Building a Life by Design: Crafting Success on Her Own Terms

Like many entrepreneurs, Lisa Sills didn’t start her professional career with plans to strike out on her own. But over time, and through significant life transitions like cross-country moves, new motherhood, and shifting market demands, Lisa discovered a knack for adapting, reinventing, and ultimately leading her way. From boutique agencies to in-house creative teams to launching her own design company not once, but twice, Lisa’s career path is a testament to the power of staying open, evolving with purpose, and embracing every opportunity as a chance to grow and learn. Her journey proves that success doesn’t have to look linear, and that the right path is often the one you choose to create for yourself. 

Learning by Doing

Lisa’s first job out of college was at a small boutique agency where she learned by doing. Lisa wore many hats, from print design to web development, often teaching herself skills on the fly. Without platforms like YouTube or ChatGPT, she relied on Google and sheer determination.

"It was a lot of patience and a lot of self-teaching," she says. "Google was my best friend!”

Taking the Leap: Going Solo (The First Time)

After several years in agency life, Lisa decided to strike out on her own. Confident in her abilities and craving creative variety, she launched her freelance business. 

During this first stint as a solo business owner, Lisa also began to understand what made her stand out in a crowded field. While her design skills were strong, clients appreciated her collaborative, low-ego approach most. "There are a lot of designers with great portfolios," she says, "but clients come back to me because they feel heard and respected. I want the process to feel like a partnership, not a transaction."

Lisa created a reusable pitch deck detailing her process and background to showcase her work and help grow her business.

Then, life shifted—she got married and moved to Atlanta, a city with no built-in community. The isolation was unexpected and tough.

"I missed having people to bounce ideas off of. I realized how much I thrived when I was part of a team."

Back to the Team—and Back Out Again

Lisa returned to agency life at a PR firm, splitting her time between traditional and digital design. She stayed for five years, but when COVID hit and she became a mom, she knew it was time to try entrepreneurship again. This time, with more experience and a stronger network, she felt ready.

"Having a community—like FemFoundry—has made all the difference. I wish I had it the first time."

Redefining Success on Her Own Terms

Today, Lisa runs a successful design company. She’s passionate about helping brands find their identity. She loves helping clients stand out by finding their unique visual voice in a saturated market. Most of all, she values the flexibility that self-employment brings.

"With two young kids, being able to work around their schedules is everything. I get to choose projects I love, and that keeps me motivated."

The Realities of Running a Business

Of course, building a business requires more than just creative talent. Lisa has taught herself how to manage everything from proposals to pricing to taxes. She recommends taking courses to learn about areas that are not your strengths. One fantastic resource Lisa swears by is Hoodzpah’s entrepreneur course, Freelance, and Business, and Stuff for creatives looking to launch their own ventures.

“The things that I don't know anything about and don't really have much interest in learning, I would outsource those. But things that I am interested in, like getting better at estimating prices and timelines, I’ll look for a class I can take.”

Advice for Other Entrepreneurs (Especially Introverts)

Lisa knows firsthand that being an introvert doesn’t mean you can’t run a client-facing business. She sets herself up for success and leans on tools like virtual meetings. As an introvert, she finds that in-person gatherings tend to drain her social battery, and she performs at her best when she is in a comfortable space with handy presentation notes at her side.

To other introvert entrepreneurs, Lisa says, "Most people genuinely want to see you succeed. Give yourself grace."

She also emphasizes the value of relationships, not just in building a client base, but in sustaining a business long-term. Many of her projects have come through former colleagues and peers who ventured out on their own and thought of her when they needed design help. Lisa has made it a point to maintain real, authentic connections over the years, knowing that referrals and repeat clients are often more powerful than cold outreach.

"There are lots of talented designers out there. What makes me stand out is that I’m easy to work with. I want to collaborate, not dictate. And I stay in touch with people—not for the sake of business, but because those relationships matter to me."

Proud Moment in Her Career

One of Lisa’s favorite projects was a complete rebrand for a 40-year-old company—an opportunity that allowed her to dive deep into nearly every touchpoint of the brand. From redesigning the logo and establishing a refreshed visual identity to overseeing the website, social content, environmental graphics, and even presentation decks, Lisa played a key role in bringing the company’s new direction to life.

"It was the kind of project that checks all the boxes for me," she says. "Collaborative, strategic, creatively fulfilling—and I got to be involved from the ground up."

The end result wasn’t just a beautiful new brand, but a renewed sense of pride from the company’s internal team. Lisa’s work helped them better tell their story and connect with their audience in a more authentic way. That kind of impact, she says, is what makes the long hours and hard work worth it.

Final Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

"Being a solopreneur is hard work— and worth it. There's risk, but also freedom."

As for what’s next? 

She’s taking it one season at a time. Lisa isn’t rushing to scale or pivot—she’s simply continuing to do the work she loves and accepting projects that excite her.

"Right now, I’m happy. I’m getting great work and enjoying what I do. If that changes, I’ll be open to whatever comes next."