Meet Blossom, a multifaceted talent balancing a full-time career in advertising with her thriving part-time venture, Jade Agard Design. From her early morning routines to her creative inspirations, we'll follow her on a journey through the worlds of design, business, and self-care.
From her full-time gig to running Jade Agard Design part-time, her life is a testament to ambition and sustainability. Join us as we step into her day and discover how she seamlessly manages her career, her brand, and her passion for sustainability.
Day in the Life
Conquering Morning Traffic
6:30 AM - Blossom rises early to prepare for her day, beating the morning traffic.
Morning Fuel
8:00 AM - Breakfast and supplements kickstart her workday.
Full-time Designer
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM - At her full-time job, Blossom designs advertising campaigns across various platforms.
Relaxing Evening Interlude
5:30 PM - After a brief relaxation session, dinner is served.
Designpreneur Mode
7:30 PM: - The evening is dedicated to her business, Jade Agard Design.
Gym Time
9:30 PM - Blossom hits the gym.
Evening Rituals
10:30 PM - Post-workout shower and bedtime.
The Brand
The mission of my brand, Jade Agard Design, is to promote the growth of health and wellness brands in a sustainable manner through strategic, eco-friendly branding.
For every project, a portion of the profit will be donated to One Tree Planted, a non-profit organisation focused on global reforestation. I believe that creativity and strategy, combined with a commitment to sustainability, can help craft brand identities that not only stand out but also contribute to a better world.
On Starting Her Brand
From a young age, I’d always loved art, so it was natural that I would go into something in that field. While my initial career aspirations took a different path, I ultimately discovered my love for design during my studies in visual communications design. As I gained experience in the field, my appreciation for graphic design grew, and I started freelancing.
When the pandemic hit, just like everyone else, I had more time on my hands. I started to take my business more seriously, and it started taking off. At first, I was taking on any client, but after working with a few health and wellness brands, I realised that those were the types of brands I love to work with.
Setting and Prioritising Career Goals
In my career, setting and prioritising goals has been a game-changer for me. Usually, I’ll write down all the goals I want to achieve that year. Then I’ll look at them and break them up into 3-month goals and then into 1-month goals. That way, you won’t get overwhelmed with a mountain of goals. At the start of every month, I’ll look at my goal for that month and plan out what tasks I need to complete that month to achieve them.
This approach is something I started doing back in high school when I had to juggle a demanding workload. With seven subjects, final exams, personal goals, and extracurricular activities, I needed a plan to stay on top of everything. That's when I developed this method, and it has stuck with me ever since.
This method helped me immensely, and it stuck with me throughout the years. I must mention, though, that not every month will work out. It’s okay if you didn’t hit a goal that month. You have many more months to hit it. Just keep going. The key is to keep going, stay adaptable, and remember that achieving your goals is a journey, not a race.
Dream Collaboration
My dream project or collaboration would be with a brand that places a high emphasis on sustainability and the well-being of its customers. To me, these two aspects are incredibly important. We've all witnessed how our environment is changing, and 2023 has made it clearer than ever how pressing the issue of climate change is. Brands have the power to make a significant impact and encourage their audience to think about sustainability first. Additionally, health and self-care are personal priorities for me. I believe it's essential for people to take care of themselves, and I'd love to work with a brand that is equally mindful of this.
Weekend Detox
I make a conscious effort to disconnect from work on weekends and holidays. During these times, I run errands, spend time with family, do chores, and practise self-care.
I deliberately avoid checking my business emails or getting on my laptop. It's about creating a clear boundary between work and personal time. This break from the digital world gives me time to enjoy the things I love outside of my profession.
Style in Three Words
Describing my personal style in three words, I'd say it's classy, trendy, and expensive.
Sustainable Fashion
I don’t throw away my clothes. Even if they no longer fit or if I'm changing my style, I usually give them away instead. This stems from my upbringing, when I didn't have many clothes. I'd wear the same pieces for years if they still fit, finding new ways to style them. Even now, when I can afford to refresh my wardrobe frequently, I adhere to this philosophy.
When I shop, I prioritise 'basics', pieces that are versatile and can be mixed and matched with various outfits. Accessories, like jewellery, shoes, and bags, play a pivotal role in enhancing an outfit. They can transform a simple T-shirt and jeans into a chic ensemble, especially when you swap sneakers for heels.
Wardrobe Organisation
To stay organised with my wardrobe, I sort my clothes not by type or season but by usage. I have categories for work clothes, outfits for going out, and cosy lounge clothes. This makes it easy for me to find what I need without rummaging through my entire closet.
Colour Psychology in Fashion
I also incorporate colour psychology into my wardrobe. Colours like blue, yellow, and purple are my go-to when I want to exude qualities like intelligence, reliability, confidence, and approachability. These colours are great, especially in a workplace where I might be the youngest and don't want to appear inexperienced. To balance these vibrant shades, I pair them with neutral colours like black, brown, white, and grey. This approach extends beyond work attire and influences my choices when I'm running errands or enjoying my leisure time.
Sources of Inspiration
Pinterest is often my starting point—where I gather images, colours, fonts, and textures that align with the brand's overall vibe. It's like my virtual vision board, where ideas start to take shape.
Behance is another valuable resource for me. The quality of work on this platform is great, and it challenges me to think innovatively and consider fresh approaches to design challenges.
Impactful Podcast
One podcast that has had a significant impact on my life is 'The Jay Shetty Podcast' on YouTube. These podcasts are quite long, which makes them perfect for listening to while I'm working on a project or doing household chores. I find that I often learn something new and relate to many of the guests on the show.
A recent episode with Lori Gottlieb really struck a chord with me. It made me take a deep dive into my past and understand how certain childhood experiences have shaped me, including my social anxiety. It turned out that my early reticence to speak and anxiety about being perceived as boring or uninteresting by others were rooted in how my grandmother used to tell me to "shut up" when I spoke as a child. This realisation prompted me to open up to my mother about my feelings and experiences, a crucial step in my journey to personal growth and healing.
Self-Care Ritual
In terms of setting and achieving personal goals, my focus largely centres on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This involves hitting my fitness goals, eating cleanly without unnecessary deprivation, and ensuring I take my supplements regularly.
I think journaling is a great tool, and I used to do that for years as a teen to help me process my thoughts and feelings. It’s something I want to start doing again.
Therapy is something I would love to try, but it’s not easily accessible for me. I encourage everyone to try it.
I love to have a self-care Sunday. I’d basically create an at-home spa and pamper myself. It helps me to relax and really take care of myself.
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