Patricia Johnson
Creative Director / Marketing Consultant of Cultivation Creative
Boston, MA
Q What do you do?
“I help service-based, community-driven brands and entrepreneurs build an online presence.”
Specifically I design custom Squarespace websites; provide social media strategy & training; and write, photograph, and design digital content — all with the goal of helping clients connect more easily and authentically with their audience. Oh, and I also teach yoga!
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
It's been quite a long, meandering road! As a kid growing up in the 90s I was obsessed with the internet; I made virtual friends around the world and taught myself to code so I could design my own websites. Some years later I graduated college with a degree in Communications and began a career in digital marketing, eventually focusing on social media. I enjoyed the strategic & relationship-building nature of this work but missed independently exploring my creativity, so in 2020 I launched my own marketing & design business called Cultivation Creative. Now I feel more empowered to be creative on my own terms — I'm expanding those website design skills I learned as a kid and combining them with my marketing expertise to offer my best skills to my clients as a holistic experience.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
By being my authentic self! The marketing & design world is oversaturated with so many extremely talented people, and especially on social media it's difficult not to play the comparison game. But there is only one person with *my* unique perspective, so I try to be authentically myself in everything that I present to the world through my work. This is the same advice I give to my clients! When you're authentic, your message will resonate more naturally with your target audience.
Q What are you working on right now?
Building my business to full time and expanding my skill sets as much as possible. I've been loving diving back into website design so over the past year I've taken several online courses (including through ilovecreatives!) so I can offer better value to my clients... and produce some really dope websites. I would also like to teach more — I love helping people, so I'm looking for ways to bring my social media trainings to a wider audience.
Q What’s your style?
I love big, bold colors and websites that are playful and fun. Working with bright colors & doodles is the most inspiring to me! My most recent project that really got my creative juices flowing was for Yoga Playground — I'm so proud of this one! You can also see my aesthetic on my website.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Right now, design. I love marketing & connecting with people through virtual platforms, but ultimately design is just the most fun. When I get into a flow state with design I just feel like I'm playing — I blast music and get really excited when a design just clicks.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
It's funny that I'm a marketer by training but marketing my own business still falls at the bottom of my to-do list. I love connecting with people and building relationships, but sales is not my favorite.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Upgrade my bookkeeping or automate some of my admin tasks. You know, those little things that always take up so much more time than you think!
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I don't regret any of my career choices because they brought me where I am today. But — as a fresh college grad I think I was too focused on doing what I thought I *should* do for my career instead of exploring what I found interesting and fun. I wonder if I may have had more opportunity for creativity — and therefore a more fulfilling work experience.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Running your own business is NO joke, y'all! I've had to figure out a lot of this stuff on my own by trial & error, but what I've found *most* helpful is connecting with other entrepreneurs and listening to their best advice. So I would love to chat with other perhaps more seasoned entrepreneurs and take whatever morsels of advice they may offer.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I'm interested in working with brands & entrepreneurs who are seeking beautiful design & more authentic connection in their marketing. I offer website design + social media strategy packages as well as individual & team social media trainings.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I love working with people who are passionate about what they do and are excited to make a positive impact — because that's how I feel, too! I love when the design process is collaborative, and where we're both excited about and invested in a positive outcome.
Q What is your rate?
My hourly rates range from $90-125 for social media & design contract work. For one-off consulting sessions I charge $250-400 per hour depending on the client and the agenda. My website design packages start at $3k, social media strategy starts at $1.5k. This depends on the level of work that goes into the website (e.g. number of webpages) and the type of client (e.g. solopreneur vs established business). Most website design + social media packages fall somewhere around $4.5-7k.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
As much detail about the project as possible, budget, and desired timeline
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Rache from @squarestylist! I'm in her Standout Squarespace course right now and the course modules plus all of her one-on-one troubleshooting support has helped me increase the value I can deliver to my clients via custom coding in astronomical ways.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Find inspiration, learn something new, play without expectations
This member profile was originally published in April 2021, Updated February 2024