Today we’d like to introduce you to Meriwether McLaurin.
Hi Meriwether, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Meriwether, Owner and Designer of Meriwether Designs; a full-service stationery and signage studio located in Raleigh, North Carolina. My introduction into the wedding industry started in 2014 when I created handlettered signage for my brother’s wedding. My entrepreneurial spirit sparked from this moment and blossomed over the coming years. I started my business providing handlettered signage on chalkboards and mirrors for family. This grew from family, to friends, to strangers. Over the years my clientele changed, my services expanded and evolved, I continuously took on more business each year alongside my corporate job, and word of mouth propelled my business forward over the years.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would own my own business one day, let alone leave the corporate bubble that I was comfortable in. I was terrified of change and stepping outside of my comfort zone/taking any risk. It wasn’t until my son was born that I had to make a decision regarding Meriwether Designs. It had grown into what felt like a second full time job and I knew I couldn’t take on both while being the mom and wife I wanted to be. After 5 years of actively building my business alongside my corporate job, I went full-time with Meriwether Designs in April 2023. Today, I am proud and honored to have been a part of over 350 wedding days!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Owning your own business, while being a working stay at home mom brings on many challenges and obstacles. It was one thing to build my business as a side hustle – I did it solely because I loved it and there was little to no financial pressure to bring in more clients. When going full time, and truly focusing on growth and building my business to help provide for my family, there were many bumps, learning curves and tons of trial and error – some that I am still working on today.
A few obstacles that I have faced over the years were time management, pricing with confidence (knowing the value of the experience and expertise I provide my clients and the value of my time), setting up automations and processes, and setting healthy boundaries. As an entrepreneur, I wear a lot of hats to run my business (finances, onboarding, contracts, marketing, design, website management, production, etc). This can and has lead to many seasons of burnout. The more time that passes and the more experience I have under my belt, I continually build confidence in all of these areas. It has not been a smooth road, but I am so proud of where I am today and the business I have built.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Meriwether Designs is a full-service design studio specializing in wedding invitations and day-of signage and paper goods. Some examples of signage and paper goods featured on a wedding day include a welcome sign, seating chart, bar menu, menus, place cards, decor pieces, etc.
I am so proud of the business I have built, the experience and care that I extend to my clients, the work and designs that I have created, stretching myself outside of my comfort zone and the community I have surrounded myself in over the years.
What are your plans for the future?
This year I have invested in myself and my business for the first time by joining a mastermind group with other stationers across the United States. I would love to continue to be a part of an uplifting and encouraging community and would love to create something similar for our local stationers to connect, support and encourage one another in their businesses. Community is so important – community over competition always!
I also look forward to expanding my team in the future. I hope to hire for the first time in 2026!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meriwetherdesignsnc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meriwetherdesigns/
