The MNY Spotlight
Caroline Frierson, Graphic Designer, Blogger, and Founder of Sweet Caroline Designs
Caroline wears our Georgiana Gown 7 months after having a baby! She really does it all.
Introduce yourself!
Hi y’all! I’m Caroline Frierson Hernandez, owner of Sweet Caroline Designs. I was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana and currently live here now with my husband, Brett, my two daughters, Mignonne (2) and Margot (7M) and our goldendoodle, George. I graduated from The University of Mississippi with a BA in Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design. After college, I returned back to Louisiana and began Sweet Caroline Designs about 12 years ago designing custom paper goods and stationery. Through the years, Sweet Caroline Designs has evolved so much. I began designing custom paper, to having a brick and mortar, to wholesale and now a lifestyle blog and e-commerce website.
Caroline is wearing a core piece for Mestiza, the Georgiana Gown in Porcelain Chinoiserie.
What characteristics (cultural, personality etc) make you unique?
I think one thing that makes me unique, I think is how I grew up. I was born and raised on a farm in North Louisiana called Frierson Plantation. My family still lives there and my dad and brother still farm to this day. The farm just celebrated 100 years in 2019. I guess you could call me a true Southern Belle. I’m very proud to be from the South and I love the culture and the southern traditions. I think some of that plays into my designs as well!
What motivated you to start Sweet Caroline Designs?
I have always been creative my whole life and I knew I wanted to start something on my own whether it was own a design business or have my own shop. I’ve always had a very determined personality and when I set my mind to something, I’m going to do it! I love paper and stationery and started designing things for fun in college. I worked at a stationery store for 2 years and once I gained the confidence to go out on my own I did!
Caroline's Custom Invitations are available on her website, sweetcarolinedesigns.com
What is the most rewarding aspect about what you do?
The most rewarding aspect of what I do is that I get to do what I love but I also get to include my two precious daughters in my work. When I started my lifestyle blog, I began sharing more of my life, home and family. My followers have been so kind and sweet and so supportive of my small business and so loving to me and my family. I love to engage with my followers too.
How do you interpret “invest in yourself?” and what are the types of things you do to invest in/ empower yourself?
For me, it would be doing something for yourself every day and for me that is exercising. I love to run. I started running in college. I have run 8 half marathons and would love to do that again one day when I have more time. I start my day every morning with a 3-4 mile run and I think that makes me a better mom because it’s something I do for me that makes me feel good about myself. It’s also a time that I clear my head and do lots of thinking and imagining.
Why is it important to you to empower women?
I think it’s important to empower women to believe that they can do anything they set their mind to but also show my daughters that hard work pays off. I love supporting female owned businesses. I know how hard it is personally and the sacrifices they make. Through the years, I have met so many wonderful women that have guided me and supported me.
What draws you to the Mestiza brand?
I love Mestiza because it empowers women and supports female owned businesses. I love that it was started by two women as well and I love that they want to design and make dresses that truly can be worn for all different occasions and are affordable as well. I love my gown. Talk about a dress that will take you places. The fit was perfect. I am petite and It’s hard to find dresses that fit. This one fit me perfectly which hardly ever happens. Also, I was so impressed by the quality. The fabric is stunning.
How did you like your Mestiza piece?! Any details on how it fit or made you feel?
I think I accidentally just answered that above, ha-ha. I LOVE my dress. It makes me feel so pretty, especially for just having a baby 7 months ago. The fit is truly amazing. I’ve never had a gown that fit me this well.
Please share an inspirational tip to someone looking to follow your footsteps.
My tip would be, stay true to yourself and if you love something, you will do it well. Also, BALANCE would have to be my other big tip. I’m not perfect but I try to balance being a being a mother (my most favorite job by far), a business owner, a wife and a friend. I have so much passion for what I do and I think that shines through. I’m so grateful for my design business I have created and feel so fortunate to have my blog as well where I’m able to share my life. I love my girls so much and I hope they look up to me one day and know that everything I do is for them.
