Next Up North — Deanna GRAY

Speaking at Next Up North About Canva and Small Business Marketing.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at Next Up North in Bellevue, and it was honestly such a great experience. My presentation was called Small Biz, Big Vibes: Canva for Small Business Success, and the session focused on helping local small businesses feel more confident creating marketing materials, social media graphics, and branded content using Canva.

One of my favorite parts of the event was getting to connect directly with small business owners and creatives in the community. There is something really inspiring about being in a room full of people who are passionate about what they do and are actively trying to grow their businesses in thoughtful and creative ways.

Throughout the presentation, I talked about ways small businesses can use Canva strategically beyond just making quick graphics. We discussed branding consistency, creating more engaging social media content, building visual trust with audiences, and finding ways to make marketing feel less overwhelming. As someone who works professionally in graphic design and marketing, it was exciting to break down design concepts into approachable tools and workflows that people could realistically start using right away.

The conversations after the session were honestly one of the best parts of the experience. It was great hearing about everyone’s businesses, creative goals, and the different challenges they face when it comes to marketing and visibility. Events like this are such a good reminder of how valuable local creative communities are, especially in neighborhoods like Bellevue that continue to grow and support small businesses.
A huge thank you to the organizers of Next Up North for inviting me to speak and creating such a welcoming and collaborative event space. I had an amazing time and would absolutely love to participate again in the future.

You can view the slideshow from my presentation here!