Her Story

elizabeth: 00:00

Welcome back to another episode of her story. Today, we're joined by a graphic and web designer with a heart for empowering others. From teaching design at an all girls school to building her dream creative business, Her journey is one of courage, creativity, and resilience. As a mama of two, she balances motherhood with her passion for helping small business owners and online course creators, bringing their visions to life. With her bright modern designs and unwavering support, she is proof that big dreams and meaningful work can coexist.

elizabeth: 00:39

She is Stacy Aguilar, and this is her story. Stacy, welcome to the podcast.

stacy: 01:02

Thanks for having me. I'm excited to be here.

elizabeth: 01:05

Yeah. Alright. Well, so take us back to the beginning. What did life look like before you got into graphic graphic design, and what were some of your fair first career steps?

stacy: 01:19

Yes. So I was studying, policy and nonprofit management in graduate school, actually. And at that time, I was in New York. I lived in New York for little bit when I was in grad school, and I was really interested in more of the visual side of things and more of the creative side of things. And so as I was taking classes and and stuff like that, I was really interested in, like, the communication and marketing bent of the nonprofit management world.

stacy: 01:45

And so I started just kind of learning on the side because my courses weren't exactly aligning with that. So I started taking design classes on the side. I started doing internships and just taking smaller projects in the summer that were in that space. And so I had some really interesting I interned at Carnegie Hall for a little bit. I interned at a little, like, food co op thing that I got paid in just, like, bags of fresh produce.

stacy: 02:11

So, like, lots of little random things. I was doing their social media and and design work. So kinda picking up things there, and then that led me to actually take more, like, some jobs at advertising agencies on the strategy side of things. So I had interned in New York at an ad agency. Then when I moved back to Texas, to Austin, I started working at an ad agency.

stacy: 02:34

So that was kind of that that shift, but more on the strategy side and then picking up design skills along the way. And then I moved to Fort Worth. This is where I live now. And after kind of probably about five or six years in advertising, decided I didn't really want to be in that space anymore, and a really great opportunity came up to teach. And so I started teaching design.

stacy: 03:00

So it all was connected to design, but kind of in these different spaces. And I love teaching. I'd or I love my job. It was a really great space for me, and I we can talk more about that. But it was a really great space for me to kinda stretch those kind of, like, early entrepreneurial, like, muscles, I guess.

stacy: 03:18

But during that time, during teaching is really when I started picking up freelance projects, and it gave me the, like, the confidence and and the skills to kinda go full time once I was ready to transition out of that.

elizabeth: 03:32

Do you miss teaching at all?

stacy: 03:35

I don't miss the actual in the classroom of teaching per se. It is very hard. But I do miss I really am passionate about just education in general, so I'm I'm really I still really I spend a lot I work with a lot of teachers, and I'm just really empathetic towards my kids' teachers. You know, I just really try to I try to volunteer and do a lot, but I don't necessarily miss teaching mostly because of all the extra stuff that goes with it. It's very challenging.

stacy: 04:07

But I taught at a all girls public school, but it was like a charter like a partnership in sixth through twelfth grade, and I got to work with mostly middle schoolers and was doing their graphic design classes. So I had a lot of freedom in my class to do, like, really cool projects. And so I definitely had the, like, brighter like, the a nice view. Like, my my classes were were really fun. So I didn't have, you know, testing and things to deal with.

stacy: 04:33

So

elizabeth: 04:34

Yeah. So when when you were exploring different roles, you know, when you were, in New York and in advertising and then you transitioned into teaching, what helped you realize that entrepreneurship was ultimately the right path for you?

stacy: 04:53

Yeah. So I really feel like every little thing that you do along the way, like, you pick up skills that all work together. And when you look down, if you look back, you're like, oh my gosh. How did all of that like, it all worked towards where I'm at now. Right?

stacy: 05:07

And so I feel like every little thing that I I've done has just informed and shaped what I can do now. And so I it it's funny when I tell all about the backstory because people like policy and advertising and teaching, those do not connect. But I feel like they all create this path, and it's all they've all given me different things. So but I really think that teaching, oddly, gave me a kind of a taste of entrepreneurship because like I was saying, I personally had a lot of freedom in my class to create projects that were like, I just had a lot of autonomy. So I could I created my whole curriculum and I was able to create projects, and it gave me a lot of opportunities to just try new things.

stacy: 05:50

And and I got to do a lot of collaborative projects, and I worked with the community and created we created an in house student studio and brought in, you know, businesses to work with the kids. And so I had a lot of opportunities to just create in my business, which was really great. And my principal was just like, yes. Please run with it. So I think that gave me that taste for entrepreneurship that I was like, okay.

stacy: 06:15

I know that design like, I know I can do something with this. And so during teaching, I also started when after my first was born, I started selling on Etsy and just doing side projects. Because I think that's another thing. If you are the type of person that's constantly doing side projects and, like, have all these ideas, like, that's probably a sign that you're an entrepreneur. So I remember distinctly remember all these conversations with my husband when we were first married of all these ideas I had, all these things I wanted to start.

stacy: 06:44

And he was like, okay. Like, calm down. But, like, even before even outside of teaching, I used to I did a lot of stuff in the community. So I organized a pie and a wassail fair, which no one had really heard of, but I was just like, let's do it. So, like, all these, like, really Yeah.

stacy: 06:59

Like, I just feel like I had a lot of projects. And so I think but, anyhow, when I was teaching, I started selling on Etsy. I started doing in person workshops. So I just kinda always wanted to create and do and try things. And and I think all that was informed by just the experiences I had had up until that point.

stacy: 07:20

But then ultimately, I left teaching to do my own thing once right before my second was born. So the school year was ending, and I just knew it was a good time to transition out. Like I said, I love my school. I love teaching. I loved where I was at, but I knew that I had a skill or just like a vision for how I could do it differently to, you know, have a better work life balance, to do what I wanted to do.

stacy: 07:45

And I also really wanted to use design in a way to, like, lift up people. And I I enjoyed doing it in the school setting, but I also felt like I could do it and create a bigger impact in other places. So I was like, I don't know exactly what it's gonna look like, but I know it's gonna be different, and I can do it. And so that was kind of that shift out.

elizabeth: 08:06

So when you transition into did you transition from, teaching straight into opening your, like, design studio? And how long did you, like so were you worried about the money side of things, or were you in a position where you could just, you know, step away and start something new?

stacy: 08:27

Yeah. I definitely I was lucky to not have to be like, okay. I need to be making x amount per year. I was able to, within a couple years, make the same as my teacher salary, which is, you know, on the lower side. So it helped at least I knew that I could, you know, replace that.

stacy: 08:44

But no. Right? So I was take I started taking on some freelance projects while I was teaching. So I started getting an idea of, like, client interactions and things like that. And I had already established a relationship with a local business that I knew I could probably start working with when I left, but it wasn't, like, set up and it wasn't gonna be a full time.

stacy: 09:04

You know? It was very slow because I didn't know what it was gonna be like to work to be a stay at home mom working on the side or, like it was very much an identity shift for me because I had gone from working full time with my kid being in daycare full time to then being home with a toddler and a newborn and then also being like, okay. But I I have ideas. Have you know? So it's just that shift took some time.

stacy: 09:28

Yeah. And then also mentally, like, I know it can be really easy to just I don't know. Like, be like, oh, it's just a side thing. Like, it's a you know, versus being like this no. These are the foundational steps of my new business and career.

stacy: 09:42

And so you're just giving your space you know, giving your yourself time and space to, like, do that. But I think for me specifically, like I said, I started working with a local business just part time doing some design work for her. But it was that beginning stages were really important for me to figure out what I even really enjoy doing and what I like doing. Within the design space, you know, there's a big difference between branding and web design versus just, marketing design and graphics and creating so you know, just, like, stuff that a business might need for their social media is different than building out a website. Like, there's just nuances to any business, you know, area.

stacy: 10:22

And so those first couple of years allowed me the space to test things out and try different things. And and then once my my kids started going to well, then COVID hit, and then that was a big shift too. So it took a little bit to get in a groove. But but, no, those first few years, I had the opportunity to kinda ease into it, I guess, to answer your question.

elizabeth: 10:48

Yeah. Yeah. That's that's one of the things I really love about your journey is that you kinda, like, took your time, you know, doing all these different roles and and jobs and just kinda took your time and to kinda realize what you enjoy doing too. You know, not just, like, go full on on something, and then you might be like, oh, well, I I don't even enjoy this. So Yeah.

elizabeth: 11:15

I think you

stacy: 11:17

it's good to look I think it's really important to look at what you're doing and see if you enjoy it, what can be better, and then not be like, well, this was a waste of my time, and then stop. You know, like, just continuing to to, like, iterate and to tweak and improve and and learn something new or try something new or you know, it's just it it's gonna take some it's it's gonna be a lot of, like, trying, falling, scraping your knee, doing it again until you feel like, okay. Like that's like teaching when I started teaching. I I was not trained to be a teacher. I did alternative certification.

stacy: 11:51

And so the first two years were hard. They just kinda put you in the classroom, and you just have to figure it out. Even if you knew your material, it's the classroom management and the time management that takes time. And so I didn't really feel comfortable teaching till my third year. And that's the same thing with a business that you're starting it, and it's gonna feel clunky and hard until probably a few years in.

stacy: 12:13

And you're like, okay. I actually have a a really solid skill set that I'm I want to and should be giving out to others. Like, they need to be paying for the service or what have you. I have skills to give, and so it it just takes time, I think.

elizabeth: 12:26

Yeah. Were there moments where you doubted your ability to, like, carve out your own path, and how did you push through those doubts?

stacy: 12:37

Yeah. So definitely at the beginning when I was transitioning, like I said okay. I feel like I said transitioning so much, but as I've shifted from this full time mom or full time business, whatever, to staying home, I think just like that was kinda hard to figure out who I was, what I'm doing. I also had this realization that I needed to, like, make new friends that my kid could play with. Like, there's like this whole, you know, my toddler had gone from being at school, and now she's home with me.

stacy: 13:08

And so it's just like, that felt very overwhelming. Oh my gosh. I can't why why did I do this? Like, let's just go back to how it was. You know?

stacy: 13:15

So I feel like there was a little bit of a time where I was trying to figure out who I was, what our schedule and life was gonna look like. And then it took a while to get clients and to get moving. You know? Something that was a really pivotal moment for me was during COVID. Things shifted online a lot.

stacy: 13:35

Right? And so as someone who does a lot of online work, it was great for me. But and there was a lot of creative courses and and content creators and things. And I found it kinda, like, back ended into a world of teacher entrepreneurs and and teachers who are creators online. And there was a specific conference that I joined kind of at the beginning of that of COVID, like an online conference.

stacy: 13:58

And I started chatting with people and I got plugged in with somebody who put me on their podcast, and it just kinda grew naturally from there. But it takes time to find your niche and to get that in, and it's just constant collaboration and conversations and giving, giving, giving until I think things kinda click. Yeah. And not But I definitely think at the beginning, it's hard. Yeah.

elizabeth: 14:18

And not not giving up. Like you say, you were you transitioned transitioned. You transitioned from teaching to being at home with your babies, and you were, you know, doubtful, I guess, and worried about how to do it and what to do and all that, but you never gave up. And then you eventually Yeah. Made it to a place where you're you know, everything falls into place.

elizabeth: 14:42

But, yeah, it it takes time. It's not like from one day to the next. So yeah. I get that.

stacy: 14:49

It's definitely mental too. Like, you've gotta you've gotta believe you've gotta give yourself be like, I'm gonna do this. I'm gonna put myself in this for a couple years and just I I can be here in this space. This is, you know, like, it is okay for me to be doing this. Right?

stacy: 15:05

And and and then push forward. I feel like if you don't have you know, I don't have a lot of friends and at that time, at least, I didn't have a lot of friends who were also, like, big entrepreneurs who are, like you know, it's a lot of so you have to kinda you're you have to be very self motivated and then also find people online perhaps that are also there to lift you up and find, you know, community as a I think a big part of it too.

elizabeth: 15:26

Yeah. Entrepreneurship is a lonely path, for sure.

stacy: 15:31

Yes. It definitely can be.

elizabeth: 15:33

And and and when you're a mom, I feel like when you're an entrepreneur and a mom, things can get a little bit harder because, like you say, you had your babies at home, and then you're feeling like you wanna work in your business, but you also want to, like, make more friends for your toddler and stuff like that. So there's definitely an extra load as moms and entrepreneurs that, you know, we bear. And so, yeah, it's gonna be I feel like being an mom and an entrepreneur is being an entrepreneur is hard as it is. But also being a mom, that's I feel like that's, I don't know, more stressful than other people.

stacy: 16:18

There's a I think there's a lot of yeah. There's the mom guilt. There's a lot of being pulled back and forth. I do think I wish I had talked more, like, maybe try to network more or talk more with other moms when my kids were little. Like, I think there are a lot of people who are creating and doing stuff on the side.

stacy: 16:34

So there's definitely a community there, but I think Mhmm. You just get so wrapped up with, like, what's going on in your life. And Mhmm. But but, yeah, it's I don't know. It's I feel like I've had, like it's like two versions of my business.

stacy: 16:46

One was when my babies were little little, and they're in daycare and home. Now they're both in elementary school, so I have more of, like, dedicated time. So it's definitely, like, you know, two sides of it. Now I feel like there's a lot of a lot of the parents and their school are are creators and have their own thing going, and it's definitely more it's just I'm in a different space now. But from the business started, I definitely was, like, working during nap times and late at night and just, you know, all the things.

stacy: 17:15

So

elizabeth: 17:16

And how old are your babies now?

stacy: 17:19

So six and nine. Okay. So they're still going since they're going to

elizabeth: 17:23

school, you have a little bit Yes. More time.

stacy: 17:26

Yeah. When my my youngest went she started school, you know, kinder last year. I was like, oh my gosh. What am I gonna do at five days?

elizabeth: 17:33

I know. I know. My kids just started going to school. My younger one, he's four, and he started pre k last year. So, yeah, he's definitely there.

elizabeth: 17:45

Yeah. Alright. So, well, let's talk about your business. You work with small business owners and online course creators. So what do you love most about empowering other entrepreneurs through your work?

stacy: 18:05

I think that I've always thought that design can help just elevate someone's story in their business and things like that. Right? I mean, people can be great skilled skilled, you know, whatever it is that they do. But unless they have a really great platform to do it, it's kinda hard to I don't know. There's a lot about design that helps create validation.

stacy: 18:28

Like, the brand side of thing helps people trust in you, help people remember you, all that stuff. Right? They they can trust what you're doing. But then, like, the website side of things, that makes it simpler. It works really hard for you.

stacy: 18:39

It helps people connect with you. So there's a lot of things that, like, design can do for a business. But I just really like being able to I have so many of my clients are, like I said, course creators or, like, coaches who their whole business is supporting other people. Mhmm. And they really want to lift other people up.

stacy: 18:55

And so so much of what they've done has been a lot of times DIY ing or trying to piecemeal things together so they can get that message out. And so they're finally ready to invest in their business to do that even more. And so I just feel like I just get this wonderful privilege of doing a lot of work that feels very powerful and impactful. And a lot of that are teachers that are creating resources for other teachers and kids and a lot and like I said, course, coaches who are empowering people. So I just think it's a lot of, like, people who are passionate about how they helping other people, and I just get this really great opportunity to create a foundation for them to do that really well.

stacy: 19:32

And so I just think it's it's really cool. But

elizabeth: 19:35

yeah. For sure. But the impact that you get the impact that you're, I guess, sharing by helping that specific coach or that specific cross creator to help them, you know, spread their message better with Yeah.

stacy: 19:54

It's like amplify.

elizabeth: 19:55

Yeah. It's kinda like a Yeah. Ripple effect, I guess. Yeah. So do you do like, I know your niche is kinda that course creators, coaches, but if I don't know.

elizabeth: 20:05

Do you do any other type of businesses? Like, I don't know if, like Yeah.

stacy: 20:09

I'll I

elizabeth: 20:10

don't know.

stacy: 20:11

I was gonna say just, like, email like, a lot of times, I work with women who are, like, service providers or more of that kinda, like, like a virtual assistant or balloon artist. Like, maybe they aren't, like you know, there's, like, more service like, so it's it's still empowering them to do what they do best, but it's not necessarily, like, teaching. So, yes. I definitely help other small business owners in that space who are yeah. It's I feel like it's still passion led because it's still there.

stacy: 20:41

Like, oftentimes, like a virtual assistant, for example, they're wanting to stay home and create their own work life balance, blah blah blah, you know, not blah blah blah, but, like, that whole bit. And it's, like, it's it's a powerful story. So I just really love supporting other people's business like, missions and visions, and so I think it all kinda wraps into that.

elizabeth: 21:00

Yeah. Alright. And so your designs are known for their bright, modern aesthetic with a minimalist meets boho vibe. So how did you develop that signature style?

stacy: 21:17

I was thinking about this recently. The short answer is I don't really know, but I think that part of it I think that part of it might be I think very my design aesthetic is very modular. Like, think in grids and boxes and sections, and that's kinda how I design, specifically websites. And I think a lot of that foundational kind of design thinking probably actually came when I was the website or sorry, the yearbook sponsor Mhmm. At our school, which is basically, like, magazine layout style.

stacy: 21:54

You know, if you're thinking about, like, a magazine, how you would layout. And so I think a lot of that, like, kinda, like, minimalist modular design came from that kinda era of my design life. But, otherwise, just like the boho kind of vibe. I think that's just a carryover from my own kinda home and lifestyle. I really like a calm, clean house Mhmm.

stacy: 22:15

Even though that's not often what's happening, but that's that's the the vibe I

elizabeth: 22:19

just have Yes.

stacy: 22:21

And so I think a lot of that just transfers over. And I just think, honestly, it's very user friendly to have a very clean, lots of white space. And so a big part of my design style, if you will, is to minimize friction, increase conversions, help the user experience the site. And so a lot of that is having really clean sites that are not clunky. You know, they move really fast and well.

stacy: 22:46

And so part of that, all that goes together, I think.

elizabeth: 22:49

I love I absolutely love your design. And here's here's a story. A while ago, I remember going to a website, and I loved it. It was beautiful. And I remember seeing that you had made it, but then that was it.

elizabeth: 23:06

I didn't really think any anything of it. And then fast forward a few years, I was at at the lynn with lynnsey bowden dot com. You know, Lindsay? Mhmm. She was actually on the podcast, so I'm so excited about that.

elizabeth: 23:22

So I remember seeing her website, and and I thought, oh my gosh. That is beautiful. I love that. And I asked her, like, hey. You know, who built your website or, you know, what's going on?

elizabeth: 23:34

And she said, Stacy Aguilar did it. And so I remember, oh my gosh. Stacy Aguilar. I'm like, yes. Her designs are beautiful.

elizabeth: 23:41

Of course. And so that's how I got the idea of bringing you into the podcast. Oh. Because I just absolutely absolutely love your designs. They're they're gorgeous.

elizabeth: 23:50

And is that kind of style, like, minimalistic, but, you know, a user friendly style? Like, I I just you you are great at what you do. I mean, you truly are.

stacy: 24:01

Thank you. Well, I love working with Lindsay's brand, so that's really good.

elizabeth: 24:04

I love Lindsay. She's she's great. Alright. So with so many DIY website platforms available, what do you think is the biggest benefit of working with a professional designer like yourself?

stacy: 24:19

So when I think about, you know, the trade offs of working with the designer versus DIY and stuff, I kinda think about, you know, if you're gonna do a renovation project in your own house, like a bathroom renovation. Mhmm. You know, I just recently we've done a bathroom, like a DIY, and we've done a professional. Mhmm. And the DIY is definitely, you know, more lipstick, like, fixed you know, it's more like there's definitely some imperfections, but it works.

stacy: 24:44

It works for now. You know, it's like, you can DIY it, YouTube your way through, and have a nice, you know, Instagram worthy transformation. And that's great. That's wonderful. I mean, you do it for half the cost.

stacy: 24:56

Like, it's beautiful. But, like, in my experience, like, it doesn't last as long. You know, after a couple years, things might start breaking or, like, the stick on tile that I put on upstairs in our bathroom is peeling. So, like, you know, it's it is it's just not necessarily gonna be able to last or scale as long perhaps. Like, it might be fun in the beginning stages, but once your business grows, like, you'll likely need to invest in, you know, a more thorough brand foundation, really understanding your brand voice and mission, all those things.

stacy: 25:28

And then maybe a site that's a little bit more robust that has more on the back end. And and so it's just kind of a matter of, you know, time versus money versus quality, that trade off. I think DOIing at the beginning of your business is very you know, is probably a good cost effective thing to do. But also, there's gonna be you know, you have to put in the time to learn something that's maybe not your expertise.

elizabeth: 25:51

Mhmm.

stacy: 25:51

You know, my teacher clients, for example, they're fantastic teachers, but they might not be a web designer. You know, those are not the same thing. And so, you know, put any, you know, any person in that situation. But so I think it was just that trade off, but then also there's a really good amount of, like, strategy and understanding the user's experience in the site and an eye for design that, you know, goes into it. And so I think when it comes to a website, know, it can be hard to really understand how to put all the pieces together on the back end to make it really seamless.

stacy: 26:25

And you can figure it out. It just might take a lot more time. So it's just kinda the balance. But yeah. And I also think, ultimately, you wanna stand out and be really unique in your space.

stacy: 26:35

And so templates kinda can only get you so far.

elizabeth: 26:38

Yeah. I was gonna say that, like, you can, 99% of the time, tell when a website was designed professionally, that when it was Yeah. DIY. Like, a %. And what other what other things do you do besides website design?

elizabeth: 26:55

Do you do, like, I don't know, landing pages or what what are other

stacy: 26:59

Yeah.

elizabeth: 26:59

Stories that you

stacy: 27:00

So my so a lot of times my clients need brand work, so we provide brand support, know, and if we need, like, a new logo and color palette, all that, the whole brand system. But then also web design. If my clients are course creators, you know, often we do long form sales pages or, like, you know, programs, memberships, courses, long form sales pages, landing pages for lead magnets, all of that stuff. Like and I so I have, you know, brand and web packages, but I also have VIP day packages, which are more like I need, you know just like right now this week, I'm doing something where I'm creating doing more on the back end of a website. So I'm updating the site on the front, but I'm also creating the email sequence on the backside, adding in coaching platforms on the backside, like, helping the site be more robust and, like, more supportive for the client.

stacy: 27:54

So there's kind of that front facing brand and web design piece, but then also if clients are like, hey. I need a new sales page. I need landing pages. I need us to, you know, set up the systems for this course or membership on the backside. Like, that's stuff that I come in and help as well with.

elizabeth: 28:10

Yeah. That sounds great. So in a world where everything is going mobile, what are some critical tips for ensuring a website is mobile friendly and responsive, I guess? And I wanted to ask you this, and I also wanted to ask you when you're designing or creating a new website, do you focus on the mobile more or first? Or, you know, how does that how does that work?

stacy: 28:40

Yeah. So so I guess I'll start with mobile first, like, mobile first design. So I think the main thing the very first thing I think of is making sure buttons and, like, clickable features. If you're looking at a phone, making sure the button's big enough or the clickable feature's big enough or they're not too close to like, I've been on a site where you're trying to click a link or a button, but it's kinda, like, overlapped with something else or, like, it's just too close to something, and so it's not opening properly, that kind of thing. So you wanna make sure your buttons are bigger and your clickable, know, functions are easy.

stacy: 29:13

And then you're also, to that effect, remembering you're using a touch screen. So, like, on a website, you might have a hover, you know, like, you hover over a button, it might change colors. And so that's how you know that you're hovering. Whereas on a touch screen, it's not like that. So you might need to do more of, like, a swipe function or, like, a large touchable function.

stacy: 29:34

So there's different ways that people interact with a mobile versus a desktop. But then also simplifying your navigation, because you don't want a long navigation, you know, like, need to just think about if someone's on a phone, like, they click that little hamburger menu up there, like, there's a few options. They don't wanna keep scrolling, you know. So just trying to understand how to simplify the experience. Definitely wanna make this the mobile, like, as fast as possible.

stacy: 29:58

You don't want it to be loading and clunky and pop ups happening on a mobile because people are just gonna close it because no one has time for that. But then also, think just giving the site to a lot of people to test it out. Be like, hey. Click through. Did anything funky happen or was anything confusing?

stacy: 30:12

So that usability testing is really important. I'll give one example. I where was I? I was at a smoothie place, and, I was trying to download the app so that I could get the code, like, free gift or whatever. Yeah.

stacy: 30:26

And so but on the website, all they had to get to the app was a QR code. But I can't get the QR code because I can't scan it because I'm on the app or on the phone. You know? And so I'm like, I can't download this. Yeah.

stacy: 30:40

But, like, it's just not thinking about it. And so I was like, I need this to be clickable or like a button so that I can download the app. So those kinda like usability kinda testing. When it comes to actually designing, like, web versus I mean, sorry, desktop versus mobile first, I personally do desktop first. Mhmm.

stacy: 30:57

And then I use Adobe XD. So, like, you can there's, a responsive option. So you make it desktop version. Like, I use sorry. I use Adobe XD to mock up to create mock ups of the website first.

stacy: 31:10

And then, basically, you can take that same mock up and hit, like, this responsive function, and then you can, like, reduce it down. And then you can, like, fiddle with how you want it to look on mobile. So you can create a desktop versus a mobile design. And that was gonna be an invite. You know, if if someone is DIY ing their site or they're trying to do this on their own, I definitely think the the best thing you can do is to mock it up first versus, like, going in blindly and starting to, like, do it on the fly.

stacy: 31:38

You know? If you don't know Adobe, like, you could probably get away with using Canva or something like that. But it just getting a layout of all the pages together and how they interact with one another is a really big part of doing that well. Yeah.

elizabeth: 31:52

Yeah. That was that was actually my next question. What somebody building their website for the first time, what what's the most important advice that you would give them to create something professional but also functional?

stacy: 32:05

Yeah. I would say definitely start with mock up first. And then a huge part of, I think, what looks DIY versus professional is spacing and size of of the fonts. So I know that seems so, like, not important, but the spacing between your lines and the margins and the spacing between, like, sections of text and just the white space in general. I think white space can, like, kill your design if it's not done well.

stacy: 32:34

And so that's really just having an eye for spacing. You know? It's it's does this feel aligned or even? Like, is it you know, is there an equal space on both sides here? Does this feel too close?

stacy: 32:46

Does you know? So it's it kinda takes a little bit of an eye there, but I think mock up first versus just going into, you know, blindly trying to click around. But then also, definitely reduce the size of images that are going into your site. So there's image I like to use a website called tinyPNG, where you can just drop in a bunch of images, and it will reduce the size without losing the quality. And then, you know, use JPEG images when you can, which are smaller than PNG images.

stacy: 33:17

But you just wanna try not to put really big bulky images in your site. So those are probably the top ones I'd say.

elizabeth: 33:24

Absolutely. Yeah. That's those are two great ones for sure. Alright. So for listeners who have a creative passion but don't see a clear path forward, what advice would you give them?

stacy: 33:40

So I would say, you know, everything can be creative and, you know, like like baking sourdough bread. Like, that's beautiful and creative. Or, you know, selling at Etsy. Like, there's all these different creative adventures. Right?

stacy: 33:53

So I would say to just pick one thing to try, give it your all for a month or two. And then like I was saying earlier, reflect on what went well, what did not go well. Did you enjoy it? What can you do differently? Don't think of it as a failure if things didn't work or no one bought it or whatever, it flopped.

stacy: 34:10

Like, it's all part of the learning process. You know, I have done so many random things in the past, but, like, I, you know, I said I was selling on Etsy and I did in person workshops. So what I did was I started creating I I saw at the time, like, wall weavings, you know, like the hangings with, like, yarn art was really popular. And I was like, you know what? I don't wanna I wanna make it.

stacy: 34:35

I'm gonna make it myself. I'm gonna learn how to make it. So I learned how to make it. And then after doing it for a while, maybe, like, a few months, I decided I'm gonna teach other people how to do it. And so then I decided I'm just gonna I'm just gonna but where?

stacy: 34:48

So I just contacted a local bakery, and I was like, can I use your space to host a live workshop? And they're like, sure. So and then I was like, okay. So I'm gonna buy some muffins and include that in the cost. And, like, I just try to figure it out as I go, you know, and maybe I didn't make money on that because of the cost of the materials.

stacy: 35:06

I don't know. But it was a learning experience. You know? And then it was I had to learn how to market it, and will people sign up, and how will they pay? And it's just a lot of, like, learning as you go.

stacy: 35:16

And I think you learn a lot in the process, and just give yourself grace. Like like I said, try something and then reflect on it. What went well? What didn't? And and then improve.

stacy: 35:27

So

elizabeth: 35:27

Yeah. And like you said at the beginning, everything you did when you first started, everything kinda, like, helped you. Like, you learn something from each experience that you now

stacy: 35:39

For sure. You know,

elizabeth: 35:41

that that you now apply in your business, I guess. As a mom of two little ones, how do you create boundaries and balance between running a business and being present at home?

stacy: 35:55

So I think this is harder when they're little little. Right? When they're, like, home for half the week. And I when I'm trying to think back when they were smaller. I I I know I prioritized exercise at the time because I wanted to know, so we went to the gym, like, three times a week, and I put them in daycare.

stacy: 36:16

You know, they had, a child's Yeah.

elizabeth: 36:17

Yeah. Child watch. Mhmm.

stacy: 36:18

Preachucker. Yeah. So I used to do that. Just to prioritize that for mental clarity and just to give them, like I don't know. It created about it created a a schedule.

stacy: 36:28

Right? A rhythm. And then I try my best to work during certain hours, you know, during nap times, or I did work late at night a lot when they were littler. But I think a lot of it too is to set realistic goals of what you can do and to not compare yourself with people who have endless amount of time. Right?

stacy: 36:49

I think I in that say that stage, I would try to, like, do so much, and then I would get so frustrated when I didn't get through my list. I was like, well, you have two little people running around and you have two hours. Like be realistic of what you can do, you know? And then if you can bring in help when you when you can, like, you know, there's a lot of great VAs out there or other you know, either get help in your business or get help with your kids, I guess. Those are the two different areas.

stacy: 37:12

But but yeah. But now with my kids older, I try to bring them in sometimes. And if I am working after school and they come back to the office, I'm like, look what I'm doing, like trying to get, you know, see so they can kinda see the work I'm doing. But I try not to work when they're home. I mean, that's just basic like but it's hard because, know, I pick them up at four, and then we're going with after school activities and all the stuff.

stacy: 37:37

And so oftentimes, I'm I'm working in the car. I have a little tray that I hook to my steering wheel that makes it a little twist. So I do that sometimes if I need to. But I I've been trying to set very manageable goals. Like, if I'm gonna sit there for thirty minutes doing something in the car, it's gonna be like, send an email, check this.

stacy: 37:57

It's not gonna be like, finish a website. You know? So it should, like, be, like, realistic with the what what we can do.

elizabeth: 38:03

Yeah. Absolutely. I was talking to a girl yesterday, actually. She she runs a very successful Etsy shop. I think she made, like, a million dollars in sales Uh-huh.

elizabeth: 38:13

In, like, five or six years. And she said, like, the my very first hire was, I think, a nanny or somebody to help her do the laundry or something like that. And I'm like, that's smart.

stacy: 38:28

That's Yeah. I mean, yeah. Find the things that, like the little areas that you could, like, bring in support that are just or time sucks. So maybe that's on the business side where you're need someone to help with social media or it's somebody, yeah, who comes to do laundry or Yes. Watches with your kid you know, hangs out with your kids for two hours so you can get extra work done, like, whatever that means for your business for sure.

elizabeth: 38:49

Absolutely. For sure. Alright. So we're getting close to the end here. So I wanted to ask you what's next for your for you and your business.

elizabeth: 38:58

Are there any exciting projects or plans for the future?

stacy: 39:04

Yeah. This year, I'm work I'm really focusing on setting up collab like, more collaborations and just working with other people and kinda my sphere just to I really like networking and interacting with other people. And I think the past couple years, I've been so head down focused on client work and things like that that I want just to do more with other people. So I'm trying to do a lot more collaborations this year. I'm also been brainstorming some new kind of digital resources or templates.

stacy: 39:33

Not like full on website templates, but other things that would support my audience. So noodling around with some of those things. But, yeah, just I have I wanna learn more about you know, I have personal goals for, like, design skills and tools that I wanna learn and things like that. Just always trying to get better and but, yeah, I think that's really it. Collaborations and some more digital resources and and things like that.

elizabeth: 39:59

Absolutely. Alright. And the last question, where can listeners learn more about you and connect with you?

stacy: 40:08

Yeah. So best place would be Instagram, stacy e aguilar. I'm sure it'll be linked down here. People spell my name wrong a lot because there's the e's plugged in there tricky, and aguilar can be hard, but Stacy E Aguilar on Instagram. And then my website is the same, stacyeaguilar.com, to see, you know, my work, my how I can support you.

stacy: 40:30

There's a contact form in there to set up a call if we wanna just chat about your business and where you're at, and, you know, it's it's just a conversation, so to see if there's a way to support. But those are the two main areas, my website and then Instagram. Stacy,

elizabeth: 40:45

thank you so much for your time and for being here. We definitely learned a lot about you and about web design, and so I'm so grateful that you came in today.

stacy: 40:58

Of course. It was great. Alright. See you.