2018 is here and alive! With new innovations and personal branding taking social media and the business world by storm, millennial entrepreneurs are understanding the importance of creating a cohesive image to share across varies platforms. Not only is branding becoming a hot topic to focus on when starting anything new, it is also shaping the eyes of graphic designers who are putting their talents to the test by creating dynamic elements for clients.
Today’s “Money Moves Monday” creative Kellie Livingston or kb.graphicsanddesign is known for her vibrant spirit, chic style, and adaptability when taking on new tasks. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Kellie during my time at Millersville University and since then, she has gone on to create connections that will push her to the top. Not only is Livingston on a path to digital success, but she continues to go hard while obtaining her degree at the same damn time!
Here’s what KB. Graphics and Design had to say when asked about her present, past, and future endeavors.
- Where are you from and what do you currently do for a living?
KB: My name is Kellie and I’m a Philadelphia native. I’m currently a full-time student at Millersville University, studying Applied Engineering and Tech Management. I work part-time at Friendship Community, where I do direct care for adults with Developmental disabilities. I’m also working part-time as a personal assistant for Nia E. Creative Marketing and Brand Design.
KB: I am on the fence about being a student right now. It gets overwhelming and I’m a “super senior” going into my fifth year in college. A lot of people have been telling me not to rush finishing college but a part of me wants to get done with school! But the closer I get to the finish line, the more it’s bittersweet.
But I am happy with both of my jobs. At Friendship Community, everyone is like family and every day is completely different from the next, which I love, though it can be very challenging at times. With my Assistant job, I love my boss, Nia. She is very inspiring. She is a young black business owner and she is able to help you reinvent your brand step-by-step! I love that Nia and I get along so well.
But both of my jobs are not something I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to be an entrepreneur. I want to own an Architectural firm and my own graphic design company.
- So what’s stopping you from having your dream job?
KB: My Architectural firm and a graphic design are things I have a huge passion for. I am working on getting my degree now for my Architectural firm. I want to get my degree, as well as experience in the field and then open my firm. I know it will take a lot of hard work. I am currently learning a lot about owning a graphic design business from my boss Nia since she taps into a lot of web and graphic designing because it takes a lot more than I expected. I sell some graphics on the side but I want to work on my craft more and learn more before I work on opening a business. So, my dream jobs are in the works.
- Do you have any children? If yes, how do you balance work and play? If not, how would having children affect your future plans? Do they fit into your idea of success?
KB: I do not have children and right now it would not be ideal because of everything I am involved in. I want to be able to grind now so in 7 to 10 years I will be financially stable to start a family. But children definitely fit into my ideal success because I would be able to create my own work schedule if I become a business owner and be able to be directly involved with my children.
- What is one of the first things you do when you wake up in the morning? What is the last?
KB: The first thing I do in the morning is to check my phone and call my mom (because I know she’s up early). The last thing I usually do is create and design, that’s my creative peak I guess I would say.
- Who would you say depends on you?
KB: I love this question but it’s a tough one. I would say my family depends on me to finish college and to be successful. I would also say my friends, to just to be a great friend to them and be there for them whenever.
- Whom do you depend on?
KB: First and foremost, I depend on God. He is someone I can turn to even when at times I don’t deserve it. When I am at my worst. I also depend on my mom. She is who I look up to and is my rock and motivates me to keep going because my goals are to be able to provide for her. But I mostly depend on myself. I always try to take care of myself and I think that’s where my faults are at times because I know people want to help me and I don’t allow them to. I forget it is okay to depend on people but I do not like the disappointment. So that is a constant battle for me.
- What recent creative venture have you taken on? Tell us the concept behind this idea, business, etc?
KB: The creative venture is currently the graphic portraits I do. It was just something I wanted to try to see what I am capable of designing on Adobe Photoshop which is the software I use. I like to challenge myself a lot with designing new things since it is something I am trying to teach myself.
The idea behind my portraits is I want each person I post to leave a message without words. For people to see different images and it means something to them, see different personalities of each person I design and people are able to create stories about them or even connect with the designs. Some of the people I design I have my own stories. It is so fun and special.
- How would your service or product benefit your customers or people around you?
KB: People benefit in all types of ways. People ask for a self-portrait for promotional purposes, some people use them to get it on a t-shirt. I had a friend put theirs in a Christmas stocking. People get it for loved ones they lost. I just want these graphics to touch every person I design for and they are completely satisfied. Because this is something I love to do so I want my passion to resonate with each and every graphic I design.
- What kinds of problems do you face on a day to day basis? How do you normally handle the problems that come your way?
KB: I have a horrible time with time management, I overwhelm myself with a lot of tasks and get to a point that I forget to do a lot of things and wait until the last minute to do things. I handle them by trying to write a To Do List, and do each task one at a time but have a hard time keeping up with it. I am trying to work on organization and keeping a planner and utilizing my phone more with keeping up with tasks and getting the tasks done.
- What practices or routines do you do on a daily basis to keep you up in spirits?
KB: Prayer is one thing I do to keep up my spirits. It is something that keeps me mellow and brings me peace. Also surrounding myself with positive energy and positive people is something that helps me. When people aren’t very positive around me I try to at least give off a positive aura to change the mood. I believe people feed off of energy.
- Where do you see yourself/family in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years?
KB: In five years, I would see myself graduated with my Bachelors from Millersville University, possibly be going for my Masters in Civil Engineering or Architectural Design (I am undecided), traveling, learning about myself and my roots, living and loving life. Being a free-spirit.
Ten years from now, I hope to be working on opening my Architectural firm after working for a firm for about five years maximum for the experience. I want to open a program for children with developmental disabilities that are into the arts, including but not limited to audio engineering, singing, poetry, painting, graphic designing, sketching, etc. Somewhere for them to express themselves. I want to build this center in West Philadelphia, where I was born and raised. Then I will just begin to work on getting my graphic design business off the ground.
In 15 years from now, I hope my businesses begin to grow and I am able to start a family of my own.
- Any advice you would give your younger self?
KB: Do not ever let ANYTHING effect your happiness. If it is affecting your happiness, let it go and don’t feel bad about it. Just love yourself and God first and everything else will fall into place.
For more insight on Kellie and her designs, visit her on IG kb.graphicsanddesign !