We had the good fortune of connecting with Becca Waugh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Becca, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After losing several jobs due to layoffs during the pandemic, I knew I had the skills, ability and ambition to go into business for myself, even if it was for a brief time before landing another job. Starting Sleepy Panther Design Co was about taking a step in a new direction and it has fortunately worked out in amazing, unexpected ways.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an artist who is experiencing an exciting time in my career.

I launched my graphic design & illustration company, Sleepy Panther Design Co, 3 years ago (this May) and it keeps me busy with creative work for clients, many of whom are local small business owners and startups. I love connecting with my community and providing design work & illustrations that help them propel their businesses forward.

The act of creating is always a playful experiment. With visual art, I enjoy playing with color, pattern and themes from pop-culture or personal life, often with a comedic undertone. Art serves as a way for me to process and interact with the world.

I’ve been playing guitar and writing new songs recently as well. I’ve played a few open mics within the last month and will most likely put together an album in the future but I’m just taking my time with it. The songs will be ready when they are (and when I am ready) to play them.

There are always lessons to learn. A lesson I take with me is that it’s never too late to create and live how you desire, never too late to shift your focus as you see fit. We aren’t made to do just one thing or be just one way. I focus on my values and work toward achieving goals, big and small, that support those values. The more you can authentically be yourself in the world, the more the world will authentically support you.

Right now I have two main brands, Sleepy Panther Design Co and my personal brand of artwork under my name Becca Waugh. The main message to relay about myself and these creative vessels is that I am open to work with those who share my values- people who honor creative expression, freedom of choice and of love, and who value moving our world into a more peaceful, supportive, and caring place. Also people who like to have fun!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

– [ ] Shows/Concerts – Tulips or The Cicada
– [ ] Coffee – Avoca, Cherry Coffee, Love Local
– [ ] Paddle board and Bike the Trinity Trails
– [ ] Hike Samson park
– [ ] Food – Coco shrimp, Paris Coffee Shop, Velvet Taco, Pizza Verde, Reata, Uncle Julio’s
– [ ] Ambient music at UTA planetarium
– [ ] Yoga – hot yoga at Core Power or free yoga on Clearfork Trailhead
– [ ] Clearfork Farmer’s market
– [ ] Jackie O’s karaoke on Monday
– [ ] Birdie’s open mic on Wednesday
– [ ] Local artisan markets – Birdie’s, Rock’n’Roll Rummage sale, Wandering Roots
– Visual art/artists to see: Jana Renee, Ariel Davis, Katie Paintbrush, Mariell Guzman
– Bands/musicians to hear: Katie Robertson, Ginny Mac, Denver Williams & the Gas money, Generational Wealth, Tiny Giants
– [ ] Boche ball & happy hour at Pinstripes
– [ ] Shopping at The Roadrunner Stop
– [ ] Dive bars – The Boiled Owl, The Chat Room, Down n’ Out, Low Doubt
– [ ] Free Friday at The Modern, Arts Fort Worth
– [ ] Jazz at Scat Jazz Lounge
– [ ] Cocktails – Atlas, Tarantula Tiki, Proper
– [ ] Longhorn cattle drive & country music in the Stockyards

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout to my family for being a continuous support throughout my life. They may not always understand or like the choices I make but they love and support me regardless and I am eternally grateful for that. (My parents always help me sling my coloring books too, lol).

I’d like also shoutout to my good friend Marissa Soto who runs the Arlington Locals TikTok and Instagram pages where she is able to highlight and promote businesses, people and experiences in Arlington. She works her booty off running the pages solo and deserves recognition for all her efforts supporting the Arlington community.
Yanira Borges and Keitha Spears are friends who I’d like to give a shoutout to. Yanira and Keitha support women in Fort Worth and surrounding areas with their women’s networking group SheDares Collective. SheDares is more than just business networking for women, it serves as a platform to bring women together where real lasting friendships and connections are made.

Website: www.beccawaugh.com

Instagram: @beccawaugh

Other: www.sleepypanther.com Instagram: @sleepypanther.co

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.