For all my life I have struggled to find exactly where I fit in to this world. I knew that I was creative, but I never knew what to do with my creativity outside of it being a hobby and an interest.

This idea all started way back when I created the logo and branding for The Dam Inn. I was looking for some advice from a former college professor of mine, who turned in to a massive inspiration for me, about what to include on my resume to help me stand out. She suggested that I mentioned The Dam Inn and how I rebranded the business and to really emphasize my creative marketing skills. She said to me “that is like.. a really huge deal.” I have carried those words with me ever since.

After I left The Dam Inn, I moved to Washington D.C. to put that resume that she helped me build to use, in hopes of finding a job in the city. Intense and overwhelming is an understatement. 100+ job applications... honestly, who can even remember. My frustration got the best of me and I packed my bags and moved to Pittsburgh. On my way to Pittsburgh, one of the museums that I had applied to called me for an interview. I laughed, called my mom, and ultimately decided to decline the interview. My self esteem was already completely destroyed and I didn’t want to get my hopes up again.

After about 2 weeks of living in Pittsburgh, I found myself working at the University of Pittsburgh, The Katz Graduate School of Business. I was the Program Coordinator for the Master of Science Programs. I loved that job and I love and miss my old co-workers so much. During my time there, I was managing the co-curricular events that were hosted by the school. I brought on a guest speaker who I had met through a friend. She was the founder and CEO of a small loan lending company that gives small business loans to minority owned businesses and start-ups. We got to talking one day over Zoom (covid times) and she asked if there were any marketing students at the school that were looking for a creative type internship. She needed some work done and thought it would be a great opportunity for a student to take on the task. I took it to my co-workers, but ultimately decided.. I could do that for her? She helped me out, why shouldn’t I return the favor? So I did. She was over the moon excited and happy about the work that I had done for her and she said to me, “Drew, you should do this type of work for companies - you don’t understand the need for someone like you when people are trying to start up their businesses.” Those words came back to me in that moment, I will never forget it - “that is like.. a really huge deal” and I thought to myself.. maybe?

Fast forward to present day, my skills and interest in the scope of work drove me to start up Visal. My mission for Visal is simple: To help folks like you create unique designs that capture your vision and bring it to life. Nothing more, nothing less.

My personal hope for this is to become useful to people who struggle with creativity. I have to fit in somewhere, so why not let it be here. The services that I’m offering are everything that I love and more, and I’m so excited to finally be doing everything that I love.