and people who consistently show up for one another. That sense of authenticity of real people with real stories is what sets Dallas apart from any other city in Texas.
As for the challenges, like many growing cities, Dallas experiences a sense of separation. Certain neighborhoods feel disconnected from the growth happening elsewhere, and some communities can feel overlooked. Yet within that divide, we’ve also witnessed an incredible amount of unity, from people coming together, supporting local businesses, fighting for representation, and working toward a future where Dallas feels more connected and inclusive for everyone.
If anything, the very thing we love most of Dallas is its culture and diversity, this is also what gives us hope for the areas that still need progress. ‘Progress’ shouldn’t mean further separation; it should mean uplifting, uniting, and representing the people who make this city vibrant. Dallas is evolving, and its people are the reason it keeps moving in the right direction.
Pricing:
- A conversation is free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.1903designstudio.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562949432091
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1903-design-studio/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@1903DesignStudio
- Other: https://share.google/yBsIzsF7xZlU0rnUR
