Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Madelyn Stillman, Founder of Studio Lyn, located in West Chester, PA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Studio Lyn is a branding and creative marketing studio based in the greater Philadelphia area. We craft authentic brands for growing, service-based businesses that want to maximize the impact of their marketing. Our solutions range from brand strategy and identity design to web design and development.
Tell us about yourself
I have always been fascinated by storytelling in every medium. I grew up writing poetry, choreographing dances, taking photos, and molding clay until I discovered the world of branding and marketing in college. I took every opportunity to explore the industry, refine my skills, and identify the kind of work I enjoyed doing and for whom.
I received my B.S. in Interactive Digital Media with minors in Graphic Arts and Film Studies from Immaculata University. Since then, I have been drawing from my diverse background in graphic design, digital media, copywriting, and video production to fuse strategy and creativity into brand and web design. I feel privileged as an entrepreneur to combine my passions into a job I love while shaping a flexible lifestyle.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I launched my business full-time at 20 years old and was able to support myself immediately after graduating from college. More importantly, I've put in many early mornings and late nights to continue evolving my business to support my career goals and ideal lifestyle.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Business owners have to wear all of the hats, especially early on and as solopreneurs. In addition to providing a product or service, you also have to conduct all of the selling, marketing, accounting, customer servicing, and more. Until or unless you find help, running a business requires many different skill sets and a lot of behind-the-scenes, less-than-glamorous work. The good news is that you don't have to do it alone, whether that looks like hiring employees, agencies, or freelancers or soliciting a business coach or mentor. There are also countless resources out there to help you run and optimize your business operations.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Never stop learning. Do research, take online courses, and talk to other business owners. You never know when a new skill or a fresh perspective will take your business to the next level.
- Play to your strengths. Maximize your productivity by focusing on what you're good at and outsourcing what you're not. Bonus points if what you're good at overlaps with what you enjoy.
- Don't be afraid to go against the status quo. You may run your business differently than someone else, but that doesn't mean you're doing it wrong. Understand why you want to start a business, and make decisions based on your individual goals.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://studiolyn.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StudioLynCo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiolyn.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-lyn/
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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