(ill•E•ahh)!

hi, I'm Illiah

I chose a deeply spiritual journey that created a true foundation and a well of strength I didn't know was possible.

A retreat at the start of 2026 broke me open and predicted much of the loss I've experienced this year. I have a vision of myself, head barely above water, tied at the ankles to cinder blocks weighing me down as the waves crest over me. Over ten years of business with a clear vision, but an unexplainable weight drowned me.
I never intended to pause. It arrived when my frequency started to sink, and I couldn't hold space for anything but myself and my people. The world expects women to carry so many roles all at once with great grace and strength, but we're human, too.

I’ve been reevaluating my business's health to strip it all down to anchor in the joy of my work - helping women feel f*ing awesome about getting more visible.

2026 makes 2017 look easy. It wasn't. My entire world split in two, and I hit rock bottom. The irony is, I've handled this year's intensity much better than I did my divorce. At the time, I thought I was all on my own with no income, no identity, no love. I went into survival mode, lured by a steady paycheck and great health insurance. I became a special needs paraeducator for a preschool class.

I knew before a two-year hold clamped down on my thigh with her teeth that teaching was not my calling. I found that a few days later, at happy hour with my school team, when each person shared what was going on in her life. I empowered and validated them to self-advocate and reflected their strength back to them.
My spirit soared. And I knew.

At the end of my contract that June, I stepped back fully to rebuild my business and reestablish my brand, and went from a $7k business debt to a 5-figure business in 5 years.

C&V is named for my daughters, my muses. They're the why behind why I return to entrepreneurship again and again. I need them to see how life is not a checklist of expectations. I want them to imagine a world where anything is possible, simply because they imagine it into existence. And the only way I know how to teach them is to show them. If women are never empowered, our future generations' daughters will not have the opportunity to live in an equitable world. They deserve more.

I want this for my muses, and I want it for you. My calling is to amplify your voice, fine-tune your visuals so they are emblazoned in the public eye, align your energy with your calling, and ensure your reputation matches.


My 20+ years of design experience and 10+ years as an entrepreneur are my foundation, but my certification as a Reiki Master changes how I see your brand before I've touched a single pixel. And yeah, perimenopause decided to replace fries & Frosties with bananas & Nutella as my favorite snack.

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The story of how Fortress & Flourish found C&V Creative serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for meaningful connections to emerge from the digital landscape. As both agencies continue to collaborate and innovate, one thing is abundantly clear: the future is bright, and the possibilities are limitless.

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C&V create timeless brand identities, head-turning brand assets, and scroll-stopping social media graphics, which means we know a thing or two about creating a cohesive and consistent brand across any medium so you can catapult yourself from industry leader to icon.


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We're here to bring your narrative to life visually, to showcase your unique talents, and to propel your business forward. Thank you for considering C&V Creative for your branding journey. We're excited to partner with you on your path to iconic status.

we're not just designers; we're storytellers.