We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lucy Hiller a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lucy, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
At 13 years old you could find me engaged in business plans with my mother at the kitchen table. When I started my business LVH Creates in 2017 I started off by selling commissioned art to my neighbors and relatives. Handmade cards and prints. Once I got into high school I was faced with the question, “What kind of legacy do you want to leave?” Half way through my freshman year of high school COVID-19 shut down any possibility of “leaving a legacy.” When school finally was back in person I noticed a common problem: organizations and events had difficulty marketing themselves to a community that had been quarantined for the past year. I knew my skills in design and lettering could give me a purpose. In 2022 I started Minnetonka’s Design & Lettering club where our club of 50 members created posters and other marketing materials for nonprofits, clubs, and other local organizations with our skills in creativity and design. I finally felt like I was a positive resource for my community. Through my design business I started creating logos, graphics, marketing materials, and apparel for my community. Beginning of 2023 I started working for the 501c nonprofit Letters of Love (LOL) as head of marketing materials. For their annual GALA I developed unique and compelling personally-designed posters, graphics, and other marketing content that aligned with their brand’s mission. When I create for clients I love creating an identity for their brand and bringing their visions to reality, my true passion. Now, as I venture into my freshman year of college studying marketing and graphic design I have dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. I aspire to leave a legacy that is one of passion, service, and creativity.
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?
As an 18 year old graphic designer that is just now getting started on my college degree, I have become a resource for clients that need their vision to be taken to reality. I am currently seeking marketing and design opportunities where I can use my design experience, marketing and social media savvy, and where I can support an effort that is challenging and that inspires me. I currently have started creating logos for clients which has been amazing.Creating brand guidelines for a client is something that brings me so much joy. Again, it is where my true passion lies.
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?
1. Don’t sell yourself short, you know what your work is worth. As a young entrepreneur I found it easier to undercharge for my work, too scared that clients wouldn’t see my work worth as much as I saw it was worth, or that they would try to negotiate. Your work is worth what you truly think it is, stop selling yourself short!
2. Do what you love. Find what you love and create something from it that makes this world a better place.
3. Keep setting goals. If you remain comfortable you will never evolve, and you will never challenge yourself. Your goals should scare you!
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
When my parents dropped me off for college they jokingly asked me the question: “How’d we do raising you?” Yes, this question is comedic, but it also left me reflecting a lot on my childhood. I grew up to be a very disciplined, creative, and self motivated person. I owe a lot of this to my parents. As a kid there were “rules” although these rules were never written out, or verbally communicated. My parents demonstrated what good character looked like, and my three younger brothers and I have continued living by their example.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/lvhcreates/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lvhcreates/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-hiller
Image Credits
LVH Creates
