Turning Passion into a Thriving Creative Business with Alanna Flowers

In this episode of Open Studio, I sit down with Alanna Flowers, a lettering artist, designer, and founder of AGF Design Studio. Her expressive lettering has been featured by Adobe, The Los Angeles Times, and American Greetings, and she is also the illustrator of the board book Love Letters: An Alphabet of Affirmations.

Alanna shares how she built her career from the ground up, using outreach, social media, and smart business strategies to land high-profile projects. If you're an aspiring lettering artist, designer, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.


Key Takeaways from My Conversation with Alanna Flowers

1. How Alanna Got Started in Lettering

Alanna didn’t begin her creative journey with lettering—her path evolved over time. She shares how she discovered her passion for letterforms and what led her to pursue it professionally.

2. Landing Big Clients Through Smart Outreach

One of Alanna’s first major freelance projects came from something as simple as leaving an Instagram comment! She explains how being intentional about networking and outreach led to opportunities with big brands like American Greetings.

3. The Role of Social Media in Growing Her Business

With an active presence on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, Alanna uses social media to showcase her work, connect with her audience, and attract clients. She shares tips on how creatives can use digital platforms to build a sustainable business.

4. Balancing Client Work, Education, and Personal Projects

Beyond client work, Alanna teaches lettering through her Domestika course and shares valuable knowledge with fellow creatives. We talk about how she balances these different aspects of her career and why diversifying income streams is crucial for creative entrepreneurs.

5. Business Insights for Lettering Artists

Success in the lettering industry isn’t just about being great at drawing letters—it’s about understanding the business side of things. Alanna offers insights into pricing, contracts, and mindset shifts that helped her transition from hobbyist to full-time lettering artist.


Resources & Links

Little Bee Books

Follow Alanna Flowers:

Instagram

Newsletter

YouTube

Bluesky

TikTok

Enroll in Alanna’s Domestika Course:

Expressive Lettering of Inspirational Quotes in Adobe Fresco

Buy Love Letters: An Alphabet of Affirmations

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To access the full show notes for this episode, click here: ⁠⁠⁠https://martinaflor.com/podcast


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