Today we’d like to introduce you to Cherin Thompson.
Hi Cherin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always had a love for art and design, and I’d been wanting to learn Photoshop for a while. When a close friend was getting married and moving away afterward, I decided to create a 16×20 collage for her—a keepsake filled with memories of all her friends. Since I knew exactly what I wanted to make, it gave me the perfect motivation to dive into Photoshop and figure out how to bring my idea to life. That collage ended up being my very first Photoshop project.
A few years later, my brother and sister-in-law asked me to design their wedding menus and place cards. That was my first taste of the wedding world—and I loved it. My sister-in-law was so happy with how everything turned out that she recommended me to a friend, and soon I was designing her wedding programs.
That’s when it clicked for me—I genuinely enjoyed creating beautiful, meaningful pieces for engaged couples. And that’s how my wedding invitation business was born.
Today, I still bring that same personal touch to every project I take on. I keep my clients informed every step of the way, because I know how stressful wedding planning can be. These days, it can be hard to find truly great customer service, so I make it a priority to give my clients a smooth, stress-free experience from start to finish. I offer advice and guidance throughout the process, but I never push anyone into a direction they’re not comfortable with. After all, it’s their big day, not mine, and I want them to walk away with something they truly love.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road! Like most small business journeys, I had a rocky start trying to figure things out. My very first event was the San Antonio Bridal Extravaganza. I paid quite a bit for a booth and advertising, but ended up with only one client, which didn’t even come close to covering my costs. It was a tough and expensive lesson.
In the beginning, I also used to meet clients at Starbucks, but more than once we ended up at different locations by mistake. It was so embarrassing at the time! But those early missteps taught me a lot. I started double-checking everything and always included exact addresses for meetings to avoid any confusion.
Over time, I found better ways to connect with potential clients, like participating in smaller, more affordable bridal events that actually gave me better returns than the big shows. Things were really picking up, but when COVID hit, everything slowed down, and eventually I moved to a new town in a different state. Now I’m in the process of rebuilding my business here, which comes with its own challenges.
That said, I’m still well-established in San Antonio, and I’m so grateful that clients from there continue to reach out for invitations and wedding stationery. Every experience, good or bad, has helped shape my business into what it is today.
We’ve been impressed with Ct9 Designs, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I design custom wedding invitations and day-of stationery, including programs, menus, place cards, signage, and more. Everything I create is tailored specifically to each couple, so no two designs are ever the same. For those who prefer a simpler route, I also offer semi-customizable invitations. I truly enjoy working closely with my clients, and I love hearing their stories—it helps me design pieces that feel personal and meaningful.
What I’m probably most known for is my attention to detail. I take my time to make sure everything looks as perfect as it can be. I always try to incorporate the couple’s personalities into their invitations, and I love playing with color, especially when I can bring in the bride’s wedding palette. I pour my heart into every project, and I’m proud of all the pieces I’ve created over the years.
I’m especially proud of the trust my clients place in me during such an emotional and important time in their lives. It means the world when someone tells me how stress-free the process was, or how much their guests loved the finished pieces. If a couple wants something specific and I haven’t done it before, I’ll take the time to learn how—because getting them exactly what they want matters to me. One of my favorite reviews came from a couple who said: “She took the time to understand what we wanted for our wedding invites and was understanding each time we changed our minds. She went over our entire invite look and showed us how the design would come together. What made us choose her was the fact that when we asked for something she hadn’t done before, she quickly said, ‘I can definitely learn to do that for you!’” That kind of feedback means everything to me—it shows the heart behind what I do.
What sets me apart is that I genuinely care. I treat every wedding like it’s my own, putting just as much care into communication, effort, and quality. I’m not just creating a product—I’m helping set the tone for one of the most meaningful days in someone’s life.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
When it comes to finding a mentor or networking, I think the most important thing is to be genuine and open. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and don’t be afraid to ask questions or reach out. In the beginning, I found networking to be a bit intimidating, but over time I realized that people are often more willing to help than we think.
For me, joining local events, bridal shows, and industry groups has been really helpful. Not only did I meet other wedding professionals, but I also got a chance to see how they operate, which helped me learn and grow. I also participated in a few styled shoots, which were a great way to connect and collaborate with other vendors.
As for finding a mentor, honestly, I didn’t have one person who taught me everything I know. I just talked to people—asked how they got started, picked up tips on what to do and what to avoid, and learned who to contact for certain things. A lot of my growth still came from trial and error and learning through my own mistakes.
If you’re looking for a mentor, I think it’s important to find someone whose work and values align with yours. Don’t be afraid to approach them professionally, share why you admire their work, and what you hope to learn. Many of the connections I’ve made over the years started with a simple conversation or an introduction through a mutual friend.
Networking and finding the right people to learn from takes time, but the relationships you build along the way can be incredibly valuable to both your personal and professional growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ct9designs.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ct9designs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ct9Designs/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherin
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ct9-designs-clarkesville
- Other: https://calendly.com/ct9designs
