Meet Crystal Logan | Freelance Designer & Marketer

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

Hi Crystal, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Honestly, Northern DFW Happenings is in its infancy. I’m not even sure I would categorize it as a business. In the Last year and a half to 2 years, I started working more and more in-person markets and events with my craft business CbyCGraphicDesign (Creations by Crystal Graphic Design). Last Fall is when I really realized just how many markets, festivals, and events were happening in my area on the same days and times. As a vendor, it would be frustrating looking around trying to find events to sign up for but it was also at times frustrating to find out or hear people later say well had I realized that event was so close to this other one that I went to, I’d have gone there too.

There are a number of Facebook groups available that people can join, The organizations, businesses, or groups post and promote on their own pages, but a place you can go to find out what all is going on in the area, without having to join a group, follow a ton of pages or sources. There isn’t a centralized place. In a place that says there are multiple events in a small area on the same date, you can see what all is happening.

People want things simple and easy to find, they don’t want to have to look all over the place. So I spent a lot of time thinking up the name, what exactly would the coverage area be, small or local, and types of events and happenings. Who and what types of businesses and organizations are the ones I would like to support and work with. What types of happenings might people be interested in and what would just make it maybe more overkill and spammy.

Then there are the specifics how do I get the page in front of others? How do I attract others and entice them to let me feature them on the page?

Northern: honestly it just sounded and felt right, plus we are north of the metroplex. DFW: has always been home. Happenings: well it covers any type of event or thing I might come up with to promote and link to the page, markets, grand openings, classes, workshops, fundraisers, school events and notices, the list goes on.

The Events and Happening Coverage area is Primarily Denton to Prosper, Frisco, Little Elm, Aubrey, Pilot Point, and Celina., Then it’s down to Frisco, Little Elm, and the far north area of Lake Lewisville

I decided to go with just Facebook and Instagram pages, for now, for any event that could be open to people, free or available for people to sign up for I link to the Facebook page. The Features are ones I have written or verbal permission from people involved with those running the events to be promoting and posting about and those posts are usually on Facebook and Instagram. The page also gives me the ability to be promoting events that I’m not attending as a vendor so my customers don’t get confused and think hey she and her products will be here.

I promote the page at events I attend as well as in groups I am part of, but like with all businesses, it’s slow going. And right now at least for this area, I haven’t found another page like this. It was something needed so I took it upon myself to create. Both other Vendors and people I interact with both seem most receptive to the page. Particularly new people to the area who are like this is a great way to find out what is going on around here.

I try to think about the different types of things I would be looking for. What types of situations prompted me to be searching for things to do, day trips are one thing. I know a ton of Moms and Dads, I don’t have kids of my own but I have a ton of kids I’ve basically helped raise with close friends or cousins, and one thing is always things that would keep kids busy, interest them or learn new skills but that’s not only something kids like to do but adults too.

There are so many different types of things out there to do but to find it you really have to search. Do I get or catch everything? no. I’m one person who does my searches when I have the time. Occasionally people let me know about something that is going on and I link it. Features those are not as easy to come by, Some people respond when I reach out, others do not.

The page was created to be a source of where to go to find info, so there is no revenue generation. So far there is no forms to fill out to have information posted, I do own the domain, and I have a hosting plan so hosting won’t be an issue if I ever decide a website is the next step but at this time, It’s Facebook, Instagram, and an email address.

My plans for this fall when I am seeing more and more events that are on the same days with over lap times will be what I have done a few times already, do google maps showing just how close these locations are from each other. Hopefully, more people will follow the page, I’ll be able to diversify and have more feature posts to run, People will look to the page to find out in part of the figure and help plan some of what they want to do with their days; at least when it comes to going around and checking out small businesses and supporting things put on them.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
So I’m here for Northern DFW Happenings but my Heart is CbyCGraphicDesign on Facebook, Instagram, Etsy, even own my own domain. It started as a way to bring in some extra money, and I do a little bit of everything with that. From more boring and traditional with Labels, Business Cards, etc sometimes just designing other times designing and printing, and occasionally just printing. Then there has been custom scratch-offs, fliers, brochures, and jewelry cards. All of which are staples in my Etsy shop.

What had me open my Etsy shop was the childhood memory and couple memory books I designed to be kinda a hybrid scrapbook of sorts full of custom graphics and are completely rearrangeable. They sometimes appear at the markets as do my Fliers from my Personal Letters from Santa and Christmas Magic Kits, all these items before I ever sold them I was pretty much doing them for family members as gifts.

Other Community market favorites are the earring jewelry line I create with a friend, Vinyl Embellished Totes, Gift bags, wine bags, ornaments, magnets, paper craft kits, and really anything else I come up with at the time.

Now the good thing is being a designer, there are times I need Graphics to run for events or something made up really quickly to use on Northern DFW. When I need something done, or if someone asks if they can get help getting the image element created to be run, I’m a designer, a detail person, and a professional (at least I try to be most of the time) It’s something I can do and make sure it will look right and good at the end of the day. I have access to a lot of commercial licensed fonts and images, and I know about copyright and trademark. All of that gets used.

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?
So Lived all my life in the Dallas area that’s a tough one, including college at SMU sooooo.

Restaurants: Snuffers and have got to take them to the original one on Lower Greenville; Onion Rings at the original Sonny Bryans, Have ended up taking every out-of-town family member to Dave ‘n Busters, Benehania, Steve Fields; Randy’s Steak House

Sadly some of my favorite restaurants have shut down over the years as well as places to go

Places to Visit: West End, 6th Floor Museum, SMU Campus, TX-Ture Farm for the Alpacas, Dallas Zoo, Fortunata Winery, Dallas Arboretum, Galleria Mall

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mom, always stood beside and behind me, giving me the strength and courage to reach for my dreams and the stars.

My Father, honestly a lot of my marketing knowledge and business know-how I learned from listening to him growing up.

My Grandmother, If I can live half the life she has I’ll be a very lucky woman (have a photo of her and me included from a grandma/grandaughter trip.

Aunt Patty, Also always being there, and being my second mom, just like mom you gave me the strength and courage to reach for my dreams and the stars

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ndfwhappenings/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NDFWHappenings

Other: ndfwhappenings@gmail.com

Image Credits
most photos are personal photos but the couple with the Alpacas go to Callen Creative Photography, one of the photos I did put in the middle of a collage of photos I have taken from events or random product photos that I dub as my more creative side with the CbyCGraphicDesign Creations.