Today we’d like to introduce you to Sue Hough.
Hi Sue, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I own a graphic design studio that just celebrated 25 years in business, specializing in package, print, and web design. At our core, we create the kind of cool, eye-catching work that makes people stop in their tracks and say, “I’ve got to have that!”
My path here wasn’t linear. I went to school for fashion design, I had big dreams of becoming the next Norma Kamali and jet-setting around the world. Instead, my first job out of college was at a sign company making $4.50 an hour. It was humbling, but it taught me grit. From there, I found the printing industry, learned how to use a Mac (a life-changing moment!), and discovered the world of graphic design.
Fast-forward a few years and I opened my own company. I realized I loved helping people bring their ideas to life and I wanted the freedom to do it my way. Twenty-five years later, I still feel that spark every time we take on a new project.
We work with companies of all sizes across the U.S., especially throughout the tri-state and East Coast regions. But my heart has always belonged to the smaller businesses, the dreamers, the builders, the ones pouring everything they’ve got into their vision. Helping them succeed never gets old. Their wins feel like our wins, because they truly are.
We’re a small team, but mighty. People often assume we’re a much larger firm because of the caliber of work we produce. That’s because my team is exceptionally talented—they’re the magic behind Octavo, and the reason we’ve earned a reputation for creativity, heart, and work that stands out.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Finding the right team members, weathering the mortgage crisis, and surviving Covid definitely added more than a few gray hairs (okay—many). But looking back, those challenges showed me how resilient I really am. I’m incredibly grateful for the family and friends who have supported me through every twist and turn.
What makes it all worth it, though, are my clients. Some of them have been with me since my earliest years in business, and I’m deeply proud of the work we’ve created together. Today, with a strong, talented team beside me, we’re going full speed ahead and we genuinely love seeing what new and exciting project will land on our desks next.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Octavo Designs?
We’re a small graphic design studio specializing in packaging, print, and web design. Our team may be compact, but we’re stacked with talent. Katie and Cory are custom illustrators who can hand-letter, sketch, and bring a level of artistry to our logos, merch, and posters that you just don’t see everywhere. And Seth? He’s our website unicorn, he designs, he develops, and he bridges the gap between creativity and functionality in a way that makes our sites truly stand out.
Lately, we’ve been diving deeper into package design for food and beverage brands. It’s been a blast and yes, we take taste testing very seriously. Purely for research, of course.
We’ve designed for just about every industry you can imagine. No matter who we’re working with, our goal is always the same: help our clients stand out, tell their story, and connect with their audience in meaningful, memorable ways.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Find your tribe. Surround yourself with people who will advocate for you, challenge you, encourage you, and keep you grounded. I’m not the world’s best salesperson, so building a few strong, intentional relationships has been a game-changer. Those connections have helped grow my business in ways that didn’t rely solely on me constantly chasing new leads.
Having other business-minded people in your circle gives you sounding boards who get it, people who understand the frustrations, empathize with the challenges, and offer real, lived-in advice.
Believe in yourself, work hard, and remember to make time for family. You don’t get that time back.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://8vodesigns.com
- Instagram: @octavodesigns
- Facebook: @octavodesigns
