Feature Friday: Hannah Carroll of Willow & Ink Designs
Hello friends!
I started my company as a side hustle 2015 after my husband and I got married that summer. I had always loved doodling and making signs + crafts growing up and so when it came time to plan our wedding, I decided to take it on myself (it was a lot and at many times, stressful haha). With help from my husband, we created our own Save the Dates, entire invitation suite, I addressed them all in dip pen calligraphy, and many various signage for the wedding, as well as the guest book. After that, I was hooked! I knew I wanted to turn this passion into a business and most importantly use it as a platform to share the love and hope of Jesus Christ.
A typical work day includes lots of coffee, listing my to-do's in my planner, working on various orders, coffee, snuggles with my kitty cat, working out, post office runs, oh and coffee.
A few of my fave things about being an entrepreneur would have to be how flexible I can make my work hours, freeing up time for visitors and adventures with the hubby, as well as being able to openly share my faith in the way that I feel the Lord is leading me. My faith, husband, family, and my besties really keep me going on difficult days. I know that sounds cliche, but it is the honest truth! When I feel like I am not good enough and will never have a huge successful business like the way I dream it to be, my besties always know how to say the exact right thing to put my mind right.
I wish I knew more about taxes and all the legal things that come with owning your own business before I started mine up. I would highly suggest looking into your state laws to make sure you are legal in every aspect. But, the most important advice I would to someone just starting out would simply be to be yourself. No one else is you. You are unique and original and people want to see that! So use you to your advantage!
I like to think that I have a bohemian style of inspiration, in respect that I find inspiration from all over and layer it on top of each other to create my own style. I love to admire other artists that I follow on insta or Pinterest. When drawing inspiration from other artists, however, it's vitally important to remember to make it your own, so as you're not copying their work.
My planner definitely helps keep me on task and productive throughout the day. I LOVE lists and crossing things off, so I have an entire list for almost every little thing throughout the day and it gives me a lot of satisfaction to be able to cross things off my list. I am careful to put the tasks with the greatest importance at the top of my list and I make sure to complete those first.
One app that I use for my business that has been a game changer would definitely be my QuickBooks Self Employed app! I am TERRIBLE with keeping records, and this app syncs up with my Etsy shop, making it super easy to keep up with everything. They also have a feature where you can take a quick picture of your receipt and categorized it accordingly!
My family is made up of my hubby, kitty cat, and myself! My husband is the spiritual and calm leader I need. He is level-headed, compassionate, silly, kind, and has the biggest servant-heart and I am beyond grateful to call him mine. He also plays guitar, sings, and is tall (which is amazing because I am super tall)! And then there's our fur baby. Her name is Gladys and she is the laziest, weirdest, cutest cat. She has brindle coloring and I have never seen another cat like her! She can also be the most annoying thing of my life when she is hungry. But then again, I'm the same way when I'm hungry.
Two huge goals for me for this year are to complete my website (AHH!) and finish my hand lettering workbook.
I always wanted to be a pop singer growing up (hello, Britney Spears).
I am currently reading through the Harry Potter series for at least the 5th time. Besides the Bible, these are the only books I really read. I'm not much of a reader, but wish I was! I do enjoy listening to the Goal Digger and The Influencer podcasts.
Whether I am drinking hot or iced coffee, I love to have it with hazelnut creamer and a package of stevia.
"But First, Gilmore Girls" mug! I am a huge GG fan!
I just finished binge watching The Staircase on Netflix. Any sort of murder mystery and I am hooked! And of course, if I am not binging anything, then you can probably find me watching The Office, Parks & Rec, or GG. What can I say, I'm a creature of habit.
"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all." - Helen Keller
My current fave vacation spot is Mexico (I love love love the beach), but really want to travel around Europe!
Two things that have been on my bucket list for a while now are touring through Israel and visiting Harry Potter World.
Hannah, thanks so much for your time and sharing part of your heart on the blog!
If you want to follow Hannah and/or support her shop, visit the links below:
