Meet Roberta Moran | Graphic Design Professional

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

Hi Roberta, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was a Graphic Designer for a publication company for 13 years. During that time (within the first year of working there), I started to freelance for other companies in the evening. I really enjoyed working one-on-one with different clients and bringing their ideas to life. After that, I pretty much knew that I wanted to do this full-time – one day in the future. I met my husband at the publication company, he is also a Graphic Designer. We were married in 2008 and that same year we decided to start our company together: Creative Union Design. But at the time, we were still working full-time and only freelancing in the evenings. In 2013 our twin boys were born and I needed to leave my full-time employer to stay home with them. Within the first 2 months of being home – I seized my opportunity of wanting to take Creative Union Design to the next level. This is when I opened up my Etsy shop so that I could cast a wider net of finding new clients. Over the past 8 years our company has grown so much that Ian and I are both work full-time at Creative Union Design. We have expanded our designs to other platforms like Zazzle, we created a resourceful blog at CreativeUnionDesign.com, as well as creating a bunch of helpful tutorials on our YouTube channel. We now have two Etsy shops: The original shop, Creative Union Design that offers all editable files. And our second shop: Printery Parlor that offers all printed items for weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, rehearsal dinners and other events.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
There is a meme I saw recently that said: “I quit my 9-5 so I could work 24/7” – I feel like this represents my journey so well!

I dreaded my 9-5.
Every Sunday I had so much anxiety about going to a place I didn’t enjoy for a full 40 hours/week.

Compared to now, where I work every single day – every holiday – even on vacation – and I couldn’t be happier! The first thing I do in the morning is check my messages to see if customers have any questions. I work on and off the entire day: early morning until I log off to go to bed at night.

Owning your own business is all about pushing forward. When something doesn’t work, you try something else. You evolve, you pivot, you adjust, you tweak, you fine-tune. There is no auto-pilot. You have to be present, aware and conscious of every move you make – every single day. That is something you will never find at a 9-5.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We live outside of Philadelphia in a town called Phoenixville. Our little town has a lot of fun activities for visitors. On the weekend, they shut down the streets and all the restaurants bring seating outside. I would most likely start here and do a little bar/restaurant tour in my home town. Specifically starting at Bluebird for an amazing cocktail made from their distilled spirits. Then travel down the street and get some appetizers at Bistro on Bridge. Then end up at the Root Down Biergarten for some BBQ and beers.

After that I would take them to some great spots in Philadelphia. There are tons of great pop-up gardens in Philly in the Summer. We would have to visit some tourist spots like the art museum steps (Rocky), Liberty Bell, and City Hall.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband, Ian, who has supported my dream of building this business. He offers encouragement, support, ideas, reality checks and hugs when ever I need them!

Website: https://www.creativeuniondesign.com

Instagram: CreativeUnionDesign

Twitter: CreativeUnionD

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CreativeUnionDesign/videos

Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CreativeUnionDesign Printery Parlor: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrinteryParlor

Image Credits
Please credit the first photo of the invitation set: Chesapeake Charm Photography Please credit the image of the photo props with the three ladies: McCune Photography and Styled by TC. Thank you!