In this episode of At Home in Waterloo Region, Cher sits down with Jessica Dietrich, founder and principal designer of Pine & Pixel, to talk about building a meaningful brand, navigating unexpected layoffs, and stepping fully into entrepreneurship. Jessica shares her journey from corporate graphic design to running a successful branding and website design studio, along with powerful insights on trusting your intuition, overcoming identity shifts, and creating aligned businesses that truly resonate. 

In this episode you will hear:

• [01:30] – Inspired by her father’s influence, Jessica reflects on how her love for design began and the story behind the name Pine & Pixel.
• [03:23] – Following an unexpected layoff, she shares the emotional journey of navigating shock, sadness, and self-doubt, and how she ultimately reframed it into an opportunity to fully step into her business.
• [10:05] – Rather than taking a safer, part-time route, a pivotal decision was made to go all in on building her business from the ground up.
• [12:56] – Learning to move forward without having every answer became a turning point in accepting the situation and embracing uncertainty.
• [20:22] – By sharing her story openly, she now supports others who are navigating similar challenges in their own journeys.
• [24:53] – Stepping into entrepreneurship felt unexpectedly natural, aligning seamlessly with both her skills and passions.
• [28:01] – Flexibility, freedom, and being more present with her children are just a few of the reasons she loves running her own business.
• [29:33] – Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at her process when working with clients on branding and website design projects.
• [30:38] – A strong emphasis is placed on strategy, user experience, and ensuring every design aligns with the ideal client.
• [32:33] – Through recent project examples, she illustrates how intentional and thoughtful design can directly impact business growth.
• [34:13] – A local business program played a key role in helping her refine her strategy while building confidence as an entrepreneur.
• [35:42] – With mentorship, business planning, and grant opportunities, the program offers tangible support for growing businesses.
• [39:48] – The power of community shines through as she shares her appreciation for collaboration over competition within the local business scene.
• [41:25] – Current design trends are explored, along with the importance of balancing what’s popular with what remains timeless.
• [43:01] – Each designer’s unique style becomes a magnet for aligned clients, reinforcing the value of authenticity in creative work.
• [45:30] – Jessica encourages entrepreneurs to seek expert support when feeling stuck, especially when it comes to branding and website strategy.

Special Offer: As a thank-you to the At Home Co. podcast community, Jessica is offering a complimentary strategy session or website audit to the first few listeners who reach out. Simply mention the At Home Co. podcast when you connect with her to take advantage of this exclusive opportunity. 

Connect with Jessica:

Instagram: @pineandpixel

Let's Connect:
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Website: www.athomecompany.ca
Email Community: https://athomeco.myflodesk.com/podcast
Contact: [email protected]

Thank you to our Sponsors:

• Amanda Walczyk, Mortgage Agent | Level 2 license at Dominion Lending Centres National Ltd, FSRA #12360
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltboxmortgage_agent
Contact: [email protected]
519.497.9256

• Den1880
Website: https://www.den1880.co
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