Today we’d like to introduce you to Cami Hales.
Hi Cami, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Creativity and art have always been very strong aspects of my life. I had a Grandma that taught me to look at the shapes of clouds, and the colors of the mountains. We would sit on her balcony, and describe everything we saw and felt. That has been a guiding aspect of my life, and have always been drawn to things that let me create. I learned to play piano, and percussion instruments, draw and paint, make jewelry, and even woodworking.
I ended up teaching piano out of my home for almost 9 years. There were MANY ups and downs, from kids refusing to practice to being so stinking proud of how far they have come. I had a prize system in place, where my students could pick something from our “Studio Store” when they have earned enough practice points. After a while, I realized that there weren’t a whole lot of musically related items that students would WANT to get in the market. So I went to work and started designing some fun water bottle stickers. Then I made a Rhythm teaching pack of stickers and even made a note-reading game that my kids BEGGED me to play every week. Eventually, I started burning out with teaching, and with the help from my husband, I leaped to quit teaching piano, and make drawing and design a part of my daily work life.
Since then, I have opened a fun sticker shop that has been such a good outlet for me! I love all things movie-related, and sarcasm. I also began to do small business Graphic Design and have loved it. The name Hales Yeah Design is just the perfect description of who I am. With the actual logo being a little bit more on the serious side, and the name being completely silly, it was the perfect combination. Serious design, for the not-so-serious at heart.
I am so grateful that I get to incorporate what I LOVE to do into my daily life. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for much of my life, but I find that when I am creating, I am at my happiest. It is quite literally my daily dose of therapy.
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?
The road has not been easy by any means. I began doing this without any idea of how to run a business. I have spent many hours floundering around trying to find answers or a direction that I needed to go. I have taken many different types of business classes at the Women’s Business Center in Utah, and the Launched Academy.
One of the biggest hurdles I have had to overcome though is my imposter syndrome. I have to keep telling myself that I am enough and that I have earned my place in the Design arena. New struggles come daily, but I overcome them one step at a time, and one day at a time,
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have two different sides to my business.
I sell water bottle stickers and decals on Etsy and wholesale on Faire. These stickers can range from 80’s-90’s movie quotes to Dad jokes to some of my paintings in sticker form. I also specialize in custom stickers for businesses. Most people associate my shop with being pretty sarcastic and funny. (Which makes my heart so happy!) Each design is hand drawn, so it makes it extra special for anyone buying them.
The other half of my business deals with small business graphic design. Currently, I offer logo services, and custom graphics, and can even zhuzh up your presentations or portfolios. Soon, I will also be offering a branding package that can help people discover their brand identity, and know how to keep with it.
I have always had an eye for design, and I am so grateful that I get to incorporate it into my daily life! What sets me apart is that I am very good at figuring out what my client wants. It is hard to go to someone and describe what you are envisioning in your head for a design. It rarely comes out how you were expecting if your designer doesn’t know how to ask important clarifying questions. I am most proud of a game board I made for D8 Crates that helps you come closer to your significant other.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Oh my goodness so many people! First off I would have to say my number one cheerleader would be my husband and family! They always get so excited for me and my wins, even if my win is teeny tiny, they treat it like it is the best thing in the world. I also need to mention my Grandma again. I spent hours upon hours at her house, painting flowers and trees with her. She taught me to appreciate the beauty around me and to capture what I’m feeling in a drawing or painting.
Another person I need to give huge props to is Jessica VanDenBerghe. When I first started doing stickers, I was printing and cutting them myself with my silhouette machine. This is a great option when you are doing journaling stickers, but not very high quality if you are trying to do water bottle stickers. Once I found her at Prism Print Shop, she changed my world! In my opinion, she prints the most high-quality sticker out there! I also love that she is LOCAL. It is very important to me and my business to use local goods as much as I possibly can!
The Women’s Business Center Utah is also a HUGE advocate for women who are either in business or want to start a business. Classes are free, and their goal is literally to just help you be as successful as possible! Sarah Barstow has especially given me such great advice from there.
Last but not least, Kara Laws from Launched Academy has made a huge impact on my life. She has a very specialized business training program that takes you through step by step what you should be doing in your business. She helped me to decide to put Graphic Design on my list of services and has helped me to find my “Why” in my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: halesyeahdesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halesyeahdesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/halesyeahdesign/
- Other: https://faire.com/direct/halesyeahdesign
Image Credits
Ashworth Wealth, D8Crates, Sappco Heating, and Airconditioning
