Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nina Welp. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nina, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
To be honest, I have not overcome imposter syndrome, but it is something I think about a lot and struggle with as a business owner. Due to my perfectionism I tend to downplay my accomplishments because I am always thinking of ways that I could further improve.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Hi there, I’m Nina, the founder and artist behind Sun Freckled Studio. I’m 23 years old, and what began as a hobby in 2020—hand-painting tote bags for friends—has turned into my full-time creative career.
It all started in my freshman year of college when I bought a 12-pack of blank tote bags so my roommates and I could have a fun craft night around finals week. Instead of studying, I ended up painting all 12 bags myself! That holiday season, I gifted the bags to friends and family, and the response was amazing. Everyone encouraged me to post the bags online, and the idea of a stranger carrying something I made felt so exciting. So, I started sharing on social media, set up a website, and orders began rolling in.
I quickly moved from hand-painting each bag to screen printing to keep up with demand. Along the way, I realized I could build a real brand by combining style and functionality in a way that was missing in other tote bags. I found a manufacturer to help bring my vision to life—a fully functional tote bag that still kept the classic, cute tote aesthetic. Now, Sun Freckled Studio totes include features like a full zipper closure, two slip pockets, a large zip pocket, and a key leash, blending convenience and style.
Today, I still create all the artwork myself, hand-drawing each design on my iPad and turning it into a pattern. My manufacturer then prints and sews the bags, but I personally pack and ship every order. I feel incredibly grateful to do this full-time, bringing my love for organization and aesthetics into bags I use every day.
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?
Reflecting on my journey with Sun Freckled Studio, three qualities have been essential: a willingness to learn, a deep attention to detail, and a strong connection with customers.
Growing this business has meant facing countless roadblocks where I had no prior knowledge. Each time, I’ve had to push past my fear of failure, dive in, and figure things out as I go. This willingness to learn has been critical.
Attention to detail has also been key—sometimes to a fault! I obsess over every little part of the business to make sure it meets the standards of my perfectionist mind. This helps me feel confident that I’m delivering a product I’m proud of.
Finally, connection with my customers is at the heart of why I do this. I started Sun Freckled Studio because I wanted to create the kind of bag I wished I had, and I make sure I stay in touch with that purpose. I chat in DMs with customers all the time, asking for their input on new designs and letting them be part of the process. It’s a fun way to bring them behind the scenes and ensures I’m creating something that resonates with real people.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
A recurring struggle I face while running my business is comparison. I enjoy following other business owners for inspiration and advice, but it’s hard not to measure my success against theirs. Watching other brands online, it sometimes feels like everyone else got the manual on how to build a brand—and I somehow missed it. There are times I wonder if I’m evolving this business in the right direction.
At the end of the day, though, I do feel I’m running Sun Freckled Studio the way it’s meant to be. Still, it can be hard not to get caught up in comparison.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sunfreckledstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunfreckledstudio/
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunfreckledstudio
