Courtney Krueger shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Courtney, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
How I start my day makes all the difference, so I keep my mornings pretty sacred. I’m usually up around 7, coffee in hand, curled up in my little reading corner surrounded by plants. That’s where I read my devotion for about 30 minutes or other times I can get completely lost in it for an hour. After that, I’ll head to the gym, then come home, get ready and ease into my workday around 10 or 11. The slow mornings give me the space to feel grounded and show up with more peace and calmness for the day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Courtney, the founder and creative director of Courtney Marie & Co., a brand and web design studio based in Austin, TX. Funny enough, my business sort of found me. I actually went to school for design, but at the time I didn’t see it leading to a career so I switched gears and pursued personal training. I started out as a fitness coach and while I loved helping people, I realized what lit me up most was creating the graphics, websites, and branding that went along with it. That opened the door back to design and it feels like a full-circle moment that I now get to do the very thing I originally went to school for, just in a way that feels more aligned.
My team and I help coaches, course creators, and service providers create brands and websites that truly reflect their personality while being strategically designed to grow their business. I believe design should be simple, intentional, and full of personality. Recently, I rebranded with a coffee-inspired theme, because to me, good design is like a great cup of coffee that is rich, refined, and meant to be savored.
Right now, I’m excited to launch my new website template shop. It’s designed to make professional strategic design accessible to entrepreneurs starting out or those who are ready to elevate their online presence. My goal is to help business owners feel confident with a site that not only works for them 24/7 but one they actually love so they can show up fully in their business.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I used to believe I wasn’t particularly smart or great at one thing. I was good at a lot of things, but I thought not having a clear path like everyone else was a weakness. I remember feeling frustrated that I didn’t know what I wanted to do or why I had to go to college and pick one thing if nothing really stood out to me. I compared myself to people who seemed to have it all figured out and felt behind before I had even started.
What I’ve since learned is that maybe not knowing was actually the gift. It forced me to try new things, explore different paths and take risks I might not have taken otherwise. Looking back, I see that being open to new opportunities is what allowed me to discover what truly lights me up. It taught me to let go of the outcome, to embrace curiosity and to see life as a journey of experimenting and learning.
Now, I recognize that one of my strengths is being able to adapt, dive into new challenges and pick up new skills quickly. I thrive on learning, applying what I’ve learned and seeing how it can all come together. Entrepreneurship has been the perfect fit for me because it allows me to do just that. To wear many hats, to constantly grow and to channel all of those different skill sets into something meaningful. So what I once thought was a weakness actually turned out to be the very thing that shaped my path and brought me to the work I love today.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
It forced me to grow, adapt, and become resourceful in ways I never would have otherwise. It taught me how to find joy in the journey instead of clinging to the outcome, how to let go of control, and how to focus on one step at a time.
It also reminded me to pay attention to what really matters, the small, consistent actions that move the needle forward and to celebrate the little wins along the way. The big wins then carried even more meaning because I knew the hard work, setbacks, and growth it took to get there.
Those hard moments made me more introspective, helping me uncover the limiting patterns and beliefs that were holding me back. They refined my character, deepened my gratitude, strengthened my faith and reminded me to trust the process.
I learned that real growth and character refinement only happen when we walk through suffering. That’s what shapes us into who we are today.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I wouldn’t say it was necessarily wrong but for a long time, I bought into the whole “boss babe hustle” culture. The idea that success meant doing it all on my own, working harder than everyone else and constantly proving myself. I thought that’s what success looked like.
But once I started making more money and seeing success, I realized my values had shifted. What I truly wanted was to build a life with someone, start a family, and create a vision of success that wasn’t just about business. I also realized I wasn’t designed to carry it all on my own or live with that constant provider mentality. I didn’t have to prove I could do everything by myself and that was freeing.
Now, I see success less about hustle and independence at all costs, and more about alignment, balance, and fulfillment. Letting go of that boss babe mentality gave me space to design both a business and a life that feel sustainable, supportive, and deeply meaningful.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
This is actually something I’ve been working on already and I think a lot of people can relate. I’d stop wasting time on things that don’t add value to my life and be more intentional with how I spend each day.
I’d put the phone down and touch grass more often. Of course, I could say travel more, worry less, take more risks, and care less about what others think but at the core, it’s really about living fully, experiencing joyful moments with the people I love, and making an impact on others’ lives.
I want to know I made a difference in someone’s life, that I brightened their day, brought them closer to God, encouraged them to take a leap of faith, or reminded them that their dream life is possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.courtneymarieco.com
- Instagram: @courtneymarie.me
- Other: Podcast: Coffee with Courtney
