Wednesday, April 22, 2015
CREATIVE BLACK WALL STREET SPOTLIGHT: BRITTANY OF BRITTLYNN DESIGNS
Creative Black Wall Street is an inspiring series focusing on the Young, Determined, and Ambitious Hustlepreneurs who are making things happen while building their amazing brands!
Today, we're hitting the virtual streets with Brittany, creative illustrator and graphic designer behind BrittLynn Designs. She's a triple threat that has skills in not just illustration and graphic arts, but also photography. BLH Designs opened for business last year + has already proven to be a business worth watching. I caught wind of her work a few weeks ago on Instagram after she liked one of my photos. Life works in mysterious ways ...indeed. Let's get to know this talented hustlepreneur.
Q: Why does BrittLynn Designs make a creative difference?
A: When I began BrittLynn Designs, it was because I wanted to create my own art and share my art with others. Though this mission still reigns true, I decided to expound and create branding graphic art for businesses and young entrepreneurs. I want to make a creative difference by helping beginning entrepreneurs, young creatives, and other business owners. I meet so many wonderful young creatives, who need someone to understand their dreams and their aspirations. BrittLynn Designs’ difference is to understand them, and to take the time to hear their visions, their style, their stories, and we learn from one another. It’s not always about the money that’s made, but the people that you meet and the creativity that you help propel!
A: As a creative, I define hard work as making myself get out of bed in the morning, and getting work done during the week. Leaving my full-time job was difficult, but I knew that in order to accomplish my dream, I had to take that leap of faith! Since I don't have the usual 8-5 job anymore, hard work is getting assignments completed without a supervisor looking over your shoulder. Hard work is never hard if you love your work, even with my most challenging assignments, I carry on and push through because I KNOW that this is what I want to do.
Q: What are 3 lessons you wish you would have learned before becoming an entrepreneur? Why?
A:
- 1- Be prepared for the unexpected. - Things may not always go as planned, just as life. Entrepreneurship takes dedication, leadership and effort, all qualities I had beforehand, but it definitely takes just a little bit more. I researched tips and advice, connected with other entrepreneurs, learned from my clients, and these are the things that have helped me on my journey.
- 2- Stay true to your goals. - As an entrepreneur, if you have a set goal in mind, stick to it. There will be people that say, "Oh, I couldn't be an entrepreneur, I need a steady paycheck." Though this statement has some truth, nothing is guaranteed, even if you have a full-time, 8-5 job. Keeping your head screwed on straight, staying prayerful and depending upon your willpower is the key. Never forget why you're doing it in the first place!
- 3- Legalities - Research what it takes to be an entrepreneur, in the eyes of the law! I researched for weeks before I went live with my website. With only a few months into my entrepreneurship, I am still researching topics of, paying taxes, trademark law, copyright law, LLC/Sole Proprietorship/C-Corps, etc. It will make your head spin, just stay calm, seek guidance and keep record of EVERYTHING!
FILL IN THE BLANKS: If I had words, I could create a book without meaning."
R: As an artist, all you need are the tools, talent, paint brush, whatever, (words) to create art (book) and should not have to provide interpretation or explanation (meaning) – you are an artist, because you express that you are, not by following expectation. As an artist, you are the words that create the book, and therefore, not responsible for the meaning that the words create, because meanings change, the art does not. For instance, if I create an art piece, very obviously, of a woman sitting in a chair, people will establish various meaning to that art piece, thus, the meaning changes, but the art remains the same - a woman sitting in a chair.
A:
- 1) Project Timeline and Time Management - Once I left my full-time job, I had more time to dedicate to my clients, which was great!
- 2) Managing Multiple Projects at once - Managing the time that is spent on each individual project, and multi-tasking.
- 3) Defining pricing and payment guidelines - I researched how to price varying projects and gave myself guidelines on how I would receive payment.
- 4) Balancing Work and Personal Life - Since this is still a job, finding time for myself was still very important and keeping a balance between my professional and my personal life, was also very important, whether it was completing projects for family members or friends.
- 5) Saving the money that was earned - It's easy to go out and purchase pretty things when you have a job that has a consistent paycheck, but I am working two part-time jobs and managing a business, therefore, setting a budget for myself and separating business and personal money is an essential decision.
Q:Where do you see BrittLynn Designs accomplishing within the next year?
A:Within the next year, I plan to launch an online digital magazine, for young entrepreneurs. It is in the beginning stages of trademarking and development, but I am very excited! It will be under a different name, but I will be Founder and Editor-in-Chief of course, so, still Britt Lynn Designs related! For my graphic art shop, adding new products (in addition to prints) and for my branding company, gaining new clients and branding packages.
Q: If you had only one major piece of advice to give to anyone seeking to start their own creative business, what would that advice be?
A: Be willing to take a leap of faith for what you want to accomplish and always develop and grow your skill. I'm not saying to quit your job with no PLAN B or way of paying your rent! I am not doing this full-time, since I still have part-time jobs, however, I did receive a reduction in pay per month. Some people can start their own business while working a full-time job, I could not afford to dedicate 40 hours a week in an office. I needed more time in order to make things happen for the multiple avenues I was taking. I believed in God and made it happen!
Drop a comment! Click To Tweet The Quotes if you took any great advice from this post! We'd both love to see and hear from you!!
FOLLOW THIS HUSTLEPRENEUR
www.brittlynndesigns.com | Twitter: @brittlynndesign| Instagram: @brittlynndesigns| Facebook: BrittLynn Designs
Maybe we've all been there and had those clients who seemed super excited to begin working on their projects and in the midst of things, they disappear. In my entire four years of operating my own business, I've only had two clients who abandoned major projects. To this very day, I still couldn't tell you why.
For starters, most people will give the impression that they are super serious about building their brands, online presence, and growing their businesses in the best way possible. On the receiving end of things, you're excited for them, right? I understand things happen in life but what's so hard about making a commitment to something and involve the time of someone else just to waste it? It's not only a huge waste of time, it's pretty dang inconsiderate.
In the beginning stages of starting my business, it took some adjusting my own schedule and work ethic to avoid as many issues as possible, Mostly, so I wouldn't lose to few clients I did have. I've had my share of disappointing my clients with being tardy with deadlines and sometimes crappy tech issues that once cost me a major project. I've since improved my consistency and continue to improve daily.
If you're dealing with clients who were all serious business and ready to dive into working with you but later abandoned ship - here are 3 things you can and should do to handle those situations.
1. HAVE A POLICY IN PLACE
This was one big mistake I had in the beginning. Not that I didn't have a policy, I just completely failed to enforce it. I was the yes girl" back then, I wanted to please everybody just to make a buck. In return, my policies were unread, abused, and misused. One thing to note is that people will indeed be people- if you don't position yourself as an authority who values your time - others will take advantage of that.
Your policies or "terms" to working with you should be clear and concise. It should also outline the fine print where you set boundaries and expectations. At least this way, you would be protected should any issue arise.
Don't allow others to take advantage of your time, energy, or hard work. Like them, you should expect respect as well.
— Neosha G. (@HUNCreative) April 16, 2015
Remember those two clients I mentioned in the beginning of this post? Well one thing they both had in common was that they paid me $400+ in a project advance and literally bounced into thin air within weeks. Maybe they realized they weren't ready to grow within their business. Maybe they just got "too busy" - Either way, follow ups are ideal. After a certain amount of time (in policy) or however, shoot your client an email letting them know 3 major points:
- The amount of time it's been since last communication
- What you expect from them and why
- A deadline to "get back with you"
Below is a screenshot of an email template I would use for certain clients if they fail to communicate with me after a certain time period. Keep it short, professional, and to the point.
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I know this may seem harsh just by the looks but trust me when I say you don't have to mail them a pink slip. If you find that a client is often consistent with their own serious business- it may be time to let them go. Send off an email explaining why you may no longer be a good fit for the things they need. Most times, I find that referring them to someone they would probably work better with helps. This varies though because I despise referring clients to others if I feel the client will waste their time as well.
Don't feel bad for taking matters into your own hands. I find it so uncommon for people to waste money like this for their own goals. Clients who don't value your time can cause great setbacks within your business. A token I've learned from my own experience. Do what you got to do in order to keep the "happy" in what you do.
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH CLIENTS YOU THOUGHT WHO ABANDON SHIP WITHOUT NOTICE?
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
How To Create A Simple Advertising Budget That Will Work For You
Oh yes... budgeting. This is often a task that many of us fail in several areas of our lives. For those who like to say they're in business however, having an advertising budget can make all the difference between having success and being somewhere between getting a few sales and going out of business. You want success right? You kind of have to be willing to invest more into your business other than your time and energy.
Let me be honest here, my first year or so running my own business was budget-less. I was a bit stingy when it came to investing into great advertising. Don't get me wrong, I was doing well and got new clients on a regular basis but mostly via referrals of those I had already worked with previously. Come my second year in business I wanted to do better than well. So I tested out a few places to advertise. From black owned biz websites to implementing client thank you gifts (which I sucked at, at first).
Those experiences proved one thing to me... paying for advertising is so WORTH it. I may not have become a millionaire overnight but the results greatly exceeded my investment. I started off with small amounts and increased gradually. Here is how I did it.
1. For every sale or project you gain, take at least $10 of the cost and put it aside for advertising investments.
2. For every $400 I made for example, I would take $100 and put it aside. For every $50, I'd put away at least $20. Trust, that amount goes a long way if you learn to streamline your efforts properly.
3. If you don't make the income from your business just yet, you can start small. $5 may not get you those thousands of Facebook views or click-throughs but it'll get you 33,000 eyes further than than the 6 or 12 views you may normally receive.
"It's always better to have 6 extra eyes than no eyes at all when you want to succeed in your business." #smallbiz #HUCreative
— HasneoUnique (@HUNCreative) February 21, 2015
Avoiding the RedBox wouldn't hurt either.
For those of you who work a 9 to 5 while trying to build your business, taking a percentage of each check you receive and putting it towards your marketing efforts REALLY helps in the long-run so take advantage of Uncle Sam's money for the best.
You can download my Biz Advertising For Your Niche printable here to help you visualize and maintain your marketing efforts within your business. Tweet This if you love it and good luck!!
ARE YOU INVESTING IN AN ADVERTISING BUDGET FOR YOUR SMALL BIZ? WHY OR WHY NOT?
The first of many creative features here on the DMC blog. I wanted to create a special place to share others I feel many of you should WANT and NEED to know about. Creative Black Wall Street is an inspiring series focusing on the Young, Determined, and Ambitious Hustlepreneurs who are making things happen while building their amazing brands!
Today, we're hitting the virtual streets with Tamara, owner and designer of Baydian, LLC.
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