Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Olivia Lopez, Owner of Let's Go Studio, located in Atlanta, GA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Let's Go Studio is a brand and web design studio that focuses on creating bold and empowering websites and brands for small businesses. We put strategy and education at the forefront of every project, delivering beautiful branding that's functional at the same time.
Tell us about yourself
I've been a designer for 10 years, I can hardly believe it! I was fortunate to know I wanted to be a designer from an early age, so I have a design degree and started working directly after my graduation. I survived the corporate world for about 2.5 years before I knew it wasn't for me. I love having different brands and helping many people, as well as having my own schedule. I'm motivated by clients who love seeing how their business can succeed online if they have the right teacher.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Existing in this space through a pandemic and various economic downfalls. It's hard to run a studio in more ways than just design: I'm incredibly proud to have managed workloads, clients, back-end systems, hired teammates and thrived for years. It's not for the faint of heart, and I'm proud every day of everything I've created.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
There's a slow realization that happens after some time as a business owner: that the actual heart of what you do, in my case designing, only takes up 20-30% of the time. The rest of it is the admin and behind-the-scenes work. I've recently hired another designer to allow me to focus on a lot of the internal work, which was one of the hardest things I've done.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Turn into a sponge and soak up all of the communities, platforms, articles, and resources you can. There's so much information and education out there that's totally free: It's yours to take it.
- Decide on a niche and stay put. Too many services, packages, and audiences make it very hard to have focus on a business.
- Really decide on what a healthy level of productivity is for you. I've learned that I've somehow warped and skewed my perception of productivity, which has hurt me.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
There's a big push to "raise rates" across the freelancing community, and I've seen a lot of people get into big trouble with that phrase. Your rates should reflect your level of experience, skill set, and your audience's budgets. For a lot of us, that meant raising our rates because we'd undercharged for so long. For so many others, it means suddenly tripling their rates after only a year of business. Focus on the deliverables you provide and your processes first!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://letsgo.studio/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsgostudiodesign
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lets.go.studio/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviadesignco/
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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