Meet Simone Vaillancourt

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Simone Vaillancourt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Simone, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Overcoming my imposter syndrome has been a journey that has required lots of diligence and practice. As a designer, I think it can be hard to be confident in my abilities because creativity has no real measure. What speaks to one person may not speak to another, and that can lead to self doubt when it comes to creative decisions and strategy.

In my experience as a business owner, I’ve learned that my unique creativity is what sets me apart and draws clients to my services. By positioning my business in a way that reflects my creative style, I’ve been able to find a confidence I didn’t previously have. My services are not only tailored to my clients, they are also tailored to me, and that helps me feel assured in my abilities.

I’ve also worked to desensitize myself to failure. When setbacks and mistakes happen, I try not to dwell too long and instead take them as lessons that will lead me to my next win. Every experience, whether good or bad, is a learning opportunity. When I frame setbacks this way, it helps me bring things back into persecutive and remember that failure does not equal inadequacy.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a brand identity designer specializing in business and event branding. I’ve always had a passion for design, and I’ve jumped around between many creative pursuits throughout my career. When I was in college, I founded Studio Terrae – a brand design agency crafting elegant and intentional brands – and I’ve been running this business ever since!

I love my work because I have the opportunity to engage with founders who are extremely passionate about their businesses. That excitement is catching, and I enjoy being able to harness and channel it into a brand identity that reflects their values and ethos.

Most recently, I’ve started to break into the wedding and event branding space. I believe that with the right brand, an event can invoke as much emotion as a business brand identity. Branding is partially about capturing a feeling, and event branding offers that in a new and exciting way.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’ve learned a lot of lessons throughout my time as a business owner. My top three are:

1. Seek out failure. If you aim high, you might just find your next big opportunity. And if not, it’s a lesson that can be taken into your next project.

2. Find a mentor. I’ve learned so much from other creative entrepreneurs, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their guidance and advice.

3. Take online courses. I use them to support and refine my skillset. They’re super helpful when you’re looking to expand into a new niche or are just interested in picking up something new.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
I recently read “The Confidence Code” by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman. It provides some great insights into the confidence gap that women often face in the workforce and beyond, and how we can begin to overcome it.

Kay and Shipman conducted an exceptional amount of research and interviews, and I saw myself in a lot of their subjects. I found it particularly impactful as a business owner who struggles with imposter syndrome from time to time.

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