We first fell in love with Ella when we stumbled upon her Instagram account and brand new podcast. We’re super envious of her creative designs and soothing voice. This is a gal who knows her stuff!
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to run a creative business with enough freedom to literally pack your life up into a van and hit the road for a while, you’re going to want to read on… As fellow #vanlife lovers, we just had to know more about this little biz babe!
Here we talk all things hand lettering, running a creative business and adventures.
Tell us a little bit about your business, You’re My Type…
“You’re My Type is a hand lettering business. My mission has always been to inspire people and I believe that through our social media, creating hand lettered quotes, educating others through the podcast, offering 1:1 business coaching and creating custom branding for clients, we have been able to do just that!”
What has inspired you to choose this career path?
“I saw a girl on Instagram who would post her lettering on coffee cups, in cafes and in front of nature scenes that she had travelled to. At the time I was a barista working in a café and completely over working in hospitality. I wanted to find something that got me excited to wake up in the morning – something that gave me purpose.
I was always good at art in school so I gave lettering a try because I was inspired to see if I could do it.
From there I started posting on my personal social media account until people started asking me to work with them.”
Describe a highlight for you during your career…
“One of the highlights of my career so far has been working with MYER at the Brisbane Queen Street Mall store creating hand lettered cards and quotes for their customers. This was definitely a pinch me moment and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with such incredible companies!”
What do you find most challenging about running your own business?
“Self-development. When I went into business, I thought that it was all about spreadsheets, money and being on the computer. While this is true I wasn’t prepared for how much my business would develop me! For example, I forgave my dad this year (who Ella hadn’t seen for 10 years as he left when she was young) because I started to educate myself and I finally had the space to deal with things.
I also learnt how to charge clients what I was worth and build up my confidence through hiring coaches. I have read more books than I ever have and listened to heaps of podcasts. Now I am addicted to educating and developing myself, which is cool.”
Aaand the most fun?
“The most fun is being able to have the freedom to work from wherever I want, dictate what my days will look like and help others build their dreams through coaching.”
If you could describe your business in three words, what would they be?
“Inspiring, creative and educational.”
What do you get up to in your spare time?
“On my days off [my partner and I] will mostly drive to a beach or a waterfall and spend the day in coffee shops. Being in nature resets me and makes me feel alive. I usually like to read, watch a netflix documentary, get lost in a bookstore or lay in the sun on the beach.”
What makes your work beneficial for business owners?
“I have just added another aspect to You’re My Type which includes business coaching for small businesses – I’m so excited! This is something I am so passionate about because it has always been in my heart to help others on a journey that I have personally travelled along, too.
It can be daunting starting your own business and for a lot of people it’s difficult to know how to generate consistent income, overcome self doubt and move forward successfully.
I love helping others fulfil their goals and see them succeed. It makes me smile really big!”
What do you love most about having your own business?
“I love the freedom that it brings. It was hard at first transitioning from a 9-5 to being my own boss, but I have finally begun understanding how different those two worlds are.
I love not being under bad leadership anymore and the fact that it’s so much easier to live a life I really want to live. I am literally in control of how I want my life to look now and that’s an opportunity that I don’t take for granted. It pushes me to be better every day. I also love that I can make more money than a 9-5 job because when you are your own boss you set the limits.”
Anything we should keep an eye out for?
“I’m going on a tour in March around Australia in a self converted campervan teaching lettering workshops along the way. I cannot wait for it!”
Check out more of Ella’s work in her website, scroll for days on You’re My Type’s Instagram and give some love over at Facebook while you’re at it! If you’re lucky, you’ll even snag a spot at an upcoming workshop…
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