Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandy Lehman.
Hi Mandy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up drawing comic book characters. I always thought that’s what I would do the rest of my life. When college came around, I planned to major in computer animation. I thought I’d work at Pixar someday. Long story short, I ended up going into graphic design. I was bummed about it at the time, but years into it, I ended up getting a 3D animation internship anddddd I hated it. Sometimes, you have to trust the process.
Now, on my 11th year of having my own design business, MANMAN Studios, I’m grateful for all of the experiences I’ve had, good and bad. I can see how they’ve each shaped me and helped me grow and become a stronger and more resilient designer and business owner. I get to do what I love every day, I have a lot of creative freedom and the most amazing clients that many times turn into friends.
This life is not the one I dreamed of as an 18 year old setting off to achieve my biggest dreams. It’s much better.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not always been a smooth road! This past couple of years have been the hardest. Two years ago, my house (and place of business) burnt down. It was not only my home but also my best interior design portfolio piece and generated a lot of income for MANMAN Studios. We rented it out for events, photoshoots and overnights on Airbnb.
Everything I’d worked so hard for, everything I’d ever purchased or been gifted in my life was gone in a few hours. It was hard. Community rallied around my (now ex) husband and I, supporting us in ways I’d never dreamed I’d need.
Then I got a divorce. Although, it was a long time coming and definitely the right move, it wasn’t easy and it meant rebuilding my entire life completely on my own. I stepped back a lot from work these two years and from social media. I leaned into wellbeing practices and solo trips to center myself so that I thoroughly processed what I was going through, didn’t let myself run from it (like a typical Gemini/Type 7 enneagram like myself would typically do). I faced it head-on.
Now, I’m back in the house (it’s ready to rent again!) and back at MANMAN Studios full-time! Still, it hasn’t been easy to jump right back in where I left off. When you’ve been gone or have turned away work for that long, it takes time to rebuild those connections and for people to even remember you exist. Sometimes, I’ll be sitting here at @the1890brickyhouse…on a slow day…thinking…”man, I’ve got so much talent to give, surely someone could use it. Where are they? Who are they? How do I reach them?”
And then I take a breath. I get back to work on the projects I do have, the work I can do and know that this is just another moment in time that I had thought would look a little different but that I know will work out in the end. It’s just another renovation…one brick at a time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in graphic design and interior design. With graphic design, I have 20 YEARS of experience LMAO. It’s mind-blowing that I’ve been designing as long as it takes to fully-form into an adult.
I’ve had amazing opportunities though, working on projects for Nike, Anheuser-Busch, Goop, Nestle, Heinz and so many others that I could fill a book on just my experiences designing websites, logos, identity systems, marketing campaigns, social media strategies, packaging, print, apps, you name it, I’ve done it. I also love to work with non-profits and small businesses and start-ups. A good mix of bigco and small business keeps me feeling fresh!
With interior design, I’ve had over 90 projects in 7 years! I’ve been packing it in! Primarily focusing on Airbnbs and small businesses with a homeowner project every once in a while in between. With all of my interior projects, I focus primarily on bringing a story or feeling to life in the space. It’s more than just function and beauty, it’s about creating spaces that speak to us.
I also rent out @the1890brickyhouse (3500 sq ft of cozy vibes where I live and work and play). I rent it out as an Airbnb and also for photoshoots and events! My favorite thing about renting the house out is seeing all of the creative ways people use it and meeting new people in the city!
I’ve recently started a new side-hustle called @TheSocialites_Cincinnati where I partner with lots of different creatives throughout the city to design/coordinate and photograph events start to finish so that you, as the host, can “feel like a guest at your own party”. It’s a lot of fun!
One of the biggest attributes that sets me apart is how much I give back to my community. I created this non-profit 5 years ago, called @SocialsByMANMAN, where myself and a bunch of small businesses come together, each giving our individual talents to create a party and then we party together while photographers/videographers and content creators capture it all! Then we all hella promote each other on social media so we all grow from it!
I also give back each year by doing a few freebie projects for small businesses, whether it’s graphic design, interior design or offering my house as a free space for them, it’s all about “being a village”, in my opinion and I’m happy to contribute to it.
What’s next?
I’m looking forward to opening a storefront this summer, called “manopano”! It’ll be in the front of @the1890brickyhouse (this is the first time I’m announcing this too btw!) and will sell homegoods and likely some fashion and other miscellaneous items from all my creative buddies around town.
Also hoping to continue re-growing the core of my business: graphic design and renting the house out for more events and photoshoots!
Stop on by this summer! I love seeing familiar faces and a fresh face 🙂
Pricing:
- Rent 1 Floor: $150/hr
- Rent Whole House: $350/hr
- Rent Full Day: $1890
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.manmanstudios.com
- Instagram: @manmanstudios
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manmanstudios/
