I want to keep sharing some inspiring stories of introverts and/or highly sensitive people (HSP) who are living their purpose, while finding a sense of balance. A behind the scenes view is so helpful.

Here’s a new profile for today, followed by the 6 lessons I take from it.

Meet Kristen Winstead

Kristen, an introvert and highly sensitive person, is the owner of Sund Studio. She designs marketing and communications materials (such as logos, websites, and magazines) for schools and nonprofits.

I’ve seen her strikingly beautiful work, and I can see why organizations readily hire her and keep her engaged long-term.

Kristen’s mission is to add more beauty to the world and she finds meaning through supporting those who are making the world a better place.

She’s been self-employed at Sund Studio for over 17 years, after building up her experience, confidence, and connections while working for others. She has a degree in Communications from Hampshire College in Massachusetts, and currently lives in Asheville, North Carolina (USA). She’s also a poet, gardener, and a mom of a 4-year-old.

How has being an introvert and a highly sensitive person influenced your career and business choices?

Kristen: I have tried on many jobs, some of them requiring more extroversion, and I have found that I have amazing focus when it is quiet and I am alone. I love working on longer projects where I can dive in and get into the flow.

Also, I keep calls and meetings to a minimum and give myself a little time to decompress after them. Also, I will only work with people who are respectful and kind. Otherwise, I carry that bad energy with me throughout my day.

Overall, I think my sensitivity and introversion allow me to be a better noticer and artist, and really understand where a client is coming from so I can serve them better.

How do you balance life and work, as a self-employed mom?

Kristen: It’s been really helpful for me as a mom to be able to create my own schedule. It means I am able to be with my daughter more than with a traditional 9-5 and have flexibility around sick days without fear of losing my job.

When we had to keep our daughter home last year, I was able to scale down my business and now I’m scaling up again with her back in school.

Work-life balance has always been a challenge for me, but since becoming a mom, it has become even more necessary to find time to nurture myself.

I am working on the small things—such as taking time to eat, get outside, and meet a friend for lunch. It has done wonders for my health and happiness.

6 Lessons from Kristen’s story…

When I see how calm and confident she is in running her business, and balancing it all, she makes it look so easy. Now I know how much is behind that.

I hear at least 6 great lessons in her story:

1. Choose a career and work environment that matches your energy and sensitivity needs, and keep good boundaries around that. Then you can do your best work in the world.
2. Sensitivity can be a superpower if you also do #1.
3. Create your own job if needed, and trust that you can develop your experience, confidence, and connections over time to make that feasible.
4. When you’re self-employed, you get to choose who you work with and can choose what fits your energy and values best.
5. Taking breaks is doable, and does wonders.
6. You can add beauty to the world and get paid for it in a sustainable way.

I’m enjoying these inspiring stories from introverts and HSPs. I like hearing all the details of how they make it work. More coming soon. You can subscribe below.

Wondering about your own path?

You might like these resources:

• Does it seem like everyone else has it figured out?
• Career Clarity Course for Introverts and HSPs.
• Self-employment needs to be easier.