Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Marshall.
Hi Grace, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my freelance business, Grace Elizabeth Designs, while I was in college at Middle Tennessee State University. At the time, I wanted to get my feet wet, gain some real-world experience, and have more than class projects in my portfolio before stepping into the corporate world. I ended up loving freelancing so much that I never stopped! Even as I’ve grown in my corporate design career, I’ve continued taking on freelance work because I love the creativity, variety, and relationships that come with it.
Over time, I’ve realized that my favorite part of design is the people behind it. There’s something really special about someone trusting you with an idea they’re excited about, especially when they’re not quite sure how to bring it to life. Whether I’m helping a small business find its personality or creating something for an organization doing good in the community, I love bringing it all to life through my designs. Getting to be creative and use something I love to support people doing meaningful things is pretty hard to beat. Plus, if I can help a good cause get noticed and save someone from a questionable font choice along the way, I’d call that a pretty good day!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the most part, it’s been pretty smooth, but it’s definitely taken patience. In the beginning, getting clients was the biggest challenge. When you’re a young designer trying to get started, you need someone to give you a chance before you have much work to show for yourself. I’m still so thankful for clients who took that chance on me and helped me get my start.
My dream is to freelance full-time, and I haven’t grown the business to that point yet. That can be hard when you’re excited about what you do and ready for it to become something bigger, but I’m learning to appreciate the progress along the way. I’m incredibly thankful for the clients I have and the relationships we’ve continued to build. Having people come back to me with their next project or recommend me to someone else means so much.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a freelance graphic designer, and I create everything from branding and marketing materials to social media graphics and invitations. My favorite work is building brands from the ground up. I love taking something that starts as an idea or a dream and giving it a whole personality, look, and feel. There’s something so exciting about helping someone finally see the thing they’ve been imagining come to life.
I’m especially proud of my work with Bright Apple, a nonprofit that provides healthy snacks for students every school day so they can learn, read, and write without the distraction of hungry bellies! When I started working with them, they had a logo, but there was so much room to build around it. I’ve gotten to be creative and help shape how the organization tells its story and connects with people. Seeing Bright Apple continue to gain new sponsors and receive ongoing support makes that work even more meaningful. It’s exciting to know that something I’ve designed can help bring attention to a mission that makes a difference for kids.
What sets me apart is how deeply I care. I put my heart into every project, whether I’m building an entire brand or designing a simple invitation. If it matters to my client, it matters to me. I want them to feel heard, supported, and excited about what we create together. I tend to get very invested, so there’s a good chance I’ll be almost as excited about their finished design as they are!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There are so many people who have helped me get here, but a few deserve a special shoutout!
Frank Pullara, the owner of Culaccino and Culamar restaurants, was the first person to take a chance on me professionally. I worked for him as a server during college, and when he found out I was a designer, he asked me to create the entire brand for his new restaurant, Culamar. That was such a big opportunity for a young designer, and his trust gave me so much confidence. He’s still a loyal client today, and I’m incredibly thankful for everything he’s trusted me with over the years.
Pamela Benson Owens gave me one of my first website design projects and has since become such a loyal partner and dear friend. What started with a website has grown into social media work, book designs, and just walking through life together. She encourages me, gives me room to be creative, and has shared so much professional advice that has helped me grow as both an artist and a business owner. Having someone who believes in you and gets excited about your ideas makes such a difference, and Pam has been that person for me.
Most of all, my family deserves so much credit. They’ve cheered me on from the beginning, spread the word about my business, and kept me grounded through it all. They’ve also patiently answered plenty of “Which one do you like better?” texts and given me feedback when I’ve needed it! Their encouragement and honest advice mean the world to me. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grace-elizabeth.com/
