We recently had the chance to connect with Angie Godlewska and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Angie, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Painting. It is something I have loved since I was a kid, and lately I have given myself permission to step back into it more fully. When I paint, my brain completely turns off, and it becomes the perfect meditation practice. I work in bright abstracts, and the process pulls me out of the constant busyness of business building and into pure flow. There is no overthinking, no strategy, no deadlines – just movement, color, and expression. One day, I wish to have my own exhibit, and I say it with a smile because that dream feels both playful and possible.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Angie Godlewska, founder of Kredo Design and also a clarity coach. Creativity has been my escape and my strength since I was a child. I spent most of my early years in hospitals, often unable to move for weeks at a time, so my imagination got constant training. Daydreaming, drawing, coloring, and reading were the worlds I could fully step into. Later, when my dad gifted me my first Mac, I learned how to operate it and realized every billboard, magazine, and book I admired had to be designed by someone. That was the spark that set me on my path.
When I moved to the USA, I was determined to learn and start fresh. I still vividly remember walking into a company that was hiring, admitting I knew nothing, and offering to work for free just to learn. They gave me a trial project and I got the job. That moment reminds me that determination always brings the right people and opportunities onto our path.
Today at Kredo Design, I use that same determination to help businesses grow through branding, web design, and SEO. And through my coaching, I guide women who feel stuck or overwhelmed to find clarity and create a plan that feels good. At the heart of it all, my work is about helping people step into who they are and create something that lasts.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I think I was always a rebel at heart and definitely the black sheep of the family. Curiosity was my compass, and I was always thinking several steps ahead. Sometimes that has been a blessing, sometimes a curse, but it has shaped everything about how I live and work.
What I am most proud of is passing that spirit on to my kids. I never wanted them to follow my dreams for them. I wanted them to follow their own. I even appreciated it when they argued with me… although not exactly in the moment. Looking back, I love that they have learned to be true to themselves and to fight for their dreams in a respectful and determined way. To me, that is the best proof that I have lived my own truth and given them permission to live theirs.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Of course. When you are chasing dreams, there are always moments when you question yourself, the world, if it makes sense, and why you insist on complicating your own life. Being a solopreneur means you are the CEO, the designer, the assistant, the salesperson, the bookkeeper, and yes, even the cleaning lady of the company. Some days it feels like I should hand myself an Employee of the Month award just to keep going.
But it is usually in those moments of overwhelm that I get a message from a client that pulls me right back. Like the one that said, “My client, who is a designer, complimented me on my website today, thank you.” Or another that read, “My friend who studies marketing in Vienna is in love with my website. She said You are fabulous.” Those reminders always seem to arrive at the exact right time and keep me moving forward.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
From public figures, I would probably say Elon Musk. Not because I agree with everything he says, but because he has reached a level where he can speak his unfiltered truth without worrying about the consequences. Right or wrong, that kind of freedom to speak your mind and learn through it without filtering yourself is something I find powerful.
On a more personal level, I deeply admire my closest friends. The ones who are not afraid to speak their truth, have hard conversations, and even call me out when I need it. It takes real strength of character to point out someone’s blind spots and still hold space for the friendship. Those are the people I admire the most, because honesty mixed with love is rare and precious.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
That it was only about design. Yes, I built brands, websites, and strategies, but my true legacy is not in the logos or pixels. It is in the people who feel seen, supported, and encouraged to be themselves. I think some may misunderstand and only see the creative work, but what I really want to leave behind is the reminder that you can be true to yourself and still give yourself permission to grow, to change, and to experience more. That is what I hope my kids, my clients, and anyone who crosses paths with me will carry forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://KredoDesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kredodesign/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiegodlewska/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kredodesign/
- Other: https://angiegodlewska.com/
Image Credits
Angie Godlewska
