Soufflés, chicken pot pie, orzo and leeks, lemon rotisserie, pan seared salmon, chocolate chip cookies. The list goes on and on. I grew up surrounded by amazing home-cooked food and the love that seasons it. My mom never ceased to wow my dad’s and my’s taste buds. Though, some days we were afraid to ask, “What’s in it?” she never ceased to amaze us.

My mom is a force to be reckoned with. Straight out of high school she enlisted into Active Duty ARMY and was flown off for basic training by herself, knowing no one. After many years of whole-hearted service, two kids and a marriage (my dad) she retired and went back to school. Culinary school. Up to this point her food was already scrumptious but once she started learning how to chiffonade, caramelize, baste, blanch, sauté and sieve her dinners were the envy of our neighborhood and church.

A family friend even crowned my mom the Baking Goddess.

I loved standing next to her in our kitchen, learning and watching. There was a little glisten in her eyes, a sparkle that told me she loved what she was doing. It was then I wondered if my daughter would ever see that same sparkle in my eyes, and if so, what would I be doing? College was approaching soon but with a summer of heartbreak behind me and only one college application sent out I was nervous. Through many twists and turns I ended up at Liberty University with a major in Graphic Design. Four years later I would be leaving college, headed back to my beloved Charleston with a ring on my finger and butterflies in my stomach.

Joe and I got married on a Sunday morning. April 2, 2017 to be exact. Out on Wadmalaw Island with our closest friends and family. My favorite part of the day (besides getting hitched of course) was the chicken and waffles we served.

After that day we lived humbly and kept applying for jobs. To bring in more money I started designing logos and random things for friends. I didn’t know the first thing about freelancing. All I knew was that we needed money and I had just graduated with a skill that was in high demand. Enter in Share-Worthy Design Course by Spruce Road. Jamie’s course was a life-savor and taught me everything I needed to know to get Elysian Creative Studio off the ground. After that the leads and clients trickled in but I felt like I was missing something – that secret sauce ya know?

At this point in my career and life I had freelanced for major brands like Saucony, Keds, J Jill and some small agencies around the Boston Area. Oh yeah, we moved to New England…I had to google which states where in New England because this southern girl had no idea.

Anyways! I had no real direction and I was onto my Plan D by this point. Que Kelsey of Pinegate Road Academy. I joined Pinegate Road Academy with the hopes of finding direction and from her knowledge and love of puns, I launched White Point Creative. *cue confetti*

Though my zipcode is in the north, my heart will always be longing for Charleston and I wanted my brand to reflect this. To brand myself I had to treat myself like a client. I quickly found out I am a pain-in-the-ass client and much prefer being in the drivers seat which works out well. From endless sketches, desperate texts to my closest design friends Hannah and Amanda and more puns from Kelsey I was able to transform Elysian Creative Studio into White Point Creative. A design agency that specializes in the food and beverage industry through branding, web design and food photography. To learn more about why an oyster was incorporated and the deep connection to Charleston’s roots it has, you can read all about it on my About page!

White Point Creative allowed me to combine the love of cooking and baking inherited to me from my mom and her story. Into my passion for design and photography. Since launching White Point Creative in February of 2019, I can say for the first time my daughter will be able to see that special sparkle in her mother’s eye.

I would love to hear what makes your heart flutter. If it’s food, drinks, or any combination I would love to chat! Even if it’s not, I would still love to chat!

This is not a sales pitch but an honest invitation to talk about what inspires you and to be friends! Leave a comment or contact me directly but answer me this:

What brings a sparkle into your eyes? Are you doing it? What’s stopping you? Can I help?