Meet Carly Kewley | Brand Designer and CEO

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

Hi Carly, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It sorta just formed on its own in a natural progression. My first business/step into entrepreneurship was called ArtByCarly, which is where I sold my original artworks. Then Is tarted to add graphic and brand design to those services as well as photography. It quickly turned into a multi passionate gig which then also turned into an overwhelming burn tf out gig because I was trying to do all the things.

At one point while I was employed with Better Homes and Gardens Kansas City Real Estate, my husband (then boyfriend) and I moved back to Sioux Falls. I had a really great relationship with the leadership there and they provided a continued working partnership where I got to work from home and basically be subcontract labor for them full-time.

I rebranded ArtByCarly to CK Design to help separate art and photography from my brand design journey, which also started to pick up more clients which also required me to really step into my self employment status, as my current employer was starting to notice 🙂

Now I’m at Hey, Carl! Where I offer fast brand design so my clients can enjoy the good stuff while I take care of the overwhelming DIY design stress which just so happens to be the good stuff for me .

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think just about every designer is an artist in another way or format. I can’t say for certain if it’s something that sets me apart from others with my brand design – but I do approach and treat every brand as a piece of art. As if the client is commissioning me to paint a portrait or custom art piece to hang on their wall to share their story with anyone they invite into their home. Rather than a canvas and paintbrush, I’m using a computer screen and mouse (or any other tool to help ‘paint’).

I really do treat every brand I build/create as a piece of art. It’s more than strategy and logistics and I think that’s why so many of my clients like working with me because I can take what they’re thinking and transform it into a very tangible thing for them.

Technically I’m on my third business, but really I like to think of it as my third pivot. I started out with ArtByCarly, which was doing all the things. Truly. I’d do painting, custom paintings, original artworks, graphic design, websites, photography for wedding, family, senior, boudoir – anything I could get my grubby multi-passionate fingers on I’d try to put it into my business. I’d say it ‘fit’ because it was art.

When I got pregnant with my second daughter I finally came to the realization that I in fact, can not do it all. I split up my ArtByCarly and created CK Design. CK was focused on brand design and ArtByCarly was focused on art and photography. Then I got PPD and was really forced to rethink my priorities in terms of my energy commitment, mind and stress. I had to close up ArtByCarly because it was more than just business, it was passion and I would never forgive myself if I resented painting. So I had to let it go for a while.

There were some additional pieces in there on why I had to let ArtByCarly go, outside of PPD, like getting vestibular neuronitis and having to be in the hospital from extreme vertigo for a couple of days, not being able to drive for months, losing and SD card at a destination wedding (that one hurt real, real bad), and having an SD card go corrupt on another wedding.

The universe was literally telling me to slow the fuck down.

A lot of this translates really well with where I’m at as a brand designer since I work with mostly creative service providers. I can relate with their want to do everything and help guide them to focus on one thing for their brand design, strategy and business.

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?
I’m a little embarrassed to say that since having kids, I’ve definitely become more of a recluse than I used to be. BUT there are some things I’d certainly have us do that would honestly be just as much a treat for me to try out, too. ha! I’d have us visit some of the local coffee shops like the Breaks, hang out at the farmer’s market, ride bikes on the bike trail, take ’em out to the off leash dog park. I know that last one sounds kinda lame, but it’s pretty awesome. It’s huge, has some hiking trails(ish) and just feels like you’re in Sioux Falls. Also dogs. I’d take them to one of my boxing classes if they wanted to tag along, hang out at Fall’s Park and if there’s time, I’d absolutely plan for a full ass day trip to the bad lands.

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?
So many people and communities! Honestly the Sioux Falls small biz community is amazing and full of support. I’m gonna give a very special shout out to my good friend Mariah Brunz, who’s been such a wonderful support in my business journey and personal life. Ashley Wegh has been a solid staple on my biz journey and one who’s always open to hear my crazy ideas 🙂

Website: https://www.hey-carl.com

Instagram: _hey.carl_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heycaarl

Image Credits
Ashley Wegh Photography: https://ashleywegh.com/ (also a client – did her logo and website :))