Meet Lynsey Owens | Brand Strategist & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lynsey Owens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lynsey, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
In my 20s, I poured a lot of my time and myself into my work. I was eager to bring new ideas to life for my clients, which was fueled by the ever-so-present “hustle” culture and my desire to prove myself as a young designer. I spent countless late nights at the office working on projects for clients who didn’t respect my boundaries (read: I obviously kept making myself available so I had no boundaries for them to respect, ha!)

Once I started managing a team of designers, I saw the same behaviors manifesting in my team that I knew were not healthy or a sustainable way to work. I realized in advocating for clear boundaries for my team, I too needed to re-examine my relationship with work and how it fits into my life.

Fast forward to my mid-30s, I wish I could sit down to chat with my younger self to let her know that having boundaries won’t crush her hustle in the slightest.

As an entrepreneur and new mom, work-life balance now feels more like work-life integration. I no longer work late nights or weekends, and I am charging more for my time so that I can take on less work but create a more meaningful impact in the work that I say yes to. I absolutely love what I do, but now I have a healthier relationship with my work that puts life in the drivers seat and work in the passenger seat.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I love helping businesses create a brand that attracts their dream client and best conveys the amazing work that they bring to the world. Most days I can be found digging into a brand discovery to help clients with their core messaging, sketching out logo concepts, laying out print or digital marketing materials, and building Squarespace websites.

I spent the first several years of my career honing my craft – developing a thorough process that serves my clients well no matter what industry they are in. Having a process in place allows me to focus on what’s most important – doing good work for good people.

My journey of entrepreneurship has had many seasons of growth and scarcity, overwhelm, and confidence. I’m grateful to have access to educational resources and familial support systems that not everyone has, so it’s important for me to recognize the privilege that those both afford me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Anytime I have guests in from out of town, these are my favorite spots to enjoy!

Niko Niko’s in Montrose
El Tiempo Cantina
Goode Co. Seafood
Local Foods on Yale
Mala Sichuan, Thaicoon, and Lava Coffee in Katy Asian Town
Late-night dessert at House of Pies

The Menil
McGovern Centennial Gardens
Alamo Draft House
Shopping on 19th Street
Rothko Chapel

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My best friend and husband, Ryan, has been my number-one hype person and support throughout my professional career. He’s always encouraged me to pursue my own path in entrepreneurship even when we had no map along the way. He’s helped me navigate leaving a design agency, navigating a business partnership, and ultimately striking out on my own in 2015. Through seasons of burnout and feeling overwhelmed to times of immense creative joy, he’s been the person I can count on to listen to me vent and help me refocus when I’ve lost sight of my own capabilities.

Website: lynseycreative.com

Instagram: @lynseycreative