About Me
I’m Jacki Gil
I was born and raised in North Alabama, specifically, a small mountain town called Grant. I’ve been a Huntsville resident since 1998, except for that short 4 years at the University of Alabama.
Graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in Advertising & a minor in Studio Art was the beginning of a lifetime journey with design. Although, interested in the quips of the advertising world, I quickly found out I was not cut out for the knock-you-down-to-get-to-the-top, big design firm work life.
Huntsville, Alabama is home now, and although being in the creative industry in a left-brained town isn’t easy, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m in love with all things design, and always on a quest for the next best font. It’s a beautiful thing when a passion and a career come together.
I’m the the wife to an amazing husband, Rudy. He goes to work every day so that I can continue to live my dream of owning my own business. We have a daughter, Gemma, who is the joy of our lives. Our favorite things in life are Rosie’s, the beach & house projects.
My road to here
I went into choosing my major based on one thing—which paths have the least amount of math. I loved to write and design, so Advertising + Graphic Arts seemed like the perfect fit. I graduated in 2009 during one of the worst times to find a job for anyone, but definitely for “non-essential” jobs like the major I had chosen. I took whatever jobs, I could find and found myself selling ads for magazines, working for a tile shop, designing graphics for a local news station and coupons.
In 2012, I finally landed an awesome job at a local church where I learn all about print, paper and multiplied my design skills. In the summer of 2013 my wedding photographer asked if I’d be interested in making paper goods for a styled shoot she was putting together. Designing that first invitation set was the beginning of the road to owning my own business.
Graduated from the U of A
Launched Salt + Paperie
Became Mrs. Rudy Gil, Jr.
Became a Momprenuer
After a year of designing as a side-hustle, in May of 2014, I finally began working from home as my own boss. There were so many lessons learned in those first couple of years, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. A big reason for wanting to own my business was the freedom to take care of my future kids. In 2017, that dream also became a reality! In preparation for our daughter’s arrival, I wanted to protect Salt + Paperie’s name by applying for a national trademark. A long story short, a big company told us that we couldn’t do that because of similar names and businesses. I was forced to separate all business and branding design from Salt + Paperie’s name and website.
In May 2017, our daughter,Gemma Ruth Gil, was born. I think there were definitely more lessons learned in the first year of parenting + running a business than in the first year of being a business owner! It was like navigating a whole new world, where you can’t be as productive. For this type A, enneagram 1 girl, that was a tough road. Every struggle is more than worth it, and I can see my future intern in the works.
Besides working and taking care of an almost “threenager”, I am currently training for my first sprint triathlon with my husband Rudy, which is proving to be a huge challenge for this runner’s spirit! We still take any chance to travel, but recently finished up a huge remodel on our little house, so we are trying to stay home a little more. Most of my thoughts about travel are directed towards the next trip to the beach or Disney World. I will never turn down red wine, and am perfectly okay with eating tacos for every meal. I have kept up my love for writing by attempting a blog for our family adventures, my favorite design projects, and my once-upon-a-time attempt at photography.
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family life
Getting personal