Today, we’d like to introduce you to Georgiann Tyrrell.
Georgiann, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in a small town in upstate New York, where I developed my love for the outdoors and adventure from an early age. I was always an active kid, playing many sports and enjoying activities like swimming and camping. After high school, I pursued my interest in the environment by studying Environmental Science and Policy at Clarkson University.
During college, I was able to gain some valuable international experience by studying abroad in Australia for a semester. I also had the opportunity during my study abroad in Australia to travel independently on weekends & take a photography class. That really helped me grow as a street and landscape photographer, having to capture memorable shots on the fly. By the time I graduated, photography had truly become a serious passion of mine, even if I didn’t pursue it professionally right away. It laid the foundation for starting my own business later on.
I also met my fiance and had the opportunity to live with him and work in Denver for a summer. After graduating, we both got jobs working for the Olympic Regional Development Authority in Lake Placid where I was able to use my education in a meaningful role doing digital marketing.
It was there that I discovered a passion and talent for graphic design. My fiance started his own successful technical writing business. That success and inspiration, along with my desire for diverse projects and running my own business, helped me to make the decision to leave my job and start my own business doing freelance photography and design work. It was a risk, but it allowed me to pursue my creative interests. My business has grown steadily over the past few years, and I’ve really enjoyed being my own boss, setting my own schedule, and developing my skills.
My fiance also started his own successful business around the same time. We recently got engaged and are busier than ever preparing for our wedding at the end of this year. We also hope to travel around Europe for a while before settling into our next chapter. Overall, I feel grateful for the path that brought me to where I am today, both professionally and personally. I’m excited about the future and continuing to grow my business.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While pursuing my career path in photography, marketing and graphic design, it hasn’t always been easy. One major struggle I faced was having my softball dreams cut short due to health issues.
Softball had been a huge part of my identity for years. I started playing recreationally as a child and played travel ball & varsity all through high school. I was excited to continue at Clarkson, making their college team as a freshman. However, a few practices in, I suffered a career-ending concussion.
Dealing with not being able to play anymore was incredibly difficult. Softball had given me so much joy and helped shape who I was. Now, just when my collegiate career was starting, it was over. I really struggled with a loss of purpose after the injury.
It took time, but I slowly started rediscovering my passion for photography, which had long been a hobby. I decided to pursue it as a career along with marketing and design. However, transitioning to being an entrepreneur was challenging. I faced struggles learning the business and client aspects on my own as a startup.
Even still, there was no stopping me from pursuing my dreams. I’m thankful I was able to channel my competitive drive into building my business. It gave me a new focus and a sense of purpose. The road wasn’t perfect, and there were bumps along the way. But with hard work and perseverance, I found a fulfilling path forward that allows me to live a fulfilling, exciting, and happy life in every way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Melampus Media, our mission is to use the power of design for good. We specialize in branding, web design, and print graphics for purpose-driven organizations making a positive impact in their communities.
What sets us apart is our emphasis on fusing creativity with a social purpose. We believe that visuals have the ability to not only look great, but also inspire action and further important causes. Each design we create is carefully crafted to effectively convey our clients’ missions and motivate their audiences to drive real change.
Some of the work we’re most proud of includes designs we’ve done for non-profits focused on sustainability and increasing access to healthcare, as well as work in the health and wellness space. We’ve taken complex issues and distilled them into clear visual identities and messaging that resonate deeply.
“In a sea of sameness where it seems like every other vendor is presenting the same portfolio, where no one seems to really think about the work being produced, Melampus Media is a breath of fresh air,” says one of our valued clients.
Our goal is to elevate both our clients’ important missions and those of whole industries working for the greater good. Whether it’s through environmental campaigns that spread awareness or health organization websites that streamline access to information—we want all of our designs to make a measurable difference.
While other firms may see design as simply aesthetics, we view it as an opportunity to create a positive social impact. This purpose is what sets our work and our agency apart. We’d love to discuss how we can partner to visually advance your mission-driven goals and messages.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
When it comes to finding mentors and networking effectively, one of the most valuable things for me has been Instagram. I’ve found it to be a great resource for inspiration and advice. By following small creative agency accounts in my industry, I’ve gained countless useful insights into growing a business.
The Instagram community of independent designers, photographers and marketers is incredibly supportive. Through their shared experiences – whether it’s posts about client projects, strategies for marketing or tips for self-care – I always walk away feeling motivated and with new ideas to try.
Some specific ways these accounts have helped include learning how to better position myself and my unique value as an agency owner. I’ve taken away new tips for converting cold contacts into paying clients. And their behind-the-scenes looks at successful campaigns gave me the confidence to take creative risks on proposals.
Really diving into what these creative peers are doing day-to-day has been hugely beneficial. When I’ve hit roadblocks, their encouragement and suggestions helped me troubleshoot. Now I try to pay it forward by sharing my own lessons learned for others starting out too. Instagram has truly become a wellspring of inspiration and advice as I continue growing my business.
I’ve also found LinkedIn to be a great professional networking tool. Utilizing LinkedIn has expanded my community and allowed me to tap into relevant individuals both locally and beyond. Being an active participant by engaging thoughtfully in others’ posts has strengthened relationships.
Overall, putting myself out there while genuinely helping others has served me well. Quality connections take time but are so worth cultivating for advice, camaraderie, and new prospects down the road. My advice is don’t be afraid to reach out – mentors want to give back to up-and-comers too. Attending online events and utilizing online platforms can help spark valuable mentorships and growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://melampusmedia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melampusmedia/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiann-tyrrell/
Image Credits
Georgiann Photography
