A Bit About Me
Well, here we are. You’re probably wondering how the heck I ended up in the design world.
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t exactly a straight line. It was more like a zigzag with a few detours—some planned and others not so much. But hey, who said life had to be boring, right?
Let’s go back, way back to the beginning. I had always dreamed of being a pilot. Yes, I was strongly influenced by Top Gun, and flying fighter jets was my ultimate goal. Needless to say, that didn’t happen. I took the safe route and started my (short-lived) career as an events manager. I then slid into project management, working with some pretty incredible South African brands, specializing in infrastructure and technology—not a bad career move.
From there, I somehow (don’t ask how, it’s still a mystery to me) found myself deep in the BPO world, where I spent most of my career specializing in—you guessed it—infrastructure and technology, with a dash of operations. Okay, maybe more than just a dash. If there was an operation to be set up, a building to establish, infrastructure to build, or a process to streamline, I was there. And, with my dazzling personality and sparkling good looks, I managed to make it look way easier than it actually was.
While I was fantastic at helping businesses set up their operations, there was always this craving to set up my own. So, like any person with a shred of sanity, I eventually ditched the corporate world, took some time off to lose my mind and find my soul, and—hey presto. Okay, truth be told, it wasn’t that easy and definitely didn’t happen overnight.
I had dabbled in design and technology here and there, but it wasn’t until a friend came along and literally gave me a kick in the pants that I found the confidence to go full throttle. And with that, I was off to the moon. (Okay, maybe more like running wild with no map, but you get the idea.) It was a total game-changer.
Now, I get to work from home, living by my own rules (and yes, sometimes in pajamas all day—don’t judge me) in a beautiful seaside village. I help clients bring their online presence to life—tapping into my creativity and making a real difference in the process.
When I’m not doing that, you’ll find me fishing, gardening, or binge-watching a good series (something with plenty of episodes—probably medical, like Grey’s Anatomy, or crime-filled—let’s be honest, there are way too many great crime series out there). And when I’m not doing that, I’m dreaming of my retirement plans: buying a catamaran, chasing the sun, ticking off our travel bucket list, and becoming a true digital nomad. Because, really, who wouldn’t want to live on a boat?
Things I’ve Learned
Love and respect yourself (and others) always:
Self-love and respect are non-negotiable. It’s how I operate, and it’s what I strive to inspire in others.
Do what you love and love what you do:
This one is simple but true. When you’re passionate about your work, it doesn’t feel like work. It feels like the thing that makes you come alive, and that energy translates into everything you create.
Less is more:
In design—and in life—simplicity is the secret ingredient. I’ve discovered that stripping away the unnecessary reveals the beauty and purpose of what truly matters. By starting with a clean slate and only adding elements that serve a specific purpose, the result is not just cleaner but more powerful and impactful.
Being a mom is better than being a superhero:
Seriously. While I may not have superpowers, being a mom has taught me more about strength, love, and resilience than anything else. No cape required!
It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to be done:
Perfectionism can be a time and energy killer. I’ve learned that sometimes you just need to get things out there, learn from them, and keep improving as you go. This applies to design, business, and basically anything in life.
Gratitude:
The more I focus on the things I’m grateful for, the more I attract good things into my life. It’s not about waiting for perfection or the right moment—it’s about appreciating where you are right now.
Free Download
I developed my gratitude journal during the hard lockdown of COVID when I was unemployed, uncertain about my own mortality and the world around me. It was a time when everything felt chaotic—like the world was coming to an end—and I was desperate to believe that something extraordinary was going to happen.
The journal became my anchor, a daily practice of finding something, no matter how small, to be thankful for. In a time of paralyzing fear, it helped me shift my perspective, focus on the positive, and remind myself that the world wasn’t doomed—it just needed time to heal.
Now, I use this practice not only to stay grounded but to manifest more greatness in my life—and to share this amazing tool with everyone I come into contact with.
If you want to explore gratitude with me, download my gratitude journal.
Well, you’ve made it this far!
I hope you’ve learned a little bit more about me. If you’ve got any questions or just want to chat about design (or being a mom, or catamarans), then let’s connect!
Leigh Carnell
Visit my website: www.expansionzone.co.za