small biz chats: Kate Baird
I'm excited to share today's edition of Small Biz Chats with Kate Baird of Katelyn Brooke. She's a web designer/developer who specializes in Wordpress sites for creative women. She has a great story to share and awesome style. Enjoy!
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What is your business, and why did you start it?I create WordPress websites for creative women. In the fall of 2011, I found myself having recently graduated from college, newly married, and living in a small town. I'd had a (very) small blog for a while, and since I didn't have a job I was looking into designing my blog myself. What I found instead was a class on how to become a blog designer. When I was done I was totally hooked! My business has evolved to be more based around websites and branding for small business.
What were you doing before you launched your business?I had started substitute teaching in our local school system, and before that I had been an architecture student. I basically created my first job out of college, which was something I never would have envisioned for myself!
How did you find your first paying clients/customers, and what really helped you to grow your business?I advertised on a few blog design related sites at first, but from there it really became word of mouth. I was growing my personal blog alongside my business, and most of my clients found me that way, and then through my social media presence.
What tools are most important to help you stay organized and on task?I use a combination of Basecamp and my Day Designer to organize my client projects. Basecamp helps me plan more long term across the week, and I love having a paper planner to help me plan each day as it comes.
What aspect of your business is your absolute favorite thing that you do?For me it isn't really one task, it's really just when my clients are tickled with something I've presented to them. In my experience, that's most likely to happen towards the beginning of the design process or at the very end once the final thing is launched.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to launch his/her own dream business?Start where you are and don't be afraid to change course down the road. I think a lot of people get stuck because they feel like they'll be tied to whatever it is they decide to do or how they decide to do it - the possibilities are endless and no one is saying you have to stay the same!
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Thanks to Kate for chatting with me!
Find Kate online: Website • Instagram • Twitter • Pinterest
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