Holly Holliday

I attribute my success to the passion I've had for this industry since high school and staying focused on what I wanted to do. My father was a huge influence he ran his own manufacturing business and came from nothing in the 20s to become very successful through hard work and grit. Watching his life path and learning from books like Think and Grow Rich that he taught me instilled in me the belief that I could do it as well. I got that driven part from him. My education at Parsons School of Design taught me everything I know conceptually about design, and then working at Calvin Klein and Donna Karan became like my grad schools where I learned so much from people in the industry. I've always known that I wanted to have my own business, and starting my business nine years ago has been my biggest accomplishment. I'm very structured and intentional about my work, blocking out my calendar for different tasks so I can get as much done as possible. I love what I do so much that working long hours is just fun for me, though I've learned to be more conscious about work-life balance. As long as I'm helping my clients and making a difference - which is my mission statement, MAD - it just lights me up. I'm very passionate about my business because I've worked really hard, I've had my eye on the ball, and it's paid off.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to let go of the belief that you have to do everything on your own. When I started my business, I tried to handle every role marketing, sales, operations, and more and quickly realized it pulled me away from my true zone of genius. Growth comes from asking for help, building community, and surrounding yourself with mentors and people who support and challenge you. I’m part of an incredible group of women entrepreneurs, including a daily 6 a.m. call where we focus on gratitude and our goals, and those relationships have been instrumental in both my mindset and my success. Entrepreneurship can feel isolating, but the right community changes everything. When you stay aligned with your strengths, seek support, and lead with passion, your business grows in a more natural and sustainable way.

One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is the gap between creativity and business strategy. When I attended Parsons, the focus was primarily on art and design, and while that foundation was invaluable, many creatives still enter the industry without a strong understanding of the business side of their craft. Even today, I see entrepreneurs and artists struggling to balance creative expression with the realities of running a business, often prioritizing the work they love while unintentionally overlooking key areas like pricing, profitability, and client acquisition. I’ve experienced this myself and had to work through it by leaning on mentors and intentionally focusing on the financial side of my business, not just the creative side, because sustainability requires both. The opportunity right now is that those who can successfully bridge creativity with strong business strategy truly stand out, as there is a growing demand for creatives who not only produce great work but also understand how to position, market, and sell it effectively.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, hard work, community, and service. I was raised by a father who built his own manufacturing business from the ground up, and his grit and determination shaped my own approach to life and business, teaching me that success requires both resilience and purpose. My personal mission is “MAD Make a Difference,” and that belief guides everything I do, from supporting nonprofits to helping coaches and women-led businesses grow. I’m deeply committed to community and stay connected through women’s networking groups and a daily 6 a.m. call with fellow entrepreneurs, where we focus on gratitude and accountability. At the heart of my work, I’m driven by impact whether through my clients or organizations like Recovery Café Greensboro, Mustard Seed, and Pfister.org and I find the most fulfillment in using my business to serve others, build connection, and create meaningful change.