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In 2020, Courtney Skinkis took a risk. During the heart of the pandemic, she purchased her first business, Confluence Graphics Design and Print Studio. The North Shore staple had been owned by the same family for over 20 years, and when Skinkis took over, she was determined to help it grow. Working alongside her husband, Brad, who has a background in printing and design, she used her business experience to position Confluence Graphics as a go-to source for printing, design and corporate branding. Skinkis says the most rewarding aspect of her work is helping businesses build their brands by creating eye-catching visuals, logos and other designs that capture the spirit of their work. “The first thing that attracts you to a business, a lot of times, is the visual appeal,” she says. In two years, her client list has already expanded beyond its Milwaukee roots to serve businesses around the country. “We have big plans for the future,” she says. “We know where we want to go, and we’re really excited for the expansion.”
“Starting a business is going to be much harder than you expect it to be. But it’s completely worth it.”
-Courtney Skinkis
Q&A
What was your path to buying Confluence Graphics?
I like to say that I was doing all the things that led me up to being a business owner. I’ve worked in sales and customer service for more than half of my life. I worked my way up and learned as much as I could. Right before the pandemic, my husband, Brad, had been working for Confluence Graphics. The previous owners had been throwing around the idea of selling the company, and they presented the opportunity for us to purchase. Having that opportunity to start fresh and show everybody what I can do, we went for it.
What have been some of the challenges of buying your first business?
The biggest challenge for me is being able to balance everything. I’m a mom, I’m a wife, and then a business owner. And all three of those things take up so much of time. I think that’s what a lot of working moms struggle with.
And what do you find most rewarding?
For me, it’s helping people establish their brand. A lot of clients who come to us are starting their businesses for the first time. They don’t have a logo; they don’t have a true identity. Those are the things that we get to help build. Seeing those people get excited about their first business card or their first brochure, or their menus printed for the first time, is always a good feeling.
