Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Sebastian.
Hi Allison, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hey there! I’m Allison Sebastian, founder of South Square Creative, a boutique branding agency proudly based in Nashville, TN. After more than a decade working in agency and in-house roles, while freelancing on the side during evenings and weekends, I decided to take the leap and pursue my own business at the end of 2023.
I’ve always been drawn to the intersection where creativity and problem-solving collide. Growing up in Mississippi, you’d find me drawing, sewing costumes, or laying out magazines (on my chunky desktop computer – yes, pop star posters were on the walls). I’d be listening to Top 40s while setting the type and organizing the pages just so in Microsoft Paint from my preteen bedroom. Things have gotten a serious upgrade since then, but that mix of visual thinking and being creatively analytical eventually led me to a double-major in Graphic Design and Marketing at Mississippi State University.
Today, I partner with businesses to craft visual identities, websites, and brand systems that help them show up confidently and prepare founders for their next stage of growth. Everything I create with clients is intentional and rooted in serving their business and its goals. The work I get to do every day is creatively fulfilling and challenging – I love it!
South Square Creative was born not only out of a desire to produce exceptional creative work and help people thrive, but also from a vision to create real impact. I often tell people that it’s not about simply “making things pretty” and calling it a day. I’m invested in the work we do and the people behind the businesses – and I firmly believe in the ripple effect that reaches far beyond the brand itself. SSC may be a small business, but we don’t play small around here.
Giving back, even in small but intentional ways, is something I’m committed to as the business continues to grow, but at its core, this work just lights me up. Building something of my own, alongside thoughtful business owners who care deeply about serving people well, is what makes this work meaningful (and a lot of fun) for me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Obstacles and challenges are inevitable. That’s life! And they’re also invaluable opportunities to grow. Especially in the early stages of building a business, you find yourself wearing a lot of hats. While that can be challenging, it also allowed me to develop new skills and gain a deeper understanding of what it really takes to run a business well.
Like many founders, I’m also balancing life outside of work: raising a family, supporting aging parents, maintaining my health, nurturing friendships, and staying present for the people I love. Challenge is simply the price of admission. Sure, it’s not always easy, but it has built my confidence and expanded my connections in ways I never would have experienced in a traditional 9-to-5.
One thought I go back to during tougher moments is that you can’t let perfect be the enemy of good. As much as we may want things to line up exactly how we’d pictured, there is beauty in letting the imperfections simply be while you figure it out and focus on the next right move.
I’ve laughed with my husband that being a business owner is basically consistently stepping out of your comfort zone. It’s just part of it! (I dare you to find any successful person say otherwise.) These moments have given me opportunities to push through discomfort and train new muscles, so to speak. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about South Square Creative?
South Square Creative is a boutique branding studio based in Nashville, specializing in brand identity, design, and websites for service-based businesses. What many people don’t know is that it all started as a small side gig out of my 540-square-foot apartment just off Music Row. Just a twenty-something gal with a MacBook Pro in a little apartment building called South Square. That cozy corner of Nashville ultimately inspired the name.
What began as working in my spare time freelancing from my couch for neighbors and friends, years later grew into a full-time business centered on premium branding and strategic design. Now, I work closely with business owners who are deeply invested in what they do and the people they serve, helping them show up confidently with a brand that finally feels like them and matches the business they’ve built.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in the process and in me to lead them through what can be a very personal stage of developing or refining their business. Many people come to me when they’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to communicate their value or solve a creative problem that impacts their brand. Witnessing their transformations and seeing when their branding finally feels like them is so rewarding. I also take pride in running a business that values collaboration, human connection, and making sure people feel heard (and seen). SSC doesn’t operate like a high-volume, big-box agency; every project is focused, considered, and built to support a long-term vision for our clients, not just a moment in time.
Giving back is something I value and has been woven into SSC from day one. South Square Creative donates a portion of profits to causes that matter and offers a hero’s discount for U.S. military families. Watching this business grow from a tiny apartment into what it is today has been incredibly fulfilling, and I’m excited to continue working with incredible clients while growing something with lasting impact.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Nashville is such a vibrant place! I feel like the city and I have grown together so much since I moved here fresh out of college in 2011. I remember telling people back then, “I love Nashville because it’s the perfect middle ground between a big city and a town.” I think it’s safe to say Nashville’s made it big, but it hasn’t lost the heart of that town-like vibe.
I’ve lived in several pockets of Nashville since then, and it’s really a unique place. You can get to a tucked-away local coffee shop or a giant stadium or arena show in about 25 minutes. There are opportunities to be in the thick of downtown life where everything is bustling, just as easily as settling into a quiet corner of a neighborhood restaurant.
Being born in Mississippi, I was surrounded by southern hospitality, and Nashville has always felt like home in that way. People here are kind, generous, creative, and love a good meal and conversation – my people!
The only thing I’d change is some of the traffic and parking during peak hours, but I saw a self-driving car on the interstate the other day, so that may be a moot point in a few years. 😉
Contact Info:
- Website: www.southsquarecreative.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/southsquarecreative
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/allisonpsebastian
