Graphic Design Service Success Stories [2024]
Graphic design service is an ideal business for those with a keen eye for aesthetics and a knack for creativity. In simple terms, this business involves creating visual content using software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop to communicate ideas and solve problems.
You'll cater to a variety of clients, from startups needing a brand identity to established corporations seeking to refresh their visual materials. The demand for skilled graphic designers spans multiple industries: marketing, web development, product packaging, and more.
Though the field is competitive, with dedication and a compelling portfolio, there's considerable potential for growth and client retention. If you thrive on creative projects and enjoy working with diverse clients, starting a graphic design service can be a fulfilling opportunity. This venture requires not just creative talent but also good communication and project management skills, making it both challenging and rewarding.
In this list, you'll find real-world graphic design service success stories and very profitable examples of starting a graphic design service that makes money.
1. Jakt ($3.6M/year)
Anthony Tumbiolo, founder of Jakt, started the business after running an events business and teaching himself how to code in college. He realized he loved helping other businesses succeed and saw the potential to impact many people by creating software for them. Jakt started with a six-month contract from their first client, and they have since grown their business through referrals and strategic channel partnerships. In 2018, they achieved $4 million in revenue with a 20% profit margin.
How much money it makes: $3.6M/year
How many people on the team: 15
Jakt, a digital product and innovation studio based in NYC, works with both startups and large enterprises, operating on a revenue of $4 million in 2018 with a 20% profit margin, with focus on referrals and channel partnerships to attract and retain clients.
2. Driftime® Media ($126K/year)
Abb-d Choudhury, co-founder of Curate Labs, came up with the idea for his business after falling out of love with his work at large agencies and wanting to create a practice focused on ethics and design for good. Starting with the launch of Curate Magazine, Choudhury and his partner Sara built the business from the ground up, using their own skills to design the brand and website, while also securing client work to sustain the business financially. They have since expanded their ventures to include The Annual Digest and Driftime®, with plans to merge all aspects of their business into one entity with multiple revenue streams.
How much money it makes: $126K/year
How many people on the team: 2
Curate Labs is a creative practice focused around ethical and sustainable design, with an annual publication that champions good business and a travel platform that advocates conscious travel, founded in 2016 by co-founders Abb-d Choudhury and Sara, bootstrapped, now turning into one business with 3 departments and aiming for 50-100% increase in revenue.
3. MeetAnders ($87.9K/year)
Marilyn Wo, co-founder of MeetAnders, came up with the idea for her productized graphic design company after realizing the limitations of her freelance business. She saw the potential in offering predefined design packages on a subscription model, providing unlimited graphic design for a fixed fee per month. Through trial and error, Marilyn and her team grew the business to a three-person team with $7,000 in monthly recurring revenue, attracting customers such as event directors, CMOs, and startup founders who needed ongoing design support.
How much money it makes: $87.9K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 3
MeetAnders is a productized graphic design company offering unlimited graphic designs for just one fixed-fee a month, with a three-man team and $7,000 in monthly recurring revenue, all started without any upfront capital.
4. Freshly Squeezed ($33.6K/year)
Adam Crookes, the founder of Freshly Squeezed, had always dreamed of running his own business and had been developing ideas since his high school days. After leaving a digital marketing agency, he took the opportunity to start a content writing business. In just six months, Freshly Squeezed has become incredibly successful, earning considerably more than Adam's previous job.
How much money it makes: $33.6K/year
How many people on the team: 0
Learn how Adam Crookes started a content writing business, Freshly Squeezed, from scratch, resulting in $3K MRR in just 6 months, and get tips on attracting and retaining customers and building a successful service-based business.
5. Bryn Elizabeth Co. ($15.6K/year)
Bryn Bonino, founder of Bryn Elizabeth Co., came up with the idea for her business after working as a marketing coach for creative micro-business owners. She witnessed their struggles to carry out marketing strategies and decided to create a hybrid model where she builds a strategic and tactical digital marketing system for her clients and then trains them on how to use it. With her expertise in digital marketing and her personal experience with challenges in life, Bryn validated her idea and has since been able to charge four times her salaried hourly rate and attract more clients than she can handle.
How much money it makes: $15.6K/year
How many people on the team: 1
Bryn Bonino founded a company that helps micro-businesses connect with their ideal clients, averaging $1,300 per month since shifting from an hourly consultant to offering entire packages to help clients meet their business goals.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
