Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Afton Baily Griffin, Founder and CEO of A Brand Strategy Consulting, located in Houston, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
A Brand Strategy Consulting is a marketing consulting firm that offers comprehensive traditional and digital marketing services to established small-to-medium-sized businesses throughout the U.S., with offices in Houston and Wichita Falls, Texas.
Tell us about yourself
I started my company after an extensive amount of time in not-for-profit and non-profit work where my teams were consultant heavy. These external consultants provided such valuable insights and were such a pleasure to work with, plus they were their own bosses. That is when I knew I wanted to play that kind of role for others. I am motivated to help other company owners achieve their dreams while simultaneously fulfilling my own.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
When I see a business I helped start to thrive, I know I am doing exactly what I am meant to be doing. Many companies come to me as start-ups, and the most difficult thing for them is the concept of the length of time it will take for their businesses to build momentum. We tell them that it will take up to six months and, more likely, a year to see the progress they want. This is due to the amount of time and effort that it takes to build name ID and grab market share through digital and traditional boots-on-the-ground marketing.
I have two great examples of this. First, A New Leaf School is a new school in Houston Heights offering a new model for learning in the private elementary school space. They came to us with many needs, and we worked directly with them to stay within their budget while simultaneously maximizing their returns. After nearly six months of effort, they are getting real traction and tangible applicants for their inaugural year.
Secondly, Medical Incentive Advisors is a tax specialty service for business owners specializing in R&D and ERC tax credits. We've spent the last two years growing their marketing share through targeted digital marketing and in-person partnerships and, to date, have watched them recover over $700 million for their clients from the IRS. With our clients, their success is our success.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Time management. When self-employed, you eat what you kill, and it is difficult to turn business away because you are busy with another project that should already be completed. Therefore some weeks, there is a lot of overtime, and some weeks there is a lot of downtimes. I deal with this by being flexible with my after-hours work schedule and just focusing on getting things done on time.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Feel the fear of starting your own business; don't fight it. It is like an undertow and will wash you away if you don't accept the fear for what it is and ride it out. Starting your own business IS scary, and that should be acknowledged and worked through.
- Network, network, network! People can't hire you if they don't know what you are doing. You have to be your own best salesman. Set up two meetings per week to just network with folks and get the word out.
- COMMIT. Starting a company is not a get-rich-quick scenario. It takes work every day for years to make your business profitable. Consistency and commitment over time lead to results. Anyone that tells you differently is lying,
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://abrandstrategy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABrandStrategy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abrandstrategy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-brand-strategy-consulting-llc/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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