From Graphic Designer to Educational Entrepreneur
Sonja Howell, founder of Tranquil Studios, began her journey as a graphic designer in the 90s. She quickly realized her real joy came from teaching others how to use emerging digital tools and making complex concepts easy to understand. Over the years, she transformed her expertise into a business focused on creating instructional materials tailored to the unique needs of adult learners, K-12 students, and organizations. We’ve enjoyed working with Sonja in our Lean Rocket LOCAL program, and have been pleased to see her growth, through this entrepreneurial bootcamp.
In honor of Global Entrepreneurship Month, we’re excited to share Sonja’s inspiring story—one of community connection, continuous learning, and a dedication to helping others through customized, compassionate educational resources.
Sonja Shares Her Story:
I started Tranquil Studios because I’ve always had a passion for teaching and helping others learn. Back in the 90s, I worked as a graphic designer, and as we moved into the digital era, I loved teaching people how to use new technology—even more than I enjoyed the graphic design or marketing itself! I began creating training materials, and over time, I transitioned into educational technology, working with corporate, nonprofit, K-12, and higher ed clients. I just really enjoy the process of helping people understand, so I expanded into instructional design and consulting.
For example, when I started working in higher education and with parenting programs, I wanted to better understand how adults learn. That led me to earn my Ph.D., diving into how adults engage with material, especially here in Lenawee County. I noticed that before COVID, online instruction was already growing, but no one had really asked adults what they needed from these resources. In my research, I found that adult learners prefer having a person to interact with, whether online or in person, someone they can ask questions and who cares about their success. Based on this, I started creating more than just online courses; I wrote books and designed materials that provide that extra support for learners who may need it.
The journey has been rewarding. Working with Lenawee County businesses has been especially helpful—they’ve guided me as I started my nonprofit and developed my consulting work. When I had questions, I was able to reach out to mentors in the community who provided insight and guidance, even though I wasn’t one of their employees. And as I grew, I hired project managers and consultants to help keep up with demand.
One of my proudest achievements has been helping parents who didn’t have anywhere to turn for support. I saw a need for educational resources around high-conflict parenting and domestic issues, areas that weren’t covered by other parenting networks or organizations. In 2015, I established my nonprofit to serve these parents, creating resources to help them navigate difficult situations, and the community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive. Local organizations trusted the value of this work and referred parents who needed it most.
Living and working in Lenawee since the 90s, I feel connected to this community. Lenawee has always been a calm and supportive place, with a range of resources that I can trust, from schools to family services to business support. I love that there’s so much support here whenever I need it, and I want to contribute by providing educational resources uniquely suited to our community. There’s plenty of research and evidence-based training from places like California or Dearborn, but Lenawee is unique. I believe we deserve resources that are tailored to us.
With Tranquil Studios, my goal is to show the community what effective online instruction can look like. There’s a lot of debate about whether instruction should be online, in person, hybrid, or in groups, but I think we can find solutions that work for everyone. My role is to work alongside organizations to figure out what works best for them and their clients. Instead of simply delivering a pre-packaged solution, I aim to collaborate with organizations, problem-solve, and help create instructional materials that genuinely meet the needs of their communities.”
Present Successes, and Future Growth
Sonja’s journey with Tranquil Studios is one of commitment to learning, growth, and strong community support. Since starting Tranquil Studios, she has created several books, online courses, and a variety of other resources. Through extensive entrepreneurial training with programs like Launch Lenawee and Lean Rocket LOCAL, she has honed her skills and expanded her business. Her recent Grand Reopening and Ribbon Cutting at the Adrian Armory is a testament to her hard work and the strong community connections she’s built. We’re excited to see Sonja’s continued success as she establishes Tranquil Studios as a cornerstone of learning and support for our community.
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