Build Momentum With Creativity 

North Dakota born and raised, Ashton Hauff may be a name that sounds familiar to you. Not only has she been actively designing for brands in her area, she's been working hard bringing together creatives in all industries through her community group, Makewell. I first met Ashton while attending a Makewell event in Bismarck, North Dakota. I knew there was something special at that event, something I had never experienced before at a meet up event. I walked away with so much drive and momentum with so many creative ideas to help me move forward in my business.

As a creative designer myself, I found inspiration within my conversations with Ashton and wanted to share her journey being a founder, designer and philanthropist. In our interview, she sheds light life as a creative in business and the importance of community. She also shares her perspective on philanthropy. Did you know she likes to volunteer her photography 1 - 3 times a year to mission organizations? In the past she's been to places like Tijuana, Madrid, Nairobi, and Verrettes in Haiti. If you ask me, I think that's pretty cool!

"I’m a born and raised North Dakotan. Growing up, my mom was a commercial artist/stay at home mom so I grew up in her art room, sparking my creativity at an early age. Throughout my school years, shows like TLC’s Trading Spaces really drew me into the world of design, so when it came time to choose my career, I decided to pursue graphic design at the University of Northwestern in Saint Paul."

"Throughout my college years, I explored design by doing an internship in Madrid, Spain at a ministry, volunteered my design for my young adult group, started a photography business, worked at my college’s marketing department, and eventually interned for Todaymade in Bismarck that lead me to my first job."

"My first job at Todaymade, later CoSchedule, is what drew me back to my home in Bismarck in 2015. I spent four amazing years with that team, and just recently started a design business with two other incredibly, talented designers with unique expertises that compliment my own."

Ashton told me in her personal life she's been married for almost three years this June to her husband Caleb.

"He’s a commercial filmmaker and started his own business, Threefold, so we both get to do what we love. We have a great dane/italian mastiff mix dog, named Baylee.( We got super lucky that she’s only 85 lbs!) We love her to death. In our free time, we enjoy traveling, renovating our camper van, and hosting friends at our home."

Ashton currently focuses on three main things that fill her week.

"I recently started a new venture with two other designers called The Good Kids. We’re a collective of designers working under the same roof so we each have our own individual clients, while also working collaboratively on projects together. We each have a unique skillset within the umbrella of design, so it works out really, really well. We hope to have an open house soon."

"So far, I’ve had a lot of variety with my design work including brand identities, restaurant menus, book layouts, social media graphics, websites, and the list goes on. I love design because it’s the perfect balance between function and aesthetic. Design is everywhere if you look around, so I love being able to solve those visual problems that allow businesses or organizations to focus on what they love."

Ashton is also the founder of a community group for makers called Makewell.

"When I moved back to Bismarck after my time in the Twin Cities, I really missed the ongoing energy and creative events that we’re constantly available. I tried my best to find something here, and it just wasn’t happening. I asked a few peers if they felt the same way and if they had similar questions, and that’s when I realized I wasn’t alone. I gathered a team and we had our first event in February of 2017 with the goal of bringing together creatives from all industries. We thought it’d be a one-time event, and it ended up selling out a month in advance, so we’ve continued to grow and serve the community ever since. Our group is now over 1,000+ makers in the Midwest region. It’s a true honor getting to elevate makers so that they can do what they love, where they love."

She also focuses on her photography.

"My freshman year of college I started a photography business, called Genuine Photography, that I’ve continued to grow over the years. I focus primarily on senior and wedding portraits. I love portrait photography because I get to show them how beautiful they are, in return making them proud and confident, which always brings a smile to their face. Seeing the transformation through the session, is my favorite thing.

With my photography, I also get to do branded content for businesses or products, which lends itself well with my design work. Whenever I get the opportunity to style and art direct the photos and later use them in my design pieces, it’s a good day. Seeing it all come together in one, unified piece brings me a lot of joy."

When I asked Ashton about finding balance between all the different creative ventures she has going on she relies on her type a personality and need for organization to help her do it all. She has a set morning routine to help her get into a mindset where she can create and serve. She also into using all sorts of organizational tools to help her get through each day, which she can totally geek out about if you ask her!

Thankfully, I’ve been doing photography for almost ten years now so that’s pretty predictable for me to plan around. With Makewell its only been three years, but I’ve learned the timeline and tasks that come with planning an event. Its sort of like planning a couple weddings each year, and I have an amazing team that is apart of the process from start to finish. My design work, while I’ve been freelancing since college, is a completely new season for me, so the next few years I’ll be navigating that and hopefully finding a rhythm.

I think overall, it’s about being realistic about how many ‘new’ things you can take on at once. Once you develop a rhythm with one, maybe it’s okay to explore another idea… but with any new endeavor it’s critical that you have your own personal routines that bring you life and rest. For me, its drinking a hot cup of chamomile tea first thing in the morning, working out at Pulse after work, and making sure I get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Without those core elements, I wouldn’t be in a position to create and serve.

I believe we were each meant to live in community, whether it be at work or at home. By simply gathering a bunch of random makers and creatives from a vast group of industries, we’ve been able to change the attitude of quiet competition to that of real, genuine support. We’ve been able to be vulnerable with each other, so we can get down to the real, hard questions and answers that allow us each to move forward in our own endeavors.

Restaurants are opening, collaborations are happening, art is on the street corners, small businesses are thriving… by elevating the people in our community that are creating and innovating, the entire community benefits because we enjoy where we live. Everyone gains a sense of pride about where they call home, and that all starts with gathering makers.

I asked Ashton how she felt about the growth Makewell has had since it started, she told me:

"I’m continually blown away by how the community has come together to support one another. From that first event in 2017, everyone has asked us to bring the event to their community, but in reality, it’s not about the event, it’s about the people. If the people in attendance didn’t commit themselves to supporting one another, being real with each other, and be willing to give of their experiences, Makewell wouldn’t exist. I’m so crazy proud of encouraged by how the makers have stepped up and creating a real attitude of community that has spread across the region."

As creatives and as business owners we can sometimes find ourselves overwhelmed by looking at the big picture. I asked Ashton a series of questions about her experiences and if she had any advice she wanted to share on questions we all have floating around in our heads from time to time.

K: How do you find harmony within your creative and business minds?

A: "I think my creative mind has always lead the way, and then I use my business mind to make it happen. I think if it was reversed, I wouldn’t have started any of the things I’m currently doing simply because none of them were motivated by money. I started by asking what I love to do, and then I worked really, really, really hard to make sure the finances are there. (That might mean waitressing until you book enough photo sessions or working a full-time gig as you start your new endeavor in the evenings.)"

"Because I love what I do, the hard work almost comes naturally because I enjoy doing it and I can clearly envision what I’m working towards. It’s certainly not the easy approach or the one with least risk, but it’s lead me to where I am today, and I couldn’t be more grateful for each of the things I get to do each day."

A: "As a type a personality, I naturally enjoy control and structure, and I’ve learned that when I get really stressed out, my natural default is to go over the top with wanting control, even if it means running over people in the process. That’s not something I’m proud of, and over the past few years I’ve been thrown into that position more than once with my leadership at Makewell."

"I’ve learned (and am still learning) how to react differently. Instead of seeking control and trying to do everything myself to fix the problem at hand, I’ve learned that any bad situation creates space for opportunity. I rally with my team, we brainstorm countless ideas, and ask the makers of our community to step up. Time and time again, I’m amazed at the ideas and generosity of the people of our community. The new solution is usually way better than the one we had initially planned in the first place… all because I let go of control and let the community step in."

Sometimes it's hard for us to put ourselves out there and be our own cheerleader. As creatives and as entrepreneurs sometimes we struggle "selling" ourselves. Ashton answered my own questions on how to be better at getting out there and meeting new people.

K: Do you have any advice for makers/creatives for how they can get involved in their community?

A: "The easiest and best thing you can do is to gather together. When we’re constantly doing life alone on our own support, we will eventually fail, but when we gather together with others in similar seasons or passions, we all win."

"The best place to start is with a meetup. Find people that are interested in similar things, and invite them over once or twice a month to hang out. I can promise you’ll have a great time and learn so much in the process."

"Then, choose to support your peers in what they do. If they own a small business, buy something. If they’re hosting an event, show up. If they need some new clients, promote them. It’s the small things that go a long way."

A: Within the Midwest, Makewell does our best to curate a list of events to attend each week in our newsletter. We feature a variety of making events and locations, so you can take part as much as possible. We also have a Facebook Community Group where people share things going on in their community, so join on in and try something out!

Makewell is hosting their Spring Workshop Marathonon Saturday, April 27th in downtown Bismarck. There’s four workshops in the morning focused on small business topics like building a website, making each day productive, setting your prices, and more… And then the four workshops in the afternoon are for everyone wanting a hands-on experience from painting, to gardening, to crafting.

All are welcome and workshops are only $30 each! Plus, there will be a warm, inviting space in the entryway filled with couches and coffee for anyone simply wanting to hang out and continue their conversations.

Personal/Design: ashtonhauff.com , @ashtonhauff, ashtonrhauff@gmail.com

Makewell: wearemakewell.com, @wearemakewell, ashton@wearemakewell.com

Photography: genuinephotography.org, @genuinephoto, genuine.photography5@gmail.com