Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cristina Robinson, founder of The Lovely Geek, located in Folsom, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm the founder and designer behind The Lovely Geek, a web design studio aimed at elevating women in their online presence. I specialize in website design and development for Showit and WordPress, but I have experience working with other platforms. I create websites for small businesses, mostly women-owned, and I provide ongoing support with any marketing, design, and website needs they may have beyond the lifecycle of their initial project. I like to think of myself as my clients' creative director and brand partner.
Tell us about yourself
My passion for web design began in high school, where I spent my free time learning HTML and CSS to create my own designs for various blogging platforms. I was able to take advantage of this new hobby through an introductory web design class and by becoming a TA (teacher's assistant) to the head of the technology department. By the time I graduated high school, I had redesigned my school's website, won an award for it and got hired for a summer internship with Intel.
I continued to grow my skill over the years through various side projects and freelancing. I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Web Design & Interactive Media, and I spent nearly a decade working for local Sacramento agencies before ultimately becoming my own boss. My experience with big agencies inspired me to help small businesses, making quality web design more accessible.
The journey to motherhood wasn't easy, so when I gave birth to my daughter in 2019, I knew I wanted to find a way to stay home with her and still do what I love. I dove into full-time freelancing, working with various small businesses on their websites as well as social media management, email marketing, and graphic design.
When I had my son in 2021, juggling parenthood while running a business forced me to re-evaluate what I really wanted to spend my time on. Just because I knew how to do it all didn't mean I should. I scaled down, and now I've found my niche working one-on-one with my fellow female entrepreneurs.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Staying in business for as long as I have despite the rapid changes in the industry. I've been creating websites professionally for almost two decades, and while the technology has evolved, the end goal has remained the same, make the web a more beautiful and user-friendly place.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Setting and sticking to boundaries. In those early days, you tend to say yes to way more things than you should, and it can very quickly lead to burnout. As you grow, it becomes harder to say no unless you establish those boundaries early on. When you get clear about who you are and what you value, you'll be amazed at the kind of clients you'll attract (and avoid). Everyone is not your target audience.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Tip 1: Don't rely on social media to run the online portion of your business just because it's free and easy. It can go away at any time, and the algorithm is constantly changing. Instead, nurture an email list and a website where you can control the conversation. Social media is a great tool, but it should be used to lead people to your website, not the other way around.
Tip 2: Before you start a website, social media, or any other marketing materials, invest in your brand first. A solid, cohesive brand with the right content and messaging sets the foundation for everything that follows. So many times, I've worked with businesses that have little to no branding, and it costs them more in the long run than if they invested in it to start. Your brand isn't just your logo. It's how people remember you.
Tip 3: Don't underestimate the power of what your website can do for your business. As business owners, it's easy to get caught up in feeling like we have to do all the things, but there's so much we can hand off to our website and make it do the work for us. Your website is the most powerful tool in your business toolbox - don't overlook it!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thelovelygeek.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovelygeek
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovelygeek/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lovelygeek
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thelovelygeek/
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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