Meet Kristin Weber | Owner/Graphic Designer

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

Hi Kristin, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When you start your own business after working for a big company you have no work life balance. You take all the work you possibly can and you do it…all hours of the day and night. There is something very intense and beautiful about that kind of hard work especially because you know that has direct returns. Finding the balance takes time, a couple years before you are able to manage your time better, possibly learn to say no to the wrong type of clients, and feel confident that more work will always be around the corner.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have a Bachelors’ of Fine Art in Graphic Communications from Washington Universtiy in St. Louis. I always new that I would be a graphic designer. My dad is an architect, my mom is a painter and my best friend’s mom was a graphic designer. So I applied specifically to Wash U because I could get a great design education and play sports. See how that sports and design thing started early! I think what sets me apart is twofold. I am a good designer, creative, artistic, have a good eye, but I am also a very good business person. Professional, on-time with my work, organized and these two sides of my self play well to run a freelance business.
Nothing worth having is ever easy. So no it has not always been easy, but now I get to enjoy the rewards of long hours, lots of networking and development of my craft. The biggest lessoned learned is that, work hard, collaborate when you can for the best result and be your own best advocate.
What do I want people to know about me? My brand, a single 23 year long career as a freelance designer has given me the greatest freedom to raise my 3 kids; a bunch of amazing longterm loyal clients; and a sense of self worth. Working hard at something to be a single mom is worth the blood, sweat and tears.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My Best Friend Ashley is coming to town. First we would go soak up some fresh air, a hike up the back side of Sanitas, then I might take cruiser bikes for a drink at the Rayback and then go downtown for Sushi. I love the vibe in License No.1 below, very speak easy, but you can’t beat the views on the deck of a few of the downtown Boulder bars. If she was staying for a week, I would hit the mountains, Aspen or Steamboat, for some more Colorado perfection, Ranchy vibes with lots of nature. We computer people need to get away from the monitors!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would have to say, and this is probably a bit of a surprise, but my cycling community. I recently did a career client assessment of all the clients I have had over the last 23 years of my Freelance business, 75% were connected directly or indirectly to the cycling industry, to the group rides I go on, to friendships made on the bike and to the loyal community of Cyclists in Boulder.

Website: www.sugardesign.com

Instagram: @weberkristin

Image Credits
Brent Murphy (just for the cycling one)