— HI, I’M
MICHELLE!

A graphic designer and marketer who helps youth empowering brands discover their greatest area of influence and find authentic connections in the midst of wild unknowns so that they can do what they were designed to do.

CAN WE TALK ABOUT TEENAGE LIFE REAL QUICK?
I MEAN YIKES! 🤪

As a volunteer or leader in youth ministry, you are pretty much in it 24/7. Just because they aren’t in the building doesn’t mean you aren’t hustling to connect with them the rest of the week. That hustle is the real deal folks!!

Maybe you’re the parent of a teenager, you might be here looking for a little extra encouragement or some practical insight on how to engage with your kids and learn more about the challenges they are facing. Let me just say I am so glad you are here and please let me know how I can help!! Seriously, email me. No matter who you are, we all got stories about that teenage life. Even if you had a great experience growing up, I am sure you still experienced growing pains. We’ve all been there, done that and some of us really don’t want to go back. If you have a moment I’d love to share a bit about my story and why I do what I do if it’s ok with you. Yea? Ok great!

Life as a teenager was rough. At the age of 13, I felt that I needed to give up my faith in God so that I could have friendships. I had been raised in the church and had a strong faith foundation but during my years in junior high and high school, I tried to do whatever I could to fit in and feel like I was accepted.

The values and views I was raised on were disrupted through situations like the threat of my parents divorcing, my dad's deployment and health issues, teasing/bullying at school, watching my friends deal with unimaginable pain, and a lack of a strong youth group to lean on. By the way, no knock on my youth pastor, that guy’s example is a big reason I’ve been committed to youth ministry. You can read more about that guy later! – Hi Bob! :)

You see, I felt that God was the answer but didn’t believe that faith in Him worked. I found myself dropping out during my senior year when my dad was medically discharged from the military and we moved from Alaska to Arizona. Almost goes without saying, I found myself sinking into depression with no vision of what to do with my life. Due to being so consumed with just trying to make it through the day, having a long-term plan for what life would look like didn’t even cross my mind. Sometimes growing up in the church you just kinda think “Oh, I am going to grow up, get married, and be a mom. Maybe I’ll have a job, but not sure.”

After moving and finding myself in a new city with no friends, let alone Christian friends to offer any kind of encouragement, I struggled for what seemed like forever until I was offered a job at a print shop where my uncle worked. With what seemed like a light at the end of the tunnel, I tested for my GED, passed, and enrolled in an arts school to get my Associates Degree in Visual Communications. I had always done art and a degree in graphic design just made sense to me.

While in college, I plugged myself into a group at my church and was able to attend a conference where Francis Chan spoke. I found myself leaving with so much hope, vision, a renewed purpose, and finally felt like I had some kind of real direction for my faith. I felt that I had something to give but wasn't quite sure of what it was yet. Ministry had always been something that seemed to be in my bones. Something that I felt called to, even as a young eight-year-old kid.

A few years after college, a friend encouraged me to get involved with our church’s youth group, and ever since, I have attempted to offer whatever I have to build up the next generation either through volunteering or vocational ministry. My hope has always been to be a source of encouragement, stability, and grace for others, even in the midst of my own brokenness.

In 2011, I was asked by leaders within my church to attend a Spiritual Formation Training cohort to become a Biblical Life Coach. A mentoring and discipleship program created to help Christians gain unique insight into their God-given personality, strengths, and gifting to help them clarify an understanding of their story and significant role in life. It offered scriptural application and insight on how we all have designed roles to show up as the body of Christ. It was seriously life-changing for me and helped me see the concept of identity from a holistic Christ-centered view. It showed me potential through the light of scripture and story.

Prior to working for the local church during my time as a volunteer, I worked for various companies such as an insurance brokerage, a small start-up marketing group, and large corporations within their marketing and creative departments. Now ten years later, with years of combined industry and ministry experience, I've worked my way up from a large print house to design teams of internationally known brands. Brands that I thought, "Wow! Is this real life?!" I’ve worked with youth leaders and churches to build brand identities and develop marketing plans to digitally reach the Church and those within its community. I’ve witnessed many students move on to become thriving adults as pastors, entrepreneurs, caretakers, leaders, and parents.

Because I love what I do, losing my eyesight and gaining carpal tunnel syndrome from obsessing over a computer or running up a seriously large coffee bill from meet-ups are concerns that I count as worth it!!! I am never not dreaming of building others up, reaching students and their families, or solving communication and design challenges. Design school ended up being a creative solution for me and God had a plan all along. If there is anything I’ve learned, it’s that God equips the called! Even though we may not have the accolades or knowledge to get the job done on our own, He is faithful to provide just exactly what we need for the moment.

Thanks for taking a moment to read a bit about my story. Now you can see why helping people build strategies to reach the youth of today is important to me; it is because it’s personal. It’s work that we are all designed for. It’s a call to relationship.

If we take what we know about scripture and pair it with marketing and design principles it helps us show up in spaces we may have never thought we’d find ourselves. My hope is that the services and resources you find here will help bring you peace of mind on your path to doing what you were designed to do.

Because I guarantee, God has a plan beyond what any of us can imagine or hope for and the next generation needs what you have to offer!

If you’re a ministry leader or non-profit that needs extra assistance with your social media strategy or a custom website, check out my services. I’d love to help you define your brand message and make a greater impact by extending your reach beyond the weekend. Youth and parents – I have stuff for you too! It’s coming!!