Meet Octavia Elizabeth

We recently connected with Octavia Elizabeth and have shared our conversation below.

Octavia, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

Developing my confidence and self esteem was not a single moment. It was a journey shaped by navigating a mainstream world as someone who is deaf or hard of hearing. Early on, I learned that the world often underestimates what it does not fully understand. I also learned something far more powerful. My ability was never defined by my hearing status.

I came to understand that I am just as intelligent, capable, and deserving as anyone else in the room. I learned that access looks different, but excellence does not. Watching my hearing peers succeed showed me that I could do the same exact things they were doing, sometimes in different ways, but with the same level of impact. That realization became the foundation of my confidence.

Equally important was the community I chose to surround myself with. I intentionally stayed close to people who spoke life into me. They reminded me of my worth whether I was standing tall or quietly pushing through a difficult day. Their words reinforced what I was learning to believe about myself. I mattered. My presence had value. My voice deserved to be heard.

Over time, my confidence shifted from internal belief to outward presence. I began walking into rooms knowing I belonged there. I learned that confidence is not about being the loudest voice in the room. It is about carrying assurance in who you are. I recognized that my energy, resilience, and authenticity could shift a room simply by showing up as myself.

Today, my confidence comes from knowing that my difference is not a limitation. It is a strength. It has taught me adaptability, empathy, and perseverance. It has shaped me into someone who does not wait for validation, but walks boldly in purpose. That is how I developed both my confidence and self esteem.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At the heart of everything I do is storytelling with intention. I am Octavia Elizabeth, a creative entrepreneur, educator, and advocate who believes that branding is more than visuals. It is about voice, impact, and purpose. Professionally, I operate OE Creative Visuals, a creative design and branding company established in 2024 that supports individuals, organizations, and mission driven brands in bringing their vision to life.

OE Creative Visuals specializes in branding, graphic design, promotional videos, event flyers, website creation and management. What makes this work especially meaningful to me is the opportunity to help people see themselves and their work in a new light. Many of my clients are educators, nonprofit leaders, coaches, faith based organizations, and small business owners who are deeply committed to serving others but need support translating their vision into a clear, professional, and impactful brand. I love being the bridge between their purpose and their presentation.

What excites me most about my work is watching confidence grow. When a client sees their logo for the first time, launches a website, or hands out a flyer they are proud of, something shifts. They begin to walk more boldly in what they were already called to do. That transformation is what fuels me. My design style is clean, intentional, and empowering, often using bold yet inviting color palettes that help brands stand out while remaining authentic to who they are.

Beyond OE Creative Visuals, my work is deeply connected to education, advocacy, and community impact. I have a background in social work and criminal justice, hold a CAST certificate, and currently serve in special education, where I support students, families, and educators through compliance driven but student centered practices. This lived experience shapes how I approach creativity. I understand access, equity, and the importance of representation, and I intentionally carry those values into every project I touch.

I am also involved in developing educational resources, parent manuals, workshops, and leadership focused content that connects mind, body, and spirit. Many of these projects are rooted in empowerment, whether that means supporting women, uplifting families, or ensuring students with diverse needs are seen, supported, and celebrated.

Currently, I am expanding my creative and professional reach through ongoing collaborations, rebranding projects, digital product development, and community focused initiatives. I am especially excited about continuing to build brands that tell powerful stories, launching new visual resources that integrate QR based content, and supporting leaders who are ready to elevate their impact.

At its core, my brand represents resilience, creativity, and purpose. OE Creative Visuals is not just about design. It is about helping people show up fully, confidently, and unapologetically in their calling. Everything I do is rooted in the belief that when people see themselves clearly, they move differently. That is the work I am proud to do.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, there are three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey: resilience, self awareness, and intentional community.

Resilience has been essential. Navigating spaces that were not always designed with me in mind required me to keep going even when things felt uncomfortable or uncertain. I learned to view challenges as opportunities to grow rather than signals to stop. My advice to anyone early in their journey is to stay committed even when progress feels slow. Resilience is built by showing up consistently, learning from setbacks, and trusting that each experience is preparing you for what is next.

Self awareness has also played a major role. Taking the time to understand my strengths, my learning style, and the environments where I thrive allowed me to advocate for myself with confidence. When you know who you are and what you bring to the table, it becomes easier to walk into rooms with clarity and purpose. For those just starting out, I encourage you to reflect often. Pay attention to what energizes you, what challenges you, and where you are growing. Self awareness creates alignment and alignment builds confidence.

Finally, intentional community has been one of the most powerful factors in my development. The people you surround yourself with can either reinforce doubt or cultivate belief. I chose to stay close to individuals who spoke life into me, held me accountable, and reminded me of my worth, especially on difficult days. My advice is to be selective and proactive in building your circle. Seek mentors, peers, and collaborators who align with your values and support your growth. Community does not just support the journey. It sustains it.

Together, these three qualities shaped not only who I am, but how I show up. When resilience, self awareness, and intentional community work together, they create a foundation that allows you to move forward with confidence, purpose, and impact.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The number one challenge I am currently navigating is consistency, especially while balancing multiple roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Like many driven people, I often start strong with clear goals, high energy, and strong momentum. However, life happens. Unexpected responsibilities, emotional weight, and moments of burnout can quietly interfere with that consistency if I am not intentional.

I have learned that inconsistency does not always come from a lack of discipline. More often, it comes from exhaustion. When I am overwhelmed or running on empty, my ability to show up fully begins to decline. Recognizing this has shifted how I approach growth. Instead of pushing through burnout, I am learning to prioritize self care as a necessary part of consistency, not a distraction from it.

To overcome this challenge, I now focus on creating sustainable rhythms rather than unrealistic expectations. That means giving myself permission to pause, reset, and refocus without guilt. I build in moments for rest, reflection, and mental recharge so that I can return with clarity and intention. I have also learned to measure consistency over time rather than day by day, understanding that progress is still progress even when the pace slows.

I remind myself that consistency does not require perfection. It requires commitment. Showing up imperfectly, but repeatedly, is still powerful. By honoring my well being and listening to my own needs, I am learning that consistency becomes easier to maintain because it is rooted in balance, not burnout.

Ultimately, I am redefining consistency as the ability to keep going with intention, grace, and self awareness, even when life demands adjustments. That mindset has allowed me to move forward with more compassion for myself and greater sustainability in everything I do.

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