Friends of Tellurian Treasures | Hannah Pellatt

I was introduced to Hannah through one of my best friends in 2017. We’ve become good friends ever since and both share a passion for graphic design and food!

Hannah recently made the brave decision in 2020 to quit the 9-5 and set out on her own as a freelance graphic designer and life coach. I admire her bravery and her ambition, so I decided to reach out to her for my Friends of Tellurian Treasures interview series to find out more about how the past year has been for her.

I asked Hannah some questions about owning her own business, creativity and some questions are ‘just for fun’. I’ve also shared some links at the bottom of this post to her website and social media pages for you to find out more about her.

♡ Please show Hannah some support and give her a follow! ♡

1) When did you realise it was time to quit the 9-5 and start something new?

Let’s see… I think it was the summer of 2018. The idea of quitting my job had been in the back of my mind for a while, but I hadn’t really listened to it! I was so focused on being what other people would see as ‘successful’ that I wasn’t paying attention to the warning signs in my brain and body that the fast-paced corporate world just wasn’t working for me. At this point, I’d done my degree in Graphic Design and been in my career for 4 years – I loved the work itself, but not the amount of stress I was under. Finally, I listened to that little voice in my head and decided that things had to change!

Being able to be creative and get paid for it sounded like a dream. And it is, when you work with the right clients!
Hannah Pellatt

2) 2020 has been a strange year to say the least. How has 2020 been for you?

Where to begin! There have definitely been too many ups and downs in the last year to count. I came back from South America in March 2020 and kick-started my business. Obviously, this coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic and the national lockdown, which was a struggle from the financial side of things. I’m thankful to say that work has picked up now, both as a design freelancer and in my coaching business. I think like most people, I quite enjoyed the slower pace of life that lockdown bought – it gave me the gift of time and meant the setup of my businesses was done and dusted pretty quickly. I have missed the freedom and inspiration of normal life though, so I’m glad we’re nearing the end now (fingers crossed).

3) You studied graphic design – What drew you to the subject?

I always liked arts and crafts as a kid, and I jumped at the chance to study graphic design at GCSE level (mostly because you got to make a board game and I thought that was fun!). It felt like a natural progression really, I can’t remember ever wanting to do something else. Being able to be creative and get paid for it sounded like a dream. And it is, when you work with the right clients!

4) Do you have a favourite creation/design/project that you’re particularly proud of?

I was asked to design the branding for the graduation at my University the year after I left. I remember feeling so proud that they’d chosen me. I created this fun confetti-themed design which I tried to make really modern (geometric and gradients were really in at the time!)

graduation branding by Hannah Pellatt — Graduation branding by Hannah Pellatt

5) You’re also a life and wellness coach – what drew you to coaching?

I wanted to make more of a difference to the world and knew that helping others was incredibly important to me.So that’s where the idea stemmed from! My passion for health and wellness has been growing throughout the years and I decided I wanted more of it. I wanted to be fully immersed. When I initially quit my job, it was my aim to be a coach full-time, but once I went self-employed, I realised I didn’t want to let go of the creativity that graphic design gave me. So here I am doing both and loving it!

6) What’s your favorite thing about being self employed?

Freedom!!! It’s honestly the best thing. I always struggled working in an office as there’s never anywhere to have some down time. Like you can’t just chill on the sofa with your feet up and sometimes I need to do that to re-energise. Or if I’ve had a bad night’s sleep, I can have a slow morning. It’s been miraculous for my mental wellbeing!

I think like most people, I quite enjoyed the slower pace of life that lockdown bought – it gave me the gift of time and meant the setup of my businesses was done and dusted pretty quickly.
Hannah Pellatt

7) How would you say creativity improves your life?

When I’m being creative, I can really get into a flow. I love that about it. I can lose hours being creative (in the best way). I also think it allows me to see the beauty in the world – I’ll always spot cool graffiti, shop window displays, interior design. So many ways to be inspired!

8) Just for fun – If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

Oh, this is such a difficult question! I have to say, the more I see of New Zealand, the more I love it. I’ve never actually been but the landscapes look incredible. Having lived in London during lockdown, I’m craving the outdoors and spaciousness. I could totally imagine myself driving round in a campervan, living the dream.

9) Do you have a favourite place in nature? If so, where?

A forest or a beautiful beach. Both of them feel so serene to me. The sounds and smells of nature – is there anything more calming!

10) You have to eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

I used to be such a breakfast gal but that’s really switched in the last year. I think I want to say pizza. There are so many topping combinations, and I just can’t imagine getting bored of it. Now you’ve got my daydreaming about pizza… with artichokes and olives and really good mozzerella.

11) What are some of your other passions and hobbies?

As you mentioned, I really like to cook and experiment in the kitchen. I typically use recipes as ‘guides’ and go a bit wild. Cooking dinner is always so therapeutic for me and gives me that separation between work and home life. I also enjoy yoga but I’m not that serious about it, I do it for how it makes my mind, body and soul feel.

12) What would you say brings you the most joy?

Another tricky question! I just tried to visualise what my best day ever would be and exploring a new place was what popped up. Those days when you wonder round a new city, and you happen to find the perfect place to eat. Or you turn up somewhere just at the right time. That spontaneous serendipity feeling!