Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Canova.
Summer, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been that little artsy kid for as long as I can remember. In high school, art was always my favorite subject, and I was constantly drawn to fashion, music, photography, and anything that allowed me to express myself creatively. That passion eventually led me to attend the **Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM)**, where I studied Visual Communications.
During college, I started working for a creative agency, and that’s where everything really clicked. I was exposed to branding, graphic design, web design, photography, marketing, and creative strategy, learning how every piece works together to build a successful brand. Working in an agency environment taught me to wear multiple hats, adapt quickly, and think beyond just design.
After graduating, I transitioned into the fashion industry, where I immersed myself in influencer marketing, content creation, brand partnerships, and digital marketing. At the same time, I was building my own freelance design business on nights and weekends. I’ve always been someone who loves having multiple creative projects going, and I knew early on that I wanted to build something of my own. It was an exciting time that allowed me to collaborate with talented creators, photographers, influencers, and brands while gaining a deeper understanding of how impactful storytelling and community can be.
As my network grew, I took the leap and opened my own content studio in the Arts District of Los Angeles. The studio became a creative hub where brands, influencers, and creators could produce elevated content, and I had the opportunity to work with incredible companies on campaigns, creative direction, content production, and creator directing. I loved bringing ideas to life—from developing the concept and mood boards to directing shoots and seeing the final vision come together. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career and introduced me to so many talented people who continue to inspire me today.
In 2024, I made the difficult decision to close the studio. While I loved building the space and the community around it, I realized that managing a physical studio wasn’t what fulfilled me most. What truly energized me was being deeply involved in the creative process—building brands, designing websites, directing campaigns, creating marketing strategies, and becoming a true creative partner for the businesses I worked with.
Today, as the founder and Creative Director of Evolve Creative Studio, I bring together everything I’ve learned throughout my career. I partner with brands in the beauty, wellness, hospitality, and lifestyle industries, providing creative direction, branding, web design, content production, social media + marketing strategies, and influencer collaborations. I love helping brands find their voice, creating content that feels authentic, and developing marketing that not only looks beautiful but drives real growth. Every project is different, and that’s exactly what keeps me inspired. My goal is to become an extension of each client’s team, helping them build a brand that people genuinely connect with.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think anyone’s entrepreneurial journey is completely smooth.
One of the biggest things I learned was that I just wasn’t made for the traditional corporate 9-to-5. Maybe it’s the Gemini in me, but I need variety. I love bouncing between strategy and design. I get bored doing the same thing every day. The funny part is, I probably work way more now than I ever did at a corporate job, but I honestly don’t mind it because I genuinely love what I do.
I’ve also learned that being a business owner means wearing every hat imaginable. You’re the creative, the designer, the photographer, the marketer, the salesperson, the accountant, the project manager… the list goes on. It can definitely be overwhelming at times, but it’s also made me so much more well-rounded and has taught me skills I never would have learned otherwise.
Closing my content studio in 2024 was probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve made. I had poured so much into creating that space and building a community around it. At first, it honestly felt like I was giving up on something I had worked so hard for. Looking back, though, it ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I think what I’m known for is being a creative partner, not just a designer or marketer. My clients bring me in because they know I can see the bigger picture. Whether it’s developing a brand, directing a content shoot, designing a website, or building a marketing strategy, I love connecting all the pieces to create something intentional.
What I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built. Most of my business has come through referrals and long-term clients, and I think that’s because I genuinely care about the people and businesses I work with. I treat every brand like it’s my own.
What sets me apart is that I blend creativity with strategy. I want the work to look beautiful, but I also want it to perform. At the end of the day, my goal is to create brands and content that not only stand out but actually help businesses grow.
How do you think about luck?
I definitely think there’s a little bit of luck involved in any career, but I also believe you have to put yourself in the position to find it. Some of my biggest opportunities have come from relationships, referrals, and simply saying “yes” to projects that pushed me outside my comfort zone.
I’ve also had what felt like bad luck at the time—like closing my content studio—but looking back, those moments ended up redirecting me toward something even better. They forced me to reevaluate what I truly enjoyed and where I could make the biggest impact.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that consistency creates opportunities. Showing up, doing good work, building genuine relationships, and staying open to change have been far more valuable than luck alone.
Contact Info:
Suggest a Story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.