Mikayla Trotta of Jacksonville, North Carolina on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Mikayla Trotta and have shared our conversation below.

Mikayla, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
Many people think we just make “pretty” logos. While a nice-looking logo is part of the job, our real goal is to create strategic branding systems and websites. The most misunderstood part of our process is the strategy phase. Most people assume it’s boring and unnecessary, but it’s the most important step, especially for new businesses.

We like to share this quote for perspective: “Think of your brand as a building. Strategy is the blueprint; visuals are the paint. You can’t build a strong structure on aesthetics alone.”

We always start with a brand strategy. To do this, we have clients fill out a detailed questionnaire. It helps them organize their thoughts while giving us a clear understanding of who they are, why they do what they do, and what they expect visually.

Next, we create a document that outlines their unique business, including their brand story, mission statement, brand pillars, target audience, and messaging. Then, we get to the fun part: the visual direction, which includes a mood board, color palette, and photography.

By creating a strong foundation, we have a clear direction before we even start designing. This helps us ensure the final branding system is a perfect fit for the client. Otherwise, without a clear direction what are we designing for? We don’t operate off a “shot in the dark” mentality. Everything is planned with purpose.

So, while we do create beautiful brands, it’s all built on a solid strategy.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We are Dream Stories Creative, a brand and web design studio in Jacksonville, North Carolina. However, we are rebranding as Trotta by Design. We decided to make this change because we have reached a turning point in our studio and is heading in a new direction. The rebrand was prompted by a shift in focus toward more local businesses, with a particular emphasis on web design. This new name, Trotta by Design, also reflects a significant change to our team: My husband, Giovanni, has joined the team. The new name acknowledges his contribution and the studio’s evolution.

Trotta By Design unites the distinct talents of two experienced designers, a husband-wife team, driven by a shared passion for design. We empower small business owners in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and beyond, with comprehensive branding and web design services, expanding their reach and elevating their businesses.

Our collaborative approach, rooted in partnership, delivers a refined and elevated experience, proving that two minds truly are better than one. We craft bespoke brand experiences, recognizing every business journey is uniquely its own. We meet you not just where you are, but where you aspire to be.

Over ten years ago, a shared passion for design brought us together. What began as a friendship fueled by late-night talks about typography and color quickly evolved into a husband-and-wife partnership. We discovered a natural synergy, always pushing creative boundaries and complementing each other’s strengths. This journey, built on mutual respect and shared experiences, is the foundation of how we work.

We understand the journey of building something from the ground up, and we’re committed to helping you tell your unique brand story through effective, beautiful design. We treat our clients as an extension of our team, fostering an approachable and trustworthy environment where your vision is heard and handled with care. Collaborating closely with you, we ensure your goals are met with professional and expert guidance.

At our core, we’re still those two design enthusiasts from over a decade ago, now with a unified mission: to craft impactful brand identities and digital experiences that truly resonate.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I was convinced I was a shy, quiet, and scared kid—too afraid to speak up for fear of judgment. I was extremely cautious, always needing to see how things would go for others before I’d try something myself. I didn’t have enough confidence to trust myself or my path. I truly believed this was just who I was.

While I found confidence on the soccer field, I was looking for it in a career. I eventually found it in design, and that confidence has carried me through college and into my life today. If you had asked me as a kid if I’d ever be a business owner, I would have laughed and said I had no interest. But here I am, five years into self-employment, and I wouldn’t change a thing. It has given me so much flexibility. It hasn’t always been easy—there have been plenty of moments of self-doubt and imposter syndrome—but I’m seeing the other side of those challenges now.

My advice is simple: Go for it. I spent most of my life holding myself back because I was too intimidated. There’s no harm in trying, and you never know where it could lead. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t taken that leap of faith.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely! I definitely remember moments when I wanted to give up but didn’t, because a part of me knew I could do it. I can remember back to my college days going through tough classes and wondering if I was even good enough or if I would ever be “industry ready”. I think a lot of professors have expectations that our design careers would take us to the corporate world and that would be instilled in us that was “success” so there was pressure to be good enough to perform at that level or the expectation that by graduation we need to be there.

Once I graduated and started my own business I certainly had many moments of wanting to give up. The negative self-talk has come in to play a lot. I started wondering if what I was doing was worth it and I started to diminish my self-worth for being “self-employed” without much success early on. It’s like I didn’t have the authority to be starting out on my own instead of getting a corporate job.

I’ve learned over the years to stay grounded and eventually my confidence has built up to a point where I can stand firm in my authority as a designer clients can trust me with their business.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The idea that being a designer is easy and anyone can do it is one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry. While design tools have become more accessible, and many people have an eye for aesthetics, professional design is about much more than just making things look pretty.

It ignores the technical skills and strategy. A professional designer’s work is rooted in strategy, not just creativity. It requires a deep understanding of typography, color theory, layout, and user experience. A designer doesn’t just pick a font because they like it; they choose one based on its readability, the brand’s personality, and how it will function across different platforms. This involves much more than just a quick sketch or a few clicks in an app.

It undervalues the expertise and experience. The “anyone can do it” lie also devalues the years of practice and education that professional designers invest in their craft. A designer’s portfolio isn’t just a collection of pretty pictures; it’s a testament to their ability to solve complex problems and deliver effective, strategic solutions.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I had 10 years left, I would stop worrying about what other people thought about me or how I was running my business. At the end of the day, nobody else is running my business but me and welcoming outside noise doesn’t help with growth. I can get fooled by what others are doing in their own business and think I need to be doing that in mine to be successful because they are.

It comes down to following what other business owners are doing on social media and turning a blind eye to trends and influences. Sometimes it’s a self conscious thought where I don’t think I’m absorbing content but it sticks in my head and suddenly I find myself trying to implement strategies in my business that don’t serve me.

Instead of worrying about what others think, I would focus that energy on what I can control, the quality of my work and the relationships I build with my clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dreamstoriescreative.com
• Instagram: dreamstoriescreative

Image Credits
Personal Brand Photo: Jenna Corley Photo