Daily Inspiration: Meet Lisa Aihara

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Aihara.

Hi Lisa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I had built a marketing career I was really proud of, with a brag-worthy resume with names like Disney and Hulu and Experian on it—but always felt the itch to do something creative as well. I started my own design studio in 2016 and have not looked back since.

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?
Definitely not a smooth road. I’ve always been the “try now, ask questions later” kind of entrepreneur which is so funny because I’m not really like that with my personal life—but when it came to my business, I just kept following my curiosities, made amazing decisions and costly mistakes all the same along the way. When my business was product-based, I made way too much inventory. I rebranded and shifted my business at the cost of confusing customers. I niched down thinking that was what I needed to do, but pigeon-holed myself instead—so now I’m really just allowing myself to explore again because the “mistakes” brought me to where I am and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am really proud of the fact that all the design I create comes from a hand-lettered or hand-drawn element. My logos aren’t just fancy fonts that I type out, they’re uniquely 100% for my clients. And while that’s a little scary because I’m truly putting myself out there, I love that the work I create isn’t something that can be replicated.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Organic networking has been the best for me, not meeting people for the sake of meeting people and “having them help me in the future.” You don’t make real connections that way because it’s tiring. I’ve passed on relationships that probably would have been more beneficial for my business and instead kept ties with people I truly liked spending time with, and those are the people I ended up working with or that brought me referrals. Knowing I’m not for everybody and not everybody is for me has been super helpful.

Pricing:

• 2750 Brand Identity Package

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.ellettestudio.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ellettestudio

Image Credits
Carissa Woo Photography Lauren Mihae Photography Paige Ray Creative