An Interview with Niobe, Founder of Studio Kynd
LET’S BEGIN AT THE HEART — WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START STUDIO KYND?
Honestly, I didn’t plan on starting Studio Kynd. It kind of just happened. What began as a passion project on the side something that gave me energy and made me feel like me again quickly evolved into a full-time career. It was never forced, it just flowed and I followed it.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE ESSENCE OF STUDIO KYND IN THREE WORDS, AND WHY THOSE?
Grounded. Intentional. Nurturing. This studio was built on connection, to self, to others, to vision. I wanted to create a space that wasn’t just about design, but about honouring where someone is and holding where they’re going.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY BEFORE STUDIO KYND. WHAT WERE YOU DOING, AND HOW DID THAT SHAPE YOUR APPROACH NOW?
So many things… I am someone who’s done a little bit of everything. I’ve always been entrepreneurial, ever since I was a little girl, finding creative ways to make money.
From working in fashion retail and being a visual merchandiser, to supporting bands in the music industry, to becoming a nurse and working in hospitals, each chapter taught me something about people, emotion, energy, and resilience. It’s shaped my work today in a way that’s deeply human. I don’t just design brands, I hold space for transformation.
WHEN WAS THE MOMENT YOU KNEW YOU HAD TO TAKE THE LEAP?
I had felt the pull for a while. I knew I didn’t want to stay in the system I was in, but I wasn’t sure what was next. Lockdown gave me space to explore the part of me that had always been quietly creative. When I wasn’t on shift at the hospital, I would sit in coffee shops and write — scripting my dream life, manifesting the idea of working from my laptop, doing something meaningful. Eventually, that life found me. And I said yes.
STUDIO KYND BLENDS STRATEGY WITH SOUL — WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?
It means leading with intention. When your business is an extension of you, aligning your brand strategy with who you are is everything. I believe founder-led strategy, not just business goals, but your personal rhythm, values, desires is what sets a brand apart. That’s where the magic begins.
HOW DO YOU HELP CLIENTS FIND ALIGNMENT, NOT JUST AESTHETICS?
By connecting. By listening deeply. By tuning in. Sometimes clients come to me unsure of what they even want, and that’s okay. We co-create from a place of energy, clarity, and alignment, not just visuals. The outside must reflect the inside.
WHAT DOES YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS LOOK LIKE, FROM FIRST ENQUIRY TO FINAL DELIVERY?
No two journeys are the same. Some clients are very hands-on, others like to be held and led. I honour both. My process is intuitive but grounded, rooted in deep listening, strategy, mood exploration, and soulful refinement. We begin with alignment and intention, build out the vision, and bring it to life with clarity and care. I call it The Kynd Process; gentle, collaborative, transformative.
YOU WORK WITH FOUNDERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE ARE MOST DRAWN TO STUDIO KYND?
Coaches, guides, women transitioning careers, wellness and beauty brands, conscious creators, sustainable fashion labels… People who care about how things feel. People who are here to do something meaningful, not just profitable. Studio Kynd attracts those who lead with heart.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT SO FAR IN THIS JOURNEY?
There have been many. Working with brands like Adobe, Intelligent Change, and collaborating with companies like Noissue and Tishwish has been such an honour. Seeing my clients featured in publications like Vogue, ELLE, and Forbes has been surreal, but more than anything, I’m proud of how I have grown. I feel more grounded now, more peaceful and more me.
AS SOMEONE WHO ONCE WORKED IN HEALTHCARE, HOW DO YOU NOW TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN WELLBEING WHILE RUNNING A CREATIVE STUDIO?
I understand, on a deep level, the importance of tending to your mind and body. I’ve learned to build slowness into my life. To pause, to move, to eat well and to switch off. Creativity doesn’t come from burnout, it comes from presence.
WHAT ARE SOME MYTHS ABOUT BRANDING YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD?
001. That branding is “just a logo.” It’s not. It’s the soul of your business.
002. That strategy doesn’t matter because it does.
003. That investing in a brand isn’t worth it early on, it is, especially when done intentionally. Even having a few clear goals or a vision of what you want your life to look like can change everything.
WHAT IS YOUR HOPE FOR EVERY FOUNDER YOU WORK WITH?
That they create a life that feels like theirs on their own terms and that, in some small way, I helped them do that
WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOU BEYOND BUSINESS METRICS?
A slow life. Living by the beach. Surfing. Walking my dog. Eating nourishing food. Not worrying about where the next client is coming from, because I’m so rooted in my purpose, it all flows to me and giving back, whether through volunteer work or starting something bigger than me.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR STUDIO KYND?