Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Slate.
Hi Courtney, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always been a creative person, but I don’t think I ever imagined I’d eventually be running my own design studio. I earned my BFA in Graphic Design and spent years working as a designer while slowly building my freelance business on the side. Over time, I realized the work I loved most was helping small business owners take all of the ideas in their heads and turn them into a brand that actually felt like them. I especially loved getting to know the person behind the business and figuring out how to tell their story through branding and web design.
For years I balanced my business alongside a full-time design career, until my corporate role unexpectedly came to an end in 2025. It was scary, but it also gave me the push to really invest in what I had been building. In early 2026, I rebranded as Slate Creative Studio, which felt like a much better reflection of how much the business and I had both grown. Today, I specialize in strategic branding and custom website design, primarily for women-owned small businesses, and I feel really lucky that I get to make a living being creative while helping other people build businesses they’re proud of.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not! I think one of the hardest parts has been learning how to be a designer, business owner, and mom all at the same time. There’s so much that goes into running a creative business beyond actually designing, from finding clients and managing projects to marketing yourself, setting boundaries, and navigating slower seasons. I built my business for years alongside a full-time job, and becoming a mom added a whole new layer to figuring out how to balance work and family. I’m still learning that balance, and I’m not sure there’s ever a point where you completely figure it out!
One of the biggest turning points came when my corporate design role unexpectedly ended in 2025. Losing that stability was scary, especially as a mom with a family depending on me, but it also pushed me to really trust the business I had been building on the side for years. There have been plenty of moments where plans changed, deadlines had to shift because mom life came first, or I questioned what I was doing altogether. But some of those harder seasons have also been the ones that pushed me to grow the most, both personally and as a business owner.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Slate Creative Studio is a brand and web design studio focused on helping small businesses build a visual identity that feels like them and connects with the people they’re trying to reach. I specialize in strategic brand identity and custom website design, but my work can also extend into things like packaging, email design, social graphics, and other pieces that help bring a brand to life. I’d say I’m known for creating brands that feel polished and professional without losing the personality behind the business. I really want my clients to walk away with something that feels uniquely theirs, not something that could have been created for anyone.
What I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built with my clients and how many come back as their businesses grow or send other business owners my way. I think what sets me apart is that I genuinely care about the strategy and the person behind the design just as much as the final product. I’m not interested in chasing every trend or just making something pretty. I want to understand where a business is going, what makes it different, and create something that can grow with it.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The best way to work with me is through Slate Creative Studio! I work with small business owners on everything from full brand identities and custom websites to smaller design projects and ongoing creative support. I also love collaborating with other creatives, photographers, copywriters, developers, and fellow designers when a project calls for it.
You can find more of my work at slatecreativestudio.com or follow along on Instagram at @slatecreativestudio. And honestly, referrals and word of mouth are one of the biggest ways people support my business. Whether it’s sharing my work or sending a small business owner my way, it always means a lot!
Pricing:
- Brand Identity Design: Starting at $2,400
- Custom Website Design: Starting at $3,800
- Brand + Website Design: Starting at $5,800
- Smaller design projects and ongoing creative support: Available based on project needs and scope
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.slatecreativestudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slatecreativestudio
