Showit designers are unique in that we are like one big group of friends, instead of really seeing ourselves as competition for each other. I set out to interview Louise Ross of The Autumn Rabbit for this month's Featured Showit Design Smith article, not only to learn more about her business, but to get to know her better as a person and friend!

[R.E] Tell me a little bit about your business, The Autumn Rabbit:

[L.R.] I specialize in custom logos, branding and websites. I also create and sell a lot of pre-made designs, including Showit Style Groups. As much as I love doing custom designs and working with my clients on a one on one basis, I also feel a massive need to express myself by sometimes designing just for me. Creating pre-mades and templates is my little outlet.

[R.E] How did you get your start as a designer?

[L.R.] Funnily enough, I can still remember the day extremely well. A friend of mine is a photographer, and we were just talking about her business and how it all works, and she was telling me about her watermark, and how she wanted to get a new one made. At the time, I used to look after her little girls and would draw pictures for them to color in. She asked me if I'd ever thought about designing, and honestly no.. I'd never once even thought about it. I just liked doodling. She introduced me to Illustrator, and I decided to download it for a 30 day trial and just have a play. Well , I designed her a new watermark. She told her friend, who told her friend and everything started snowballing. I started loving it. And at the end of the 30 day trial I had already started making money… whoop! I had a business. I'm also proud to say I'm completely 100% self taught, bar a few YouTube videos.

[R.E] What are some of your favorite Showit sites you've designed?

[L.R.] http://corriekraft.com – One of my passions/hobbies is watercolor painting. I was thrilled to be able to put this to use in Corrie's site. We had such fun working on it together too

corriekraft.com

wunderlieb.com

marblesleet.theautumnrabbit.com

[R.E] What would you say your design style is in three words?

[L.R.] Eclectic ~ I don't like to nail myself down to one style… there's just too many that I like.

[R.E] You sell a lot of cool items all over the web – where are the places we can check out your work and items for sale?

[L.R.]

[R.E] Where are you located, and what's your favorite thing about where you live?

[L.R.] I'm currently in New Mexico… in the middle of nowhere. Unfortunately there's actually not many things I can say I like about the area because I really don't. It's ugly, it's hot and dry and dusty. Being from England i'm used to everything green and wet so i'll probably have to say my fav is when it storms… reminds me of home…but that's not really something about the area. So, i'm going to say the people. I live in a fairly small town where most people are not originally from the area. You kind of have to put yourself out there to get to know anyone, but everybody does it… So probably one of the friendliest places i've ever lived.

[R.E] What country would you really love to visit if you ever get the chance?

[L.R.] I've also done a lot of traveling and been to quite a few different countries although for some reason i've not been out of the South west of America….So even though i live here i'd have to say America.. the nice parts! haha Oh and the nordic countries. Would love to take my kid to lapland one year to see Santa 🙂

[R.E] What's one fact about you that people may not know?

[L.R.] I started my career in the investment banking world and worked for JPMorgan for 13 years in their European head office. Oh and I used to be a ballet dancer.

[R.E] Do you have a family? What are they like?

[L.R.] I sure do. I've been married to my husband for 5 years now and we have a 3 year old girl. Most people ask how I ended up in America… The very very short version…. Met my husband while i was working in Frankfurt and he was stationed there with the US Army. Whirlwind romance. Married in Vegas… Stationed back in the US… and of course I came with 🙂 Best decision I ever made apart from missing my family like crazy back in England.

[R.E] What's your favorite quote or advice you've been given?

[L.R.] “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people”

Rachael Earl

Rachael Earl is the owner and lead website designer at Earl & Layne, and is a Showit Design Partner. She has been using Showit to design websites and online identities for creative professionals since 2009, and is also a professional photographer. Rachael has been married to her amazing husband since 2000, and they have 4 incredibly adorable offspring together. They call Gilbert, Arizona their home, which is affectionately and alternatively known as "the surface of the sun."