Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Stockdale.
Hi Carrie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been a words girl.
Growing up, at dinnertime, my dad would teach us a new word from the big, red Webster dictionary we kept near the phone book. (Am I dating myself or what!? 🤣) He’d choose a word, and once we were able to spell it, we could use it in everyday language. I thrilled over the idea of learning new words and was likely the only fourth grader to tell her teacher, “Actually, I was just being facetious,” when asked if I was joking around with my friends during reading time.
I devoured books and scripts and took my passion for words to the University of Texas at Dallas, where I graduated cum laude with a double degree in Literature Studies and Arts and Humanities. I spent my college years in the library and on stage, where I fell in love with storytelling. Immediately following graduation, I had the privilege of launching a theatre program at my high school alma mater, Liberty Christian School, where I taught theatre arts, public speaking, and debate. I was a secondary teacher for five years and loved every minute of it.
I left teaching when I was due with our firstborn and had the joy and privilege of staying home to raise my two greatest gifts, Caroline and Brody. My extraordinary husband, Kraig, shined in his role as our provider, my best friend, and the chief family fun-haver.
While at home, I started a stationery company and learned graphic design. I taught bible study for nearly 18 years (a legacy I inherited from my precious mom), hosted youth group, wrote curriculum, edited a book for a friend, and worked at a local marketing agency for interior designers. It was only natural I’d accidentally fall headlong into branding and social media when one of my closest friends, Heather Lee (@endurancehomes), wanted new branding and a social media presence.
Do you remember that Heather Locklear shampoo commercial from the 80s, “And she told two friends, and they told two friends and so on and so on?” That’s how it began for me.
Hello Story was born with two clients, Endurance Homes, and Kristi Hopper Designs, who graciously told two friends and so on. I took a bunch of classes, practiced my craft, formed my LLC, and officially launched my own business in the spring of 2020.
In three short years, we’ve served a hundred or so clients with unforgettable branding, web design, and social media services. We’ve invested in our community and raised funds to #clearthelist for teachers, have given away free branding and assets for a children’s theatre, and designed a pro bono website for girls’ lacrosse. We’ve cultivated a great collaborative work culture with other successful female founders, and best of all, we’ve maintained authentic relationships with Hello Story clients whom we now consider friends.
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?
Growing my business has felt like a dream come true, but the largest hurdle I’ve faced is learning how to scale. We grew too quickly. It began to feel like we were more agency than boutique studio. An agency just isn’t the right fit for me. Launching a new brand or website is exciting! Growing your social media is thrilling! I want to be in touch and in step with clients throughout (and long after) their launches.
I recently worked with my social media manager, Ivy Arthur, to start a subsidiary company for our turnkey and signature social media clients, and the transition has been very smooth. I’m hopeful to work side-by-side with brilliant women (like Ivy!) without an account management structure in place.
Collaboration has been the biggest gift to me—and to Hello Story’s profitability. I’ve worked alongside Ivy, Regan Ferrari, Sabrina Segat, and Rachel Logan, to name a few—all of whom continue to teach me and inspire me in their work! I look forward to expanding our sisterhood of collaborators as we all grow our businesses.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Hello Story?
Hello Story is a Dallas-based creative studio offering unforgettable branding, web design, and social media services to interior designers, homebuilders, creative founders, and small businesses.
Here’s a sneak peek at our services, but you can find all the specific goods on our website:
1. Brand Story
For us, branding is about humanity, passion, and connection. We tell brand stories that reach hearts—unforgettable stories that hold conviction. We’re sold out to authenticity and create brands that are 100% you—the kind of brands that connect you with the people you want to work with… forever. So, we take time to get to know you; we listen, uncover aspirations and obstacles, and develop a strong brand strategy to inform your story. And then, we bring your brand to life with stunning visuals designed to build a loyal following.
2. Web Design
We create beautiful, user-friendly websites that clearly tell your brand story. You’ll captivate your dream clients and nudge them toward conversion with visually engaging, intentional, and intuitive strategies in place. Our websites feature brand photography, professional copywriting, and a wealth of SEO to ensure you’ll reach your people in your voice—and keep them coming back for more.
3. Social Media
We offer social media as stunning as it is strategic. We’ll make your brand stand out in a sea of noise and reach your dream audience with a message that converts. We specialize in Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest marketing and offer multiple plans to reach your social media marketing objectives.
At Hello Story, we ensure every digital touchpoint reflects your branding—in tone, professional copywriting, social media captioning, on your website—even in your award submissions (I’m talking to you, interior designers!). You aren’t being passed around from person to person with us. It’s an incredibly special and highly personalized way to work together, and we’re obsessed with it.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve learned that true success, for me, isn’t defined by numbers—but by people. As a Christian, my heartbeat is to love God and love others. For me, that’s an intimate thing. I’d rather work with fewer people using my creative gifts than amassing a team of account managers who may not be wholly invested in our clientele. I’ve also learned I need margin in my life to create order, balance, and time spent with those I love most.
Contact Info:
- Website: hello-story.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellostoryco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellostoryco
Image Credits
Mady Jade
