Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Capallo.
Julia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I officially registered my creative services business as an LLC in January 2023. Prior to that, I was an art teacher for 10 years at the elementary and middle school levels. I left the classroom following the birth of my second child, with no specific plan for what would come next, but I knew I did not want to continue teaching full-time. The demands of the career made it difficult for me to find balance and flexibility while raising a family. While on maternity leave, I began applying for different remote and hybrid jobs. To my disappointment, I heard back from very few companies, and in the end nothing panned out. Around the same time, I began taking on freelance opportunities including blog writing, social media management, and administrative tasks for small businesses. I enjoyed learning about these businesses and supporting them with content marketing efforts to reach their audiences.
One day, it dawned on me: “What if I started my own business, offering creative services to businesses and organizations who are looking to grow?” The thought of starting my own business both scared and excited me. However, my background in graphic design, written and visual communication, and education provided me with the knowledge and skills to bring my vision to life. Although I had no formal business education at the time, I was motivated to learn the essentials in how to start my own company. I also spoke with other small business owners to find out more about their entrepreneurial journeys.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey of entrepreneurship has had its ups and downs. I have worked with businesses, organizations, and people who align with my values. My work has supported some wonderful individuals who are on a similar path as solopreneurs, seeking growth and/or outsourcing some of the creative marketing tasks. I’ve found it helpful to build a network of professionals who ‘get it’, because we share some of the same experiences.
I have also worked with frustrating clients, some of whom devalued my work, made late payments, gave vague feedback and/or micromanaged projects. With every experience I’ve had as a business owner the past few years, I have learned something new. Some of my not-so-great experiences led to clearer boundaries and expectations, which helped to streamline my process. At one point, I would say yes to any project that came my way. I soon learned that not every project is for me and not everyone will be a good fit as a client, and that’s ok.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about A Marvelous Spark Creative Studio?
Creativity and community are at the heart of my business, A Marvelous Spark. The company name stemmed from the belief that sparks of creativity can be inspired by everyday life. Ideas can develop from our experiences, and they can shape what we do.
I specialize in visual branding and marketing services for local businesses and organizations. What sets me apart from others is my reliability, effective communication skills, and personality. I understand the importance of professional relationships. I strive to build these relationships from a humanistic standpoint, versus strictly transactional, short-term interactions. When I work with new clients, one of my first goals is to learn about their company, values, and story. I want to know what excites them most about their work! My mission is to help business owners build brand awareness and visibility, inspire their audience, and grow their business.
In addition to providing creative services for businesses and organizations, I strive to be a positive leader in my community. I seek opportunities to share my knowledge of art, design, and other forms of creative expression through workshops, classes, webinars, and community events.
Brandwise, I am most proud of bringing authenticity and creativity to the forefront of my work. It’s how I show up in the world not only as a business owner, but in all other areas of my life. A Marvelous Spark as a brand is an extension of myself, my values, and the legacy I hope to leave behind. This is achieved through creative problem-solving, education, and expression.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I am grateful for all of the people who have played roles in my career and business journey so far. First and foremost, I thank my family for their ongoing support: from sharing words of encouragement, to providing childcare, giving referrals, and offering guidance. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without them. I appreciate the people in my professional networks, especially those who share some of their own successes and challenges in business. Hearing from others reminds me that I’m not alone in my experiences, and that there is always more to learn.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amarvelousspark.com/
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/a.marvelous.spark
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aMarvelousSpark/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliacapallo/
Image Credits
Ingrid Berrios Photography
