Hello Public Design & Branding
INTERVIEWEE: Peter Haughland, Graphic Designer + Principal of Hello Public Design & Branding
INTERVIEWER: Emery Mindana, Marketing Assistant at NABI
Please describe your business for me including when it started.
I had the idea of starting a design collective with two friends while we were in college in 2008. While we went separate ways, I started by doing some freelance under the name Hello Public in my off hours while I worked my full time job. As the freelance workload grew, I ultimately decided to start my own fulltime studio.
Where did the idea for your business come from?
I’ve always had an issue with how certain designs, websites, and brochures looked. In high school, I started writing and building websites. This was how I built my own idea of “graphic design”. After high school I worked in the restaurant industry and as a manager, I found myself designing the menus and brochures for the business. It was then that I realized that this hobby could be a career.
Does your business have an upcoming milestone? What are you currently working towards?
Hello Public has just reached five years as a full time studio! Hello Public’s short term goal is to hire a fulltime time graphic designer, now that I have more space with an office at NABI for more employees.
Have there been some challenges you’ve had to overcome in your business?
Creating a work-life balance, especially as a one man show, has been the biggest challenge. I’ve had to maintain a flexible schedule. I have definitely worked more than a few late nights.
What was the biggest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur?
Finances are the biggest challenge.
What have you learned from running your own business? What advice could you give to other entrepreneurs?
I started this business very purposefully. Trust yourself and your skill. You will know when the time is right. So don’t be afraid to take chances. Surround yourselves with peers and like minded people.
What do you think other people should know about this organization?
Hello Public is about building relationships and partnerships. I like to work with organizations and companies who can’t afford creative directors or marketers. My job isn’t about the invoice. I want to learn about your business. No one person has all of the answers. It’s about communication and collaboration.
What is the most rewarding thing of being an entrepreneur?
Being able to accommodate the client and help solve their problems. It’s rewarding to take a project and elevate it to something that is effective and the client can be proud of.
Peter is the current President of the Alberta North Chapter of Graphic Designers of Canada and has had an office with NABI at the Perron District location since April 2019.
For media inquiries or more information on Hello Public or NABI’s community get in touch with Emery at emery@nabi.ca
