Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Hopkins.
Megan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, I had a front-row seat to entrepreneurship through my dad. There were long days and late nights, but seeing him pursue the business he’d built inspired me. In the back of my mind, I always knew I’d run my own business one day. After working as a copywriter both in-house and agency-side for over a decade, I finally made the leap.
For nearly four years, I ran my own copywriting studio before joining forces with my best friend and creative counterpart, Sara Beukema. When we met 10 years ago at a corporate job, the connection was instant—her knack for bold, impactful design and my love for crafting compelling copy made teaming up kind of a no-brainer. And so, Merit & State was born.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Because we’d already collaborated on several projects before officially launching the business, Sara and I hit the ground running. From day one, we’ve had a steady flow of clients—mostly through referrals from existing or former clients and colleagues in our network. In fact, we joke that our biggest challenge is that there are only 24 hours in a day.
Being both entrepreneurs and moms definitely comes with its own unique balancing act, but we make it work. We’re both super family-focused, and when one of us needs to prioritize something with our kiddos for the afternoon, the other is always ready to step in. It’s one of the best parts of having a business partner you trust who shares the same values.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Merit & State, we believe your brand should be as unforgettable as the business behind it. We’re a creative studio specializing in brand design, messaging, and website creation for entrepreneurs and small businesses ready to elevate how they show up online.
What makes us different is that we bring strategy and storytelling together by pairing bold, purposeful design with personality-packed copy. Our process is deeply collaborative; we dig into your “why,” your dream clients, and your business goals so that every detail feels intentional and authentically you.
From brand positioning to full-service websites, we help clients move from “I hope this works” to “This finally feels like me.” We’re most proud of creating brands that not only look stunning but work hard—helping our clients attract the right people, grow with confidence, and fall in love with their business all over again.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve always believed that some level of risk is essential if you want to be successful as an entrepreneur. For most of my career, I played it safe, taking the stable route and working my way up the corporate ladder one step at a time. But eventually, I realized I wanted more control over my work and my future.
The idea that I could build a business that looked exactly the way I wanted it to—and work with the kinds of clients who truly inspire me—made the risk feel not just worth it, but necessary. Leaving behind the security of a full-time job was definitely a leap, but it’s one I’d take again in a heartbeat. Every meaningful opportunity I’ve had since started with saying yes to a little uncertainty.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://meritandstate.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meritandstate
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/merit-state
Image Credits
Sara Seeton
