Founder Interview
AJ Finnegan
The advice I would give them is to never stop talking about it. Word of mouth spreads, people chat.
So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.
My name is AJ Finnegan, and I’m originally from the St. Louis area of Missouri. I earned my BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and a Master’s in Secondary Education. My background spans illustration, animation, graphic design, and storytelling. I’m currently based in the Kansas City area, where I’m developing I Said What I Said, an ongoing art series exploring human thought, communication, consciousness, and personal experience.
Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.
One thing that I love about where I live is the closeness to artistic culture here in Kansas City.
Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?
Finnegan Studio began as an extension of my lifelong passion for art, storytelling, and visual communication. Originally from the St. Louis area and now based in the Kansas City area, I built my artistic foundation through years of exploration and education, ultimately earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Kansas City Art Institute. KCAI’s immersive, hands-on approach to art and design helped me develop the skills to turn creative ideas into meaningful visual experiences.
Today, Finnegan Studio brings together illustration, graphic design, animation, branding, traditional art, and digital media to help individuals, small businesses, and creative organizations communicate their ideas visually. From logos and brand identities to illustrations, website graphics, and original artwork, I work to create thoughtful, personalized designs that reflect each client’s vision and goals.
What makes my work unique is my background in storytelling and my interest in how people think, communicate, and connect. I approach each project as an opportunity to understand a client’s ideas and transform them into something visually engaging and authentic. Ultimately, Finnegan Studio helps customers bring their visions to life, establish a recognizable identity, and share their stories with the world through creative, intentional design.
If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?
The advice I would give them is to never stop talking about it. Word of mouth spreads, people chat.
What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?
One piece of continuous feedback from a client that I have worked with is about event planning, creating a celebration for their 15-year anniversary.
Where do you see your company in the future?
I hope to see in the future that I am able to develop a full studio making works of video, animation and illustration.
What is the biggest misconception about your industry?
A big misconception is the idea of digital media being a linear path.
What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?
I know my biggest issue was getting client work with no networking when I first moved to Kansas City. How I handled it was talking about my work and looking for local exhibitions and magazine features to expand my networking footprint.
Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?
Beyoncé.
Any shoutouts you want to make?
Some shoutouts I would love to make are to the clients I have worked with, and to my professors Sean Barton, Adam Watkins and Jen Higerd, as well as Doug Hudson, Eva Hall, John Baker, Bona Bones and Amanda Hadju.
Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?
