Meet Alexis Jones: Graphic Designer | Branding Strategist | Yoga and Fitness Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexis Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexis, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It started with wanting to help my friends launch their dream businesses. At the time, I had my BFA in graphic design and was working for a book publishing company that made children’s books. While I was getting to use my creativity there, I always loved building brand identities and all aspects of branding in school. I had studied advertising as a minor for 3 years before switching majors and just felt a calling to help small businesses in that way. We live in a world where generic branding and logo designs are at your fingertips for a cheap price online. My passion lies in helping small businesses build their dream brand — something uniquely theirs that feels aligned with their business and attracts the right kind of consumers for their growth. There is so much passion in partnering with entrepreneurs and small business owners, and I truly enjoy brainstorming with them creatively. I found myself freelancing on the side for a friend’s start up and one thing led to another and eventually was able to build a clientele. As a yoga and fitness instructor and personal trainer as well, I was quickly able to build a clientele niche market by working with those I know from that world. Being able to merge both worlds I love together has been so fulfilling. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career has not been a straight and narrow path. My art has had many transformations over the years. If we go back to the beginning, I loved drawing realistic portraits in high school. Fast forward to college, and I flew to the other side of the spectrum after taking a painting class. I was studying Art History and found myself painting Abstract Expressionist landscapes. To be honest, I was not entirely sure what I wanted to do yet. I majored in Painting and minored in Communications with an emphasis in Advertising for 3 years before I took a break. It was not until after I was married and had my first born that I had the drive I lacked before to focus on a career path. I merged my art and communications credits and finished my BFA in Graphic & Wed Design around the same time I started my fitness instructor journey on the side. It was not easy finishing school while working and also being a mom, however failure was not an option and that was something that fueled me. In hindsight, it all needed to happen this way. Having the knowledge of advertising helps me with branding strategy and having background in more than one art style allows me to create unique brands versus churning out brands that all look the same. Like I mentioned before, anyone has the ability to brand themselves these days with pre-made logos online and sites like Canva (not hating on anyone that uses Canva — it is a great tool). But my passion is to get to know my clients personally, then understand the story and purpose of their brand and help to collaborate on a unique vision that brings it to life. Getting to know my client’s personally is one of my favorite parts of branding!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Nashville is constantly growing but these are some of my favorites + Nashville staples! Brunch: Marche, Pancake Pantry, The Southern, Proper Bagel, Pinewood Social Pizza: 5 points, Slim and Husky’s Things to do: Park hangs at Shelby Park, grab some tea at High Garden, art crawl in Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, catch a movie at The Belcourt Theatre, FRIST art museum, tour Hatch Show Print, shopping in Hillsboro Village, Ayurveda massages at The Lotus Room, yoga at Hola Yoga Studio, and you can’t visit Nashville without witnessing live music on Broadway or catching a Nashville Titans or Nashville Sounds game Favorite Dinner Spots: Barcelona or Two Ten Jack for small plates Going Out: Rosemary & Beauty Queen for drinks and low-key dancing, karaoke at Fran’s or Santa’s Pub, drinks and dancing at Dirty Little Secret, Bar Sovereign, Minerva, The Valentine Late night food: Dino’s

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to say my husband has been a big driving force in my career. We juggle a lot as a family and he always makes sure that my career goals don’t fall through the cracks. His support means the world. I could not go without mentioning my college professor turned mentor and friend, Lisa DiVito. She has always been an inspiration and someone I can go to with any business, design or life questions. I was her first intern after she launched her stationery brand, Tiramisu Paperie, and learned so much about the hard work and drive it takes to start and run your own business. I am very lucky to have a solid support system in my yoga family as well. Especially those I went through teacher training with — we continue to support each other and make sure our growth goes beyond our physical yoga practice.

Website: https://amoderncreativestudio.myportfolio.com/home
Instagram: @modern.creative