ABOUT WOODSE
Woodse Creative Co.
Hi there, and welcome to Woodse! I’m Elissa Woods, an award-winning Brand Designer and Strategist. I build bespoke brands brick by brick that stack up and set you apart from your competition. My mission is to craft the creative building blocks your biz needs to succeed. I help micro startups, tech companies, and non-profits to scale for success through strategic branding and impactful graphic design.
“We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.” – Goethe
ORIGIN STORY
Where It All Actually Began
I originally founded my small business in May 2021 as Elissa Woods Designs LLC. The real origin story began from a place of stubborn determination, no lie! My first desk job was as a graphic designer and multi-media creative for a small non-profit organization which ended back in 2018. They restructured their organization and I, along with a number of fellow friends got laid off. Rather than view this transition as a setback, I went and got my Master’s in Media Design (Graphic Design). I did the work in one year that most people would do in three – graduating Valedictorian, top of my class, 4.0 GPA just in time for…the pandemic to hit.
“Hope is the embrace of the unknown, and the unknowable.” – Rebecca Solnit​
It Takes Grit To Grow
It took me almost a year, but post-grad I told myself to only apply for jobs at companies whose mission, vision, and values resonated with my own. My pickiness (and pluckiness) paid off, and in August 2020, I found myself immersed in the biotech industry. First, I worked in an in-house position as the first and only full-time Graphic Designer and creative of a small biotech focused on developing novel therapeutics for neurological disorders. They genuinely believed in helping people, and I do too! However, right around a year in, the unthinkable happened. They faced a difficult transition period, and I was informed that I needed to find new opportunities to grow – along with everyone else in the company. However, it takes grit to grow. My last day there was a Friday, I filed for my business license over the weekend, and then I promptly got to work on Monday.
“N.O. just means next opportunity.” – Chris Do, Pocket Full Of Do
Reframe & Rebuild
Someone once told me, “It only takes one yes.” I agree. That being said, it’s important to be selective about what we say yes to. For the next couple of years, I found myself more deeply immersed in the corporate biotech sphere doing graphic design and social media for small biotech and life sciences companies. Some days were triumphant, some defeating, and some were exhausting. Though I'm no rookie, I made the mistake of saying yes to too many people and too many things at once. This left me at my wit's end and realizing that I was doing myself, my clients, and my work a great disservice. Driven by my insuppressible grit, I knew it was time to reframe my mindset, my thinking, and my business.
“Do what you can with what you have where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Never Give Up
Never give up, never surrender! In the Summer of 2022, I realized I needed to evolve and refresh my mindset if I was to truly serve myself and others. Debbie downer isn't me. I’m fun and love to pun! I take great pride in the value I provide and my relationships with others. My why is fulfilling others’ creative needs, solving their design problems, and watching their businesses scale and succeed in industries of all shapes and sizes. I pride myself on being that missing creative puzzle piece that comes in and just fits. So now what?
“Choose to spend your energy on what you love.” – David Airey, Design For Love
LET'S GROW
Mission Achievable
I’m back and I’m better than ever! Ok, better is subjective, sure, but I’m definitely punnier! ;) In 2023, I relaunched my brand with a refocused mission, to empower small businesses across industries for success through strategic branding and impactful graphic design. I’m here to help you achieve your dreams one pixel at a time. I truly believe that together, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish, no mission too big, and no company too small. Wanna achieve your mission? Let’s chat! I can’t wait to meet you!
“Do the work you want to see done.” – Austin Kleon, Steal Like an Artist
MEET ELISSA
Just Who Am I Anyways?
Elissa Woods is an award-winning Brand Identity Designer and Strategist. She builds bespoke brands for micro startups, techs, and non-profits. She provides her clients with the creative building blocks they need to scale to new heights. Her work has been featured in the Boston Business Journal, Graphic Design USA, and numerous other publications and platforms. She has won multiple industry awards for her branding and design expertise as well as an award for copywriting.
Elissa holds an MFA in Media Design (Graphic Design) from Full Sail University where she graduated at the top of her class having completed her Master’s program in one year instead of three. She also holds a BFA in Digital Filmmaking from the University of Montana.
Now going beyond my obvious LinkedIn bio, here are some fun facts about me:
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My birthday is on Star Wars Day, May the Fourth be with you!
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I’m a proud plant Mom and I’m cactus obsessed. The pricklier the better.
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No, the puns are not practiced – I just like to have pun!
MY VALUES
WOODSE IS...
Proud To Be...
100% woman-owned, LGBTQIA+ owned, and committed to ethical, honest, and transparent marketing. I don't just talk the talk I walk the walk! I believe that honesty is the only policy which is why I've taken the Ethical Marketing Pledge. No fluff, no frills, just honest-to-goodness transparency in all of my design, marketing, and small business efforts.