What is your name?
Kirsten Pereira
What is your title?
Founder and Creative Director
What is your business name?
Middle Child Design Studio
What is your website URL?
www.middlechilddesignstudio.com
What is your Instagram handle?
@middlechild_studio
What is your LinkedIn URL?
linkedin.com/in/kirstenpereira
Where are you based? How did you end up there?
I’m based on the North Shore in Haverhill, MA. Originally from New Bedford, MA, I lived in Boston for many years after college, but eventually settled in Haverhill with my husband and son to be closer to family and friends.
Tell us more about your company! What do you do and what pushed you to start?
Middle Child Design Studio is a full-service graphic design studio “for the clever, curious, and sometimes misbehaved.” I love working with clients who push boundaries—some include a women-owned dispensary, an LGBTQ+ friendly hat shop, a holistic health coach, a high-end medspa, and a cocktail/barware brand.
I started Middle Child in 2020 during the pandemic. Launching my own business fulfilled me creatively in ways my corporate job never could. After three years, becoming a mom has added another layer of pride, showing my son Amari the joy and possibilities of entrepreneurship and creativity.
What is your definition of success? How do you know when you’ve reached it?
Success is having the courage to learn, grow, and create joy every day. It’s not tied to a single goal but in appreciating your journey. As long as I’m doing what makes me happy, my family is supported, and I feel loved and connected, I know I’m successful.
Tell us about your most transformational moment as an entrepreneur.
A year after opening my business, I worked on a large illustration project for Dos Madras Rum—a series of limited edition tiki mugs. I was nervous, having never done product design before, but I took the leap. Seeing the physical products for the first time was a full-circle moment, and I use that memory to overcome imposter syndrome and remind myself I can do hard things.
What was one of your biggest challenges in business?
Staying true to myself in business is a constant challenge. It sometimes means saying no to opportunities that don’t align with my values and accepting lost income. But this makes space for opportunities that bring joy and reflect my creative vision.
How do you handle the harder days? The struggles? Those moments when you feel like giving up?
I remind myself that life is full of seasons and moments. I embrace the quote: “It’s a bad day, not a bad life.” Finding joy outside work—in nature, family time, meals with loved ones, and quiet moments for myself—refuels me to keep going.
How has being a Boston Business Women Inner Circle member positively influenced your life + business?
Even though I’ve been a member for a short time, it’s comforting to be part of a supportive group of like-minded women who understand the challenges and joys of running a business.
Tell us about your most proud moment in your career.
Resigning from my corporate job to pursue my design business full-time. It was scary and exhilarating, but my soul felt nourished. It was a leap of faith into the life and work I truly love.
Who is the woman behind your business? What does she like? How does she spend her free time? What does she value?
I’m a proud mom to my son Amari, a wife, and a creative through and through. I enjoy doodling, working on my upcoming art & gift shop, Cottonmouth, traveling for food, reading, and quiet moments with family. I value creativity, family, exploration, and authenticity.
What makes you stand out from others in your field? What do you do differently?
I love working with clients who push boundaries and value individuality. My slogan, “For the clever, curious, and sometimes misbehaved,” reflects this. I focus on making clients feel truly seen and heard, and I incorporate illustration into branding—transforming great brands into extraordinary ones.
Where can we keep up with you? What social media platforms do you use the most?
Instagram: @middlechild_studio