Hello Wednesday! It's time for another installment of When I Grow Up. Today I'm featuring Kali of June Mango. Kali is also in the Being Boss Facebook group (you'll see quite a few of those awesome ladies featured here) and I love her work! I'll let her tell you all about it.

As a child, I wanted to be a ¬______ when I grew up. An oceanographer. I really just wanted to go snorkeling and was proud of myself for being able to pronounce the word oceanographer.

How close (or far) is your current career from that dream? Pretty far! But it was also such a creative dream for a 5 year old, which I think speaks to my creative outlook on life and work in general. All you have to do is dream it!

What is your official job title? #Bossbabe of Many Hats. Or, for email signature purposes, Owner and Designer at June Mango Design Boutique.

Ok, now what does that really mean? I run a graphic and web design business where I specialize in creatively cultivating businesses and blogs through clean, colorful and modern design. I spend my days with inspired ladies helping them with brand styling, web design and marketing. I also dip my toe in the wedding industry waters with wedding branding and stationery design at the sister company to June Mango, June Mango Weddings.

What is a typical day like? My days all start out the same with a cup of coffee from my coveted French Press, a quick shot of the Today Show and perhaps a run around my 'hood. Then I get to work, which changes depending on the projects I have bubbling. Sometimes it's branding research and creating a moodboard, and sometimes it's designing a custom website. I love getting to flex different creative muscles with different client types and projects.

How did you end up in this career? I've always been "artsy". In high school, I took AP Art while my friends were in AP Calc and Physics. I've also always been really good at reading people. It helps me interpret their ideas and turn them into concrete design solutions.

What kind of education or training did you complete for this career? I majored in Fine Arts, which actually gives me a fabulous toolbox of resources to turn to besides the computer. I've always been a great illustrator and love to paint. I think many graphic designers forget how powerful a pencil can be.

What advice would you give to someone who wants a similar career? Ira Glass has the greatest piece of advice I've ever heard for aspiring creatives. He says all creatives have great taste. It's what makes you want to be a creative. In the beginning, you're work isn't as good as you want it to be because you may not have yet acquired the skills to match your taste. BUT DON'T GIVE UP! This is normal, and it has happened to every single creative you admire. The biggest, most important piece of advice is to just keep creating.

Do you have any other career dreams? What do you want to be when you grow up? I have so many dreams. There so many creative woman I would like to work with. So many bloggers, florists, make-up artists, vegan apparel designers...guh! The list goes on. I would also love to do the full-design-shebang for a brewery (branding, packaging, web design, etc). And if there was free beer involved, that would be ok, too. :)

Any last thoughts or encouragement for others trying to decide what they want to do “when they grow up”? You can. Period.

Thank you so much Kali for sharing your story. If you'd like to learn more about Kalli, you can find her on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Or you can visit her website to hire her!

Previously on Mrs Robbins Sparkles...

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