We Did A Thing (Really!)

I started High Moon Studio just under three years ago as a way to crawl myself out of rock bottom. What started as “me” working 12-hour days in my parent’s basement, juggling my time between brand, web design, development, onboarding, marketing, blah blah blah, has now turned into “we” – a team of myself + 5 talented humans!

It didn’t happen overnight, of course. Nothing ever does.

I started small with hiring interns, then a part-time Virtual Assistant, then two full-time employees to take over operations and client communication. That day was nuts. THEN, last week – almost a year after hiring my first employee – we brought on three more.

Watching this business grow has been MY FAVORITE hobby.

A huge part of being a founder is to create positive change. There are so many issues I see within the traditional career space: abuse by mentors that for some reason isn’t considered “abuse,” old ways of doing things that don’t make sense anymore, a lack of human understanding, old conditioning: ‘settling’ mentality, fear, etc.

I want to inspire people to follow their dreams so they can wake up and do what they’re passionate about every single day. I want to give our employees a space where they feel happy, seen, fulfilled, and proud of themselves. And I want to show other CEOs, founders, and managers how to treat their people like family, because we all deserve respect and recognition and fun in our career.

AND … let’s be real, the work is always better this way.

High Moon Studio’s growth is not just about the growth. It’s SO much bigger than that. It means we can help more people feel inspired and fulfilled in their careers every single day… and that’s pretty dope don’t you think?

 

So without further ado…

Meet the badass gals behind High Moon Studio

 

Alex, CEO + Founder

 

What’s your human design?

5/1 Emotional Generator 🙂

 

What are your big 3? (Sun, Moon, Rising)

Scorpio, Capricorn, Virgo

 

What is your enneagram type?

3w2

 

What’s your coffee (or tea) order?

Depends on where I order! Here’s my fav coffee in LA:

Bluebottle = shakerado when I want a little sweetness or an iced almond milk latte || Alfreds = hot almond milk latte || Strings of Life Cafe = Iced or hot almond milk latte with vanilla (not too sweet!) || Starbucks = shaken cold brew with a drop of pumpkin or salted caramel cold foam || everywhere else usually an almond or oat milk latte 🙂 I love my coffee

 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I’m super into traveling! I have been going on trips at minimum every quarter and it sure feeds my soul and creativity. I’m also obsessed with hot yoga and going for long walks with my pup through Beverly Hills to manifest beneath all the million dollar houses. A new restaurant is my JAM — I’m such a foodie and love trying new things while spending quality time with friends! I also love to cook fun meals at home.

 

Where did you grow up?

Oakdale, MN until I was in the 4th grade, then for the rest of my childhood New Richmond, Winscosin!

 

Where do you live?

Los Angeles 🙂

 

Most life-changing book or podcast?

This is hard for me because I truly find joy and value in everything I consume. I’ve been loving the Skinny Confidential podcast because their guests are all over the place and I feel I learn something new every time I listen.

 

Favorite quote?

“The only way out is through” or “Live with passion” (super cheesy but potent haha)

 

What are you most passionate about at the moment? / What is bringing you the most joy at this moment?

Starting new businesses!!! And honestly spending time with myself through a big season of change XO

 

Follow Alex on Instagram

 

 

Becca, Operations Manager

 

What’s your human design?

6/2 Splenic Projector

 

What are your big 3? (Sun, Moon, Rising)

Leo, Taurus, Pisces

 

What is your enneagram type?

2w1

 

What’s your coffee (or tea) order?

A Creamy Oat Milk Latte from OB Beans (my fav spot in San Diego) or an Americano with a splash of coconut milk

 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Finding new workout classes (I love strength & conditioning classes or a sweaty yoga class, but I’m always trying new things!), going on hot girl walks with my pup Josie around my neighborhood park, making delicious meals at home with a glass of Cabernet in hand (preferably Josh!), and exploring cocktail bars with live jazz music (my fav!) with good friends!

 

Where did you grow up?

Born & raised in Roswell, GA (right outside Atlanta)

 

Where do you live?

San Diego, CA … for now 😉

 

Most life-changing book or podcast?

The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast is iconic and was really the first podcast I got invested in. I have truly learned so much from Lauryn (& Michael) over the years.

 

Favorite quote?

“Start the habit of asking yourself: ‘Does this support the life I’m trying to create?'”

 

What are you most passionate about at the moment? / What is bringing you the most joy at this moment?

Recently, my routines! It’s been hard adjusting to a remote work life after Covid and just all the change that came with it, but I finally feel like I’m getting in my groove again and finding what works for me so that I can show up for myself and for others!

 

Follow Becca on Instagram

 

Natalie, Project Manager

 

What’s your human design?

Generator <33

 

What are your big 3? (Sun, Moon, Rising)

Sun: Capricorn

Rising: Gemini

Moon: Cancer

 

What is your enneagram type?

9 (the Peacemaker)

What’s your coffee (or tea) order?

Depends on what I’m feeling! But I’ll usually take a mocha, chai tea latte, or a cappuccino with an extra shot if I’m feeling sluggish. Or an earl grey tea in the afternoons.

 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I have a tight-knit family, so during the weekdays you can find me catching up with my sister or making fun dinners plates for myself with my vintage cookbooks. On the weekends, I bartend on the side for a cute local farm & small wedding venue. I also have a thrifting obsession, so just getting to spend an afternoon going to all my local thrifts is always a good time. (It’s really just an obsession for finding all things vintage—just a vintage soul over here in love with old things). Sometimes you can find me shooting a wedding or shooting in film too. (Before I came to HMS to work I was an elopement photographer.) Or you can find me planning my next adventure oversees, but most likely you can find me spending time with the best people around—people who feel like home. <3

 

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Orange County, California but always traveling to New Zealand where my dad is originally from. (Fun fact: I have two citizenships. One for NZ & one for the US).

 

Where do you live?

I live in Orange County, California in a cute condo that I’m obsessed with because I am almost finished decorating and I live with a roommate who I grew up with! But next year, if I’m able to get in, I might possibly be going to in NZ for 3-months.

 

Most life-changing book or podcast?

I find this is a challenging one, because every book I read leaves me altered in some way. Growing up I was a reader and had a vivid imagination of worlds unknown. But for now I’ll say Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen or The Apricot Memoirs by Tess Guinery

 

Favorite quote?

Gosh another hard one! Haha I have a couple off the top of my head:

 

“Fall in love with taking care of yourself. Fall in love with the path of deep healing. Fall in love with becoming the best version of yourself but with patience, with compassion and respect your journey.” —S. Mcnutt

 

“I picture prayers to be much like wind: words carried by breaths, circling and giving momentum to sounds of hope.” — Tess Guinery

 

“Speak in gold beams with the women of your walk, and hold those harvest words, letting kinds lead your talk.” — Tess Guinery

 

“It is a beautiful thing to know we have enough space inside to feel multiple things at the same time without the complexity making any one of them unimportant, or less valuable.”—Hillary L McBride

 

What are you most passionate about at the moment? / What is bringing you the most joy at this moment?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot. And for me, it’s about connection. I love connecting with people. I’ve been thinking about what is eternal and its relationships and the people we surround ourselves with who feel like home. Life is so short and I think it’s easy to forget that. It can all be taken away in an instant, so I’ve been on a mission to live the life I’ve always dreamed of in my short time here. I ask myself, what am I pouring my time into? Is it giving me joy or taking it away? How we spend our time matters because we can’t get it back. It truly is our most valuable resource and I choose to spend it with the people who matter most.

 

Follow Natalie on Instagram

 

Shelby, Social Media Manager

 

What’s your human design?

5/1 Generator

 

What are your big 3? (Sun, Moon, Rising)

Taurus, Sagittarius, Taurus

 

What is your enneagram type?

9, The Peacemaker

What’s your coffee (or tea) order?

Iced Dirty Chai with Oat Milk

 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I’m a big fan of all things wellness and fashion. I love my morning Pilates, trips to Erewhon, finding cute new outfits, or even just journaling & reading at home!

 

Where did you grow up?

I’m from California but I grew up between Hawaii & New Zealand!

 

Where do you live?

San Clemente, CA

 

Most life-changing book or podcast?

Anything by Don Miguel Ruiz! When I first read The Five Agreements & The Mastery of Love in high school it fundamentally changed my perspective on life moving forwards.

 

Favorite quote?

“Everything makes sense in hindsight”

 

What are you most passionate about at the moment? / What is bringing you the most joy at this moment?

My work is bringing me the most joy at the moment! I truly adore High Moon Studio & the team. In my personal life, I am most passionate about creating routine – I do best with structure according to my human design.

 

Follow Shelby on Instagram 

 

Fi, Developer

 

What’s your human design?

1/3 Projector

 

What are your big 3? (Sun, Moon, Rising)

LEO, SCORPIO, GEMINI

 

What is your enneagram type?

Type 3, the Achiever

What’s your coffee (or tea) order?

Peppermint Tea

 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Home organisation (love me a label maker), cooking/baking, reading, online shopping, catching up with friends over dinner, having brunch out at the weekend.

 

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Melbourne and moved to the UK when I was 5, we lived in Buckinghamshire

 

Where do you live?

I live in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

 

Most life-changing book or podcast?

I’d probably have to say Harry Potter as it started my love affair with books when I was a kid. I also read The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold as a teenager and it’s always stayed with me as one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read.

 

Favorite quote?

“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.” – Budda

 

What are you most passionate about at the moment? / What is bringing you the most joy at this moment?

Honestly, my work – I get such satisfaction from the mix of creative and technical work that I do and for the most part, I enjoy every single workday. I’m newly married and I feel so much joy when spending time with my husband – I’m so incredibly grateful for him and all that we have achieved together.

 

Follow Fi on Instagram

 

Celsey, Designer

 

What’s your human design?

Manifesting Generator

 

What are your big 3? (Sun, Moon, Rising)

Leo, Aries, Libra

 

What is your enneagram type?

Type 4, The Individualist

 

What’s your coffee (or tea) order?

Iced White Mocha w oat milk

 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Brunch dates, reading, spending time with family & friends, long walks & watching tiktok for far too long 😅

 

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in a small town in South Wales called Brynmawr (it means big hill in welsh! lol) – moved to the city in 2019.

 

Where do you live?

I currently live in Cardiff, Wales.

 

Most life-changing book or podcast?

Atomic Habits, You are a Badass & currently reading The Mountain is You which is sooo good. Any podcast by Ed Mylett is worth listening to, also been loving Mood by Lauren Elizabeth at the moment.

 

Favorite quote?

“A girl who is going to do big things, cannot let small things get to her”

 

What are you most passionate about at the moment? / What is bringing you the most joy at this moment?

I’m really enjoying creating new routines and good habits that support and work for me currently. Being able to live some-what normally again after the pandemic and spending time w friends and family is something i’ve been really loving and getting used to again – I recently got engaged so have been very much enjoying celebrating with everyone!

 

Follow Celsey on Instagram

 

STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM NOW WE HERE.

 

 

 DON’T QUIT YOUR DAYDREAM, Y’ALL.

xoxo Alex

 

What to learn more about growing and scaling your agency? Alex shared her tips & tricks from scaling from a solopreneur to an entrepreneur to hiring a team! Read the blog post here!