Distinctive designer

The night her father was killed in a tragic car accident, Holly Husel had a revelation. “As I watched my grandfather share the news with my mom… I knew at that moment that I had to step up, take care of my mom, and honour my father every day of my life.” She had just turned seven three days earlier.

After graduating from NAIT’s marketing program in 1999, Holly went on to the University of Lethbridge Edmonton Campus to earn a Bachelor of management degree in 2003. That same year, Holly launched Freckle Creative—Distinctive Marketing & Design.

Freckle? “Oh that… when I was little, I was really self-conscious about my freckles—especially one on the end of my nose. But my Auntie told me that is was my ‘lucky mark’. Now I tell clients the new logos we design are their lucky marks.”

In the early days of Freckle, 80-hour weeks and creative multi-tasking became second nature. “There were often times I was changing my clothes while driving between the office and soccer practice,” laughs Holly. “At a red light, off came heels and on went the cleats.”

Holly’s company has grown to six employees and accrued an impressive list of clients that range from small businesses to billion dollar corporations to provincial government departments and everything in between.

The 27-year-old is actively involved in Edmonton’s United Way, and sits on the communications committee of the GO Community Centre, a proposed $36-million multi-use training facility at John Fry Park. Holly also enjoys giving monthly lectures on the art of creating feasible business plans and marketing strategies to would-be entrepreneurs at the Microbusiness Training Centre.

The self-described “truck-driving outdoor girl” likes to spend her downtime playing on two soccer teams, 4×4 off-roading, and training for the Great Canadian Death Race at Grande Cache on the August long weekend. Another success: Holly completed her 19 kilometre segment in two hours; the four-gal/one guy team was first in their category with a winning time of 17 hours.

But no matter how busy she is, Holly remains a dedicated daughter, never forgetting the commitment she made 20 years ago.

No question: Holly’s father would be proud of his freckle-faced little girl. √

Photo by Teresa Wallsten