We’re looking forward to introducing you to Meilani Darby. Check out our conversation below.
Meilani, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Every morning, I am up at exactly 7:00pm every sinlge morning. I take my son to school and we get there by 8:00am. After I take him to school, I go to the gym. I am there from 8:10 – 9:45am. From there I go home and take a shower. I make breakfast, pack a lunch, get dressed and work on my business. And then I leave to my part time job. I get there early and get into my devotional/Bible study.
After work I Pick my son up and head home. From there I cook, clean, shower and work more on my business. Routine is very important to me. As an artist and a business owner, it can be very easy to fall into chaos and uncertainty in my day, which can lead to discouragement and depression when you realize none of your tasks got done, your entire day got away from you, or you didn’t manage your time well.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Meilani Darby. Simply put, I am an artist. I am a graphic designer by trade, an artist by design. I have a createive agency called VisioDei, which means God’s Vision. I also have a Christian Magazine called Shameless Magazine.
I started the agency about 14 years ago. At the time it was called NaniDesigns. A few years later I realized that the business was bigger than myself, and so I renamed it Vision Designed. Fast forward some more years later and I realised that the only vision that mattered, was God’s.
I love my agency because to me, once I rebranded it and put things where they needed to go, I realized I was free. Free to focus on what I loved to do exclusively while I hired other creatives to do what they love to do. My agency has photographers, designers, producers, videographers, web developers, etc.
I love the agency because to me, we are all Christian artists who do what we love and who do it in excellence. Everything we put out shines, is beautiful and brings out the best of whatever the vision is.
Currently, the team and I are preparing to launch the second issue of Shameless Magazine, the Relationship Issue. I’m excited becuase this issue was being worked on 5 years ago! It’s been such a journey, working on it, quitting it, returning to it, walking away from it, etc. These magazines truly are a labor of love for me. I pour everything I have into every issue, and they hold some very beautiful, inspiring, deep stories and lessons from people I truly admire and appreciate. It’s now available at www.liveshameless.com !
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Ah! This question is such a good question. It’s deep. It brings me to what I’m dealing with almost every day. Releasing older versions of myself who are doing more damage than good. I’d have to say, a part of me that has served its purpose and I’m now ready to shed is the part of me that has been working overtime to protect me.
That version of myself is what keeps me and has kept me in survival mode and in a state of paranoia and worry. I’m learning more and more to truly let God be God, and let the Holy Spirit do the leading. I’m learning to focus more and more of my energy on being myself, healing and letting God fight my battles. It takes too much energy to worry about what people might do, or what they’re capable of doing. It isn’t healthy.
I’ve been hurt a lot. More times than I’m comfortable revealing, but I’m learning to forgive and move all the way on with what God has for me, trusting that He will expose the foolishness and protect me from the nonsense.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Humility. I will say it time and time again. Suffering will truly bring you to your knees before the Lord! But I’m learning that suffering can sometimes reveal in you what you need to work on. We can’t keep going around in our lives as victims. Some suffering is necessry, some of it is our own fault. But when the Bible says that God can turn all things around for your good, it means that even though you caused it, God can use it to make you a better person if you let Him.
To be honest, the same seasons I used to despise and pray for God to rescue me out of, are the same seasons I am now so grateful for. God did some of His best work in me in those seasons and I’m so grateful for it. One of the most powerful things that could have ever happened to me, was owning my own faults and working on myself. That’s actually where the name Shameless Magazine comes from. Learning from your mistakes and not letting the enemy tell your story.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
1. There’s no money in Art
2. Canva has replaced graphic art
3. AI is replacing creatives
4. Magazines are dead and no one reads them
5. Magazines are a dying business
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
When I’m by myself. Drinking my coffee. Sitting with Jesus. Plain and simple.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.liveshameless.com
- Instagram: @shamelessmagazine
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisioDeiCreatives
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shamelessmagazine3100
Image Credits
photographers: Christian Dixon, Will Utley
