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

Hi Anne, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Committing to being creative outside of my paying work has kept me engaged and happy in my life. For me, that takes the form of daily journaling and sketching, getting really into art projects with my kids, even just thinking creatively about daily tasks and routines. Any time I’ve felt overwhelmed with the mundane responsibilities in life, working to make things around me more beautiful always brings me joy.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I started my career with a big marketing firm, then bounced around in the sports and fashion industries. I’ve always been a people-pleaser, which has its pros and cons. As a creative, I wanted to design things that my clients would love, and oftentimes working in larger firms, the designer doesn’t interact directly with the client.

I really love building relationships with clients, and wanted the chance to work directly with them, not three levels removed which oftentimes creates misunderstandings and unnecessary work. So, fifteen years ago, I decided to start Dawson Design as a small design shop that was all about good client relationships and creative work. From there, I’ve had the privilege to work with natural food brands, fashion lines, authors, photographers and tech companies. My business has always worked best on a referral basis, and I still believe word of mouth is the most powerful tool in finding a good fit. Along the way, I’ve learned that it’s ok to say no when you’re not a good fit for a client.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Person: Sylvia Tawse of The Fresh Ideas group has been an incredible mentor and model for running a business and treating people with kindness and dignity.

Book: The Artists Way by Julia Cameron. This book always reminds me of how powerful it is to be disciplined and dream big.

Website: dawsondesign.us

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annematzke/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-matzke-a6161a3a/

Image Credits
Image credit for headshot: Kirsten Boyer Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.