“It’s not just about designing something that looks good, it’s about creating a brand that truly represents the business and supports its growth.”
Melissa Horvat of Graphika has been a professional graphic designer for over 27 years.
Melissa has worked in leading advertising agencies and design studios before starting her own business Graphika in 2009. Graphika was born to share her graphic design skills with the world while creating a work-life-balance for her family.
After years in the design industry, Melissa had the experience and skills, but wanted the freedom to build something of her own while still being present for her kids. Melissa had been freelancing as a designer for a few years and decided to make it a full-time business. What began as a small setup at home has grown into an award-winning agency.
Now, at Graphika, Melissa helps professional service-based business owners create clear, credible brands that support growth, trust and long term success with her branding services.
Melissa launched Your Brand School in 2025 as an extension to the business. It is a membership to help business owners save time and money by learning the fundamentals of branding through masterclasses and resources, Al tools and templates.
Melissa loves working closely with business owners, and playing a part in bringing their vision to life and seeing the transformation. Watching someone go from feeling unsure about their brand to feeling confident, clear, and proud of how they show up.
Melissa says, “It’s not just about designing something that looks good, it’s about creating a brand that truly represents the business and supports its growth.”
“Being part of the HerBusiness Network gives me support, ideas, and accountability… helps me stay motivated.”
Melissa has been a Member of the HerBusiness Network since 2022, and shares that being part of the HerBusiness Network removes the feeling of doing business alone. “It gives me a community of women who are all building and growing businesses, along with support, ideas, and accountability. Whether it’s a Growth Group or online learning it helps me stay motivated.”
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
I have so many favourites! I’m most inspired by people who build businesses that align with their values, give them freedom, and create real impact for others.
Amy Porterfield because she’s built a business that simplifies online marketing and education for business owners. I admire how she combines clarity, teaching, and strategy in a way that makes business feel more accessible and less overwhelming.
Steven Bartlett because I feel like he is super authentic in the content he delivers and I just love his voice. ;)
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
I started my business to create a better work-life balance for me and my family. After years in the design industry, I had the experience and skills, but I wanted the freedom to build something of my own while still being present for my kids. I had been freelancing as a designer for a few years before and decided to make it a full-time business. What began as a small setup at home has grown into an award-winning agency.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
I really value the freedom that comes with running my own business, the ability to shape my work, choose the clients I work with, and build something that aligns with my life and values.
I love working closely with business owners, and playing a part in bringing their vision to life and seeing the transformation. Watching someone go from feeling unsure about their brand to feeling confident, clear, and proud of how they show up.
It’s not just about designing something that looks good, it’s about creating a brand that truly represents the business and supports its growth.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- Understanding pricing, profit, and cash flow early on makes such a difference. When you value your work properly and make confident financial decisions, it sets the foundation for a sustainable business.
- I used to believe systems would slow me down or take away from creativity, but the opposite is true. Good systems create structure, consistency, and freedom, and they allow you to focus more on the work you actually enjoy.
- It’s easy to say yes to everything when you’re starting out, but long-term success comes from focusing on the work you genuinely enjoy.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
Just start… momentum matters more than perfection, and build something that aligns with the life you actually want, not just what looks successful from the outside.
Be really clear on what you do, who you help, and how you solve their problem. You don’t need everything perfect to begin, but you do need a strong foundation. From there, focus on building consistency rather than constantly changing direction.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
If you’re starting a business, I’d focus early on a few key areas: understanding how to price your services properly, learning basic marketing and how to communicate your value, and setting up simple systems to keep things organised.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
My ideal business is one that feels balanced. I’m doing work I enjoy, working with clients who value what I do, and running a business that feels organised and sustainable, both creatively and financially. I’d also have a service/product that I can sell one-to-many.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
Being part of the HerBusiness Network removes the feeling of doing business alone. It gives me a community of women who are all building and growing businesses, along with support, ideas, and accountability. Whether it’s a Growth Group or online learning it helps me stay motivated.
Learn more about Melissa and Graphika.
