Meagan Morrison (BCom’07), renowned fashion illustrator and founder of , didn’t follow a conventional path. Her story is one of serendipity, bold decisions, and a deep commitment to creativity.
In this episode of Management Insights, she shares her remarkable journey from a Bachelor of Commerce degree at to a thriving artistic career that has taken her around the globe as she works with some of the world’s leading luxury brands.
Meagan's time at marked the beginning of her exploration. While pursuing her Bachelor of Commerce, she nurtured her creative spirit in quiet moments: painting on an easel in her apartment or adding hand-drawn flourishes to business projects.
“I always sensed I would work in fashion somehow, but I didn’t know how to combine that with my love of art,” she recalls. ’s collaborative environment helped her find clarity.
“The group projects, getting dressed up for presentations—I loved it all. It taught me so much about professionalism and entrepreneurship.”
After graduating, Meagan sought ways to merge her passions for art, fashion, and travel. Her journey took her to New York City, where she discovered a program in fashion illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).
“I didn’t even know fashion illustration existed as a profession until a year after I graduated,” Meagan admits. But once she did, it was a lightbulb moment. “I went home, researched it, and realized this was what I wanted to do.”
The transition wasn’t seamless. As a Canadian student in the U.S., visa requirements added layers of complexity, forcing Meagan to navigate internships and roles in graphic design to support herself. Despite these challenges, she founded , a blog that captured her vision of combining illustration with travel storytelling.
“I put my work online, and the blog became my brand,” she says. “People can’t hire you if they don’t know what you’re capable of.”
Her breakthrough came quickly. Within months of leaving her corporate job, Condé Nast Traveler reached out with a dream project: illustrating a travel guide for Bermuda.
“It was exactly the kind of work I had envisioned, and it felt like the universe was meeting me where I was,” Meagan shares.
Meagan credits her education with giving her the transferable skills needed to thrive as an entrepreneur.
“Do I use statistics or finance? Not really,” she jokes. “But I do use accounting, and the confidence I gained from presenting in front of large groups at prepared me for meetings with some of the world’s biggest brands.”
As her career flourished, Meagan learned to balance the demands of professional creativity with personal well-being. Drawing, once a soothing outlet, became work, pushing her to find new hobbies like yoga and fitness.
“It’s so important to protect time for yourself,” she advises. “My best ideas often come during exercise or moments of rest.”
For students and young professionals unsure of their path, Meagan offers simple but profound advice: “Take your time. You’re so young, and it’s normal not to know what you want to do. Use your summers to explore different fields and internships. Nothing is ever wasted—it’s all part of discovering what you love.”
She also emphasizes the importance of staying open to possibilities.
“What’s meant for you won’t pass you by. Take risks, and trust that you’ll figure it out.”
Her belief in this principle, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit, has allowed her to create a career that seamlessly blends her passions.
Today, as a successful artist, Meagan looks back fondly on her time at and its lasting influence on her life.
“ shaped my worldview. It prepared me for a global stage and taught me to see life through diverse perspectives. I wouldn’t trade those four years for anything.”
Meagan’s journey is a testament to the power of pursuing what lights you up, even when the path isn’t clear. Stream the episode now to hear more about her inspiring journey and her tips for those who also want to find a way to turn their passion into their career.
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