From managing corporate events to freelancing as a brand designer, here’s what I’ve learned about creativity, clients, burnout, and building a purposeful career.
If you’d told me a decade ago that I’d juggle 7 years in corporate events, 5 years freelancing as a brand designer, a year in advertising (yes, I survived that madness), and pick up two Master’s degrees along the way, I’d probably have laughed — and then nervously opened another spreadsheet.
But here I am. And looking back, I’ve learned a lot more than just how to design a great logo or run a flawless event. I’ve learned what it means to balance creativity with clarity, art with action, and dreams with deadlines.
Here’s what the last decade of creative chaos, late nights, client calls, and breakthrough moments has taught me — the real stuff no one puts on LinkedIn.
Let’s start with those Master’s degrees. Did they make me creative? Not exactly. But they gave me frameworks, discipline, and the ability to articulate my ideas better.
Education gave me the language of design, strategy, and structure — and that made me a better communicator. Clients don’t just want pretty; they want purpose. And knowing how to pitch, defend, and evolve an idea with confidence? That’s gold.
Would I have survived without the degrees? Probably. But would I be as sharp, strategic, or multi-dimensional? Probably not.
Lesson: Talent opens the door. Training teaches you how to stay in the room.
Nothing — and I mean nothing — prepares you for creative problem-solving like live events.
You’re managing people, timelines, expectations, emotions, tech fails, design deliverables, last-minute changes (oh hey, again), and still expected to smile through it all.
It taught me how to:
Think fast and act faster
Lead teams under pressure
Manage complex logistics with creative flair
Deal with clients who have absolutely no chill
Events taught me grace under fire. And trust me, when you can stay calm during a VIP entrance that’s running 45 minutes late, you can handle anything a client throws at you.
Lesson: Creativity means nothing without adaptability.
When I stepped into freelancing, I thought: “Finally! Full creative freedom.”
What I didn’t know was that “freedom” came with a side of project management, invoicing, pitching, following up, dealing with ghosting, setting boundaries, chasing payments, and learning how to say no without burning bridges.
Freelancing made me level up fast — not just creatively, but personally. It taught me self-worth. It taught me time management. And it taught me that if you’re not clear on your value, clients will set it for you.
I became a better designer, but more importantly, I became a better businesswoman.
Lesson: You don’t have to do everything — but you need to understand everything.
No matter where you work — agency, freelance, or in-house — the best work always comes when the client trusts your process.
When they see you not just as a doer, but as a partner. A thinker. A collaborator.
I’ve had projects where I was micromanaged to the pixel, and others where clients gave me room to breathe and own the creative process. Guess which ones turned out better?
Trust isn’t automatic — you have to earn it. Through clarity, confidence, and communication.
Lesson: Be the expert your client needs, not just the executor they expect.
There was a point where I was doing everything — designing, directing, managing, replying to emails at midnight, and still smiling through meetings.
From the outside? I looked successful. Inside? I was running on fumes.
It took me a while to realise that rest is part of the process. That creative energy needs space. That just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Now I protect my energy. I build buffer time. I say no to projects that don’t align. I no longer wear exhaustion as a badge of honour.
Lesson: You can’t create from an empty tank.
I used to think systems would box me in. Now I know they set me free.
From project timelines to client onboarding docs, content calendars to creative briefs — having structure means I can focus on the work that actually matters.
Systems allow me to scale, stay sane, and serve clients better. Whether I’m running a solo design sprint or managing a full-blown corporate event.
Lesson: Creative flow is easier when the chaos has a container.
Yes, trends shift. Yes, platforms change. But one thing stays consistent: people.
Every opportunity I’ve had — every game-changing project or client — came through a real relationship. Not cold DMs or clever hashtags.
Nurturing those relationships, staying in touch, being kind, showing up with integrity — that’s what builds a sustainable career. Not just a viral moment.
Lesson: Your network is your net worth — treat it with care.
Ten years ago, I thought being a “creative” was all about making beautiful things.
Now? I know it’s about creating experiences, solving problems, leading with intention, and building something real for yourself and others.
So whether you’re just starting out or knee-deep in the chaos of design life, know this:
Every project teaches you. Every path shapes you. And every mess becomes part of the magic.
Here's to doing it all — and doing it with purpose.