Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelly Thomas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kelly, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Growing up, I was incredibly shy and didn’t have much confidence. I never liked being the center of attention and often stayed in the background. My love for music helped me begin to overcome this. As a pianist and singer, I eventually became comfortable playing and singing in front of others, thanks to the support of choir directors who believed in me. Along with that, I was blessed with amazing parents and family who always supported me, no matter how crazy my dreams seemed.
Over time, I grew more confident, especially when talking about things I’m passionate about—like my business. Today, I’m very comfortable discussing my work with people, leading classes and seminars both online and in person, because my business is something I love deeply. I’ve even started teaching graphic and web design classes to high schoolers, and helping shape the next generation has given me even more confidence.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that when you walk into a room and believe in yourself, others will too. Confidence is something you develop by embracing your passions and allowing yourself to grow from every experience, no matter how big or small.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Designed by Kelly officially launched in May 2019, but my journey with design began much earlier. In 2006, I started a Home Staging and Redesign business, which eventually led me into graphic design. I spent eight years as the Director of Communications for a large church in Houston, honing my skills and deepening my passion. Then, in November 2017, my life changed drastically when I unexpectedly lost my husband. As a widowed mother of four, I made the decision to leave my job a few months later to be with my children during such a pivotal time.
After some time, with the encouragement of my father and a close friend, I decided to take a leap of faith and turn my passion into a business of my own. That’s how Designed by Kelly was born—allowing me to pursue my love for design while having the flexibility to care for my family. Now, five years later, we’ve grown into a thriving Mother-Daughter Design Duo, and together with my oldest daughter Cara we’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of small businesses and nonprofits share their unique stories through branding, web design, and more.
Our approach is built on two core principles. First, we believe that professional design should be affordable to everyone, regardless of their budget. Second, we make it a priority to really get to know our clients on a personal level. I ask a lot of questions, meet with clients face-to-face or via Zoom, and dive deep into understanding their business. I’ll even visit their locations or attend a worship service if it’s a church client because I believe you can’t market someone effectively without truly understanding who they are and what they stand for. In addition to Designed by Kelly,
As far as new products we’re excited to announce the launch of our sister business, Buzzworthy Tools, this month! If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the constant need for fresh content, we’re here to help you say goodbye to social media stress. Buzzworthy Tools offers exclusive, 100% customizable Canva templates and easy-to-use content materials designed to save you time, money, and the hassle of starting from scratch.
If you’re tired of staring at blank screens, wondering what to post, Buzzworthy Tools is your solution. With our Hive Membership, priced at just $20 a month, you’ll have access to all the tools you need to grow your online presence from day one. We’re confident that Buzzworthy Tools will transform your brand, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll create with it!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: resilience, relationship-building, and adaptability.
First, resilience has been crucial. Life threw me some unexpected challenges, but I learned to persevere and keep moving forward, no matter how tough things got. For anyone starting out, my advice is to embrace setbacks as learning opportunities. Every challenge you face can make you stronger if you don’t give up.
Second, relationship-building has been at the core of my success. My business thrives on the connections I’ve made and the trust I’ve built with clients. To develop this skill, take time to genuinely get to know people. Listen to their needs, ask questions, and always be willing to go the extra mile. Strong relationships will not only grow your business but will also create a support network that helps you through tough times.
Lastly, adaptability has been key. The design industry is constantly evolving, and so are client needs. To stay relevant, I’ve had to keep learning and adjusting to new trends and technologies. For those starting out, my advice is to be open to change and never stop learning. Stay curious, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone to try new things.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely! I’m always open to partnering or collaborating with like-minded individuals, businesses, and organizations. At Designed by Kelly, we love working with small businesses, nonprofits, and churches that are passionate about telling their unique stories through branding, web design, and content creation. Whether you’re looking for a design partner, need help growing your online presence, or want to collaborate on a project that aligns with our mission, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re also excited to collaborate with content creators, marketing professionals, and anyone interested in using our customizable Canva templates through Buzzworthy Tools. If you’re passionate about creating impactful, stress-free content, there’s definitely an opportunity for us to work together.
If you’re interested in collaborating, you can connect with us through our website at www.designedbykelly.org or reach out via email at kelly@designedbykelly.org. We can’t wait to see what we can create together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.designedbykelly.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designed_by_kelly
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designedbykelly
- Other: https://www.buzzworthytools.com
Image Credits
Caitlyn Monahan Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
