Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with GG LeMere, Owner of Smidge Design Studio, located in Scottsdale, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Smidge Design Studio is a multidisciplinary graphic design studio. We provide branding, design, and creative consulting for small to mid-sized businesses. And we also collaborate with design or strategic marketing agencies who are looking to add comprehensive design services to a larger strategic branding initiative.
Tell us about yourself
When I was in school, I chose graphic design because I thought it was a way to put my love for making art into practice within a business setting. However, I eventually figured out that the business of design is actually not at all about me or any personal stake in the project but instead about clients and solving their business problems creatively. Although it was a tough realization... today, it’s what has kept me in this business for almost 25 years. The challenge of solving business problems in a creative way uses both sides of my brain and keeps me engaged. I also love meeting new people with each project, learning about their businesses, having a goal we're working towards together, and helping them communicate visually because not everyone can do that for themselves.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner (so far) has been growing beyond the point of feeling like I had to take every job and arriving at knowing the best-fit type of client for my current business model. And being ok with telling potential clients if we aren’t the best fit. The reputation of my business is built upon word of mouth from happy clients. Better to be honest upfront with myself and with clients to ensure a happy and successful partnership for everyone involved.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Time management. When I worked for other people, someone was always watching and setting expectations and telling me what to work on next — all things I thought I wanted to be rid of. As a business owner, wearing all the hats and having to set my own goals and expectations with no one telling me what to do makes me feel a little lost in space sometimes and I miss having someone boss me around!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be true to who you are. If you’re running a small business like mine, you ARE the business. It’s really hard to get through the day if you’re trying to stick within a mold of how you think you should appear to clients. It’s so much easier to approach every day as yourself. Understand that your business is not necessarily a fit for everyone, and that’s ok. The more of me I’ve infused into my process and my client interactions, the easier those interactions have become. And the clients I tend to attract are a better fit which makes the work more fun.
- Get comfortable being uncomfortable because you’re about to encounter a whole lot of what you’ve never done before. Then take notes from every failure, and be a good boss to yourself by taking the time to celebrate victories big and small.
- Foster relationships in every direction. Allow yourself to lean on your support system and never be afraid to reach out to people with more experience who can offer advice from already having done it right (or wrong). If you have an arsenal of support and guidance, you’ll have the confidence you need to just keep swimming.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.smidgedesignstudio.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smidge.design/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gg-lemere-a6420b6/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.