What prompted the idea for your business?  What ignited your entrepreneurial spark?

 

I was always on the entrepreneurial track, because I love the challenge of figuring things out. I began my design business early on in my college years. I wanted to use my design skills to help people solve problems, and it was important for me to be involved in all aspects of that problem solving. Once I began acquiring design clients, I never looked back and have continue growing my business for 9 years.

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How did you get funded?  What creative strategies did you use to execute on minimal cash flow? 

 

My approach has always been a slow & steady build. As a service provider, I've experienced the ebb and flow of projects and have experienced the value of client relationships. So I focus on building long-term connections with my clients, creating a stable foundation for the growth of my business. I also have been mindful of selectively scaling my business, making sure I don't lose hold of the quality of service that I've built a reputation on. This means I can keep my overhead low, carefully outsourcing tasks when necessary but maintaining a lean business model.

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What distinguishes your business?  What about your business is the envy of your competitors? 

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My speciality is in branding strategy and branding design. These two elements are the foundational thinking behind how a company appears in their market. I help businesses understand who they are, what makes them unique, and who they are trying to reach. And then I design their logo and visual identity to reinforce that strategic understanding and help them stand out in their market.

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A primary focus of my business is working with schools & purposeful people. I bring the experience of a
seasoned strategist to the table, which is especially valuable when trying to get multiple decision-makers to become unified in their vision and goals for their brand. My problem-solving skills has helped me become a go-to branding expert for companies and organizations that need help in aligning their vision and messaging.

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If you could travel back in time to when you first started, what advice would you tell yourself?  Were there opportunities you should have embraced or pitfalls you should have avoided? 

 

In hindsight, I wish I would have sooner taken the advice to niche and focus on a specific market. Two years ago I made the decision to position myself as an education-sector service provider. I had been concerned that focusing on such a narrow clientele would require me to turn away clients. But I have seen the positive effects of being purposeful in targeting a specific sector. It has helped in streamlining my efforts and build more credibility in my network. And it has allowed me more freedom in working with businesses as I have more strategy and purpose in my marketing.

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Describe how your relationship with SBDC at LCCC has accelerated your company's growth and success. 

 

I began working with the SBDC very early on in my career. Their classes and workshops were formative in
helping me understand how to run a business. The support of having this local resource is tremendously
valuable. As I've grown my business, the SBDC has provided me with opportunities to continue to network, learn, and increase my business skill and knowledge.

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What motivates you to succeed? How do you push through the moments of fear or doubt?

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I love the freedom and autonomy that my business provides me, and I find so much excitement in the ability to utilize my skills and creativity for my clients. When there are slow times, new challenges, or hard seasons, I find motivation in the idea of building something bigger than myself. The entrepreneurial path has opened so many doors in my life, things I couldn't have imagined in another career. The desire to continue on this journey has been key in pushing through the tough patches.

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What has been your most satisfying moment in business? What is your favorite aspect of being
an entrepreneur?

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I love that every day holds something new. There are always new skills and knowledge to gain when you are an entrepreneur. And I really enjoy the feeling of encountering a new problem or challenge but being able to use my experiences and skillsets to figure out how to overcome what's before me. Each of those victories are satisfying and encouraging, giving me the confidence to tackle the next thing that comes up.