How It All Started – The Beginnings of Palme Design Co.

As the very first blog of Palme Design Co. (it’s been years in the making, but here we are!) I thought it only fitting to share my story of how I started Palme Design Co. and even all the way back to the beginnings of my passion for graphic design and creativity in general.

The Early Years

Even as a small child, I was always making something. I vividly remember opening Microsoft Word up and designing a menu for a made up restaurant that I created in my head… for the sole purpose of designing a menu. Another one that immediately comes to mind is a flyer I made for a little “club” I wanted to start with some neighborhood kids my age that all had dogs. I don’t remember the specifics of the club as we never really started it because again, I thought it up for the main purpose of designing a little flyer. I never really thought much of these ideas, but now that I look back on my childhood it all makes sense.

I had never heard of graphic design until I took a class in high school. We were just designing things like pamphlets & “ads”. Fun fact, I won a little competition making an ad for a local business, although I’m sure if I saw what I designed now I’d have no idea how I won.

I didn’t give much thought to graphic design much after that class. I went on to graduate high school, start college, and even serve an 18 month mission for my church. When I got home from my mission I knew it was time to get serious about my degree and finally choose a major. I signed up for a slew of classes from psychology to business, and everything in between including a graphic design class!

A few weeks into the semester and I knew graphic design was it for me. I officially declared myself as an art major with an emphasis in graphic design. Still clueless on what I actually wanted to do with my degree, but I decided to trek on and figure that out with time. And sure enough, my love of branding and website presented itself which leads me to…

Palme Design Co. Is Born

But how did I start Palme Design Co? Well… it was kind of an accident! I knew I had a passion for designing websites specifically, but at the time I was still in college. I had just started a new job as a designer for a local marketing agency which is where I really discovered my passion for websites and branding. The summer before my senior year, a photographer and fellow classmate, messaged me wondering if I could create a website for her on a platform I had never heard of (Showit). I was beyond excited and eagerly accepted.

She was so happy with the end result of her site and posted about her new site in a few FB photography groups. Over the next few days, I booked 10+ new clients all over instagram DMs and emails and thus Palme Design Co. (Kara By Design at the time) was born! I was officially starting my business in a matter of days. I was so excited but also really nervous, wondering if I could really do something as ambitious as run my own business, especially in a way that would help provide for my family.

Just a few months after starting my business, I graduated college (the year was 2020) I decided it was time to quit my job and dive full time into my business. It was the most nerve wracking week of my life. I really felt like I made the biggest mistake ever, but boy was I wrong. In 2021 I doubled what I had been making at my job as just one indicator that it was the right decision for me.

Fast Forward To Today

But beyond just the money (and more importantly) I’ve loved the ability to work with people that truly inspire me and who genuinely feel like friends during the entire process! I also love being able to work from home and the flexibility that comes with running your own biz.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all butterflies but nothing ever is. I feel so grateful every day to get to do what I do! I’m not sure what the future of PDC has in store, but I’m sure enjoying the ride and feel grateful for where I started. I think kid Kara designing those little silly designs on Word would be proud of where I am now and Palme Design Co.

But that’s enough about me… how did you get started in your business? What lights you up about it? Drop me a comment below!