Then, as children do, I grew up and went off to college. I started off as an honors biochemistry major, but after a year, switched to Visual Communications with a concentration in graphic design. VC as we called it, was a highly competitive major, the program started with 60+ students and after two rounds of cuts, only 25 made it to senior year and graduated. Along the way I had an amazing opportunity to study abroad in London for a summer and eventually I graduated and made my way into the real world.
A few years later, in 2007, Moya Lara was founded! I had already been doing a little bit of freelance work on the side, and a few friends had asked me to help them with wedding invitations. More friends were getting married, which led to more wedding invitations and soon I even had clients who weren't people I knew personally, which was a really exciting breakthrough!
Wedding invitations, (really fancy over the top embellished wedding invitations to be exact), that's my niche! Over the years I've worked with the most amazing brides, with wedding destinations both near and far. Quite a few Disney brides, too! And obviously I designed my own invitations, which were voted best invitation design on Magical Day Weddings (Formally the Disney Wedding Blog) in 2009.
As the wedding season of my own life transitioned into the baby and children season, I expanded my designs to include stationery for all ages. Most recently I launched a whimsical line of coloring cards and I continue to offer custom and personalized stationery of all varieties!
Beyond stationery, my freelance design services have included design work for many local businesses. One of my biggest clients has been Talbot County Department of Parks and Recreation, for whom I created their logo and editorial design for a quarterly magazine for several years. In addition, I've also worked with many local "momprenuers" like myself! I am happy to volunteer my design time to several local non-profit organizations including the Chesapeake Moms Club, Talbot Figure Skating Team and St. Christopher's Church and Preschool.
Looking back at the years that have led me to where I am today, I feel like I have come full circle from that little girl making cards with rubber stamps. (At least now I have a heat gun, so I don't need to bake my cards in the oven!) I feel very blessed to have taken such an inspired path and I'm excited to see what the future has in store my little design studio! Here's to 10 years in business and a brand new year of creativity ahead!
