Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Alcoke.
Hi Maria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have a background in graphic design, photography and digital media. I studied photography and interactive media in undergrad at the University of Delaware and received a Masters in Digital Art through MICA in Baltimore, MD. After grad school I moved to San Diego to pursue a career in the action sports industry as a graphic and web designer. I worked as in-house designer for several brands during the first years of my career and pivoted to teach multimedia and design at the high school level at a charter school. While I continued to work full-time, I also took on freelance project work for various clients and as life changed (marriage, motherhood, moving back to the east coast from California), I chose to focus on freelance as my full-time work. In the early stages of motherhood, I had part-time childcare for my daughter, I coached fitness classes (a much-needed social outlet) and built up a book of business with freelance clients. Fast-forward to 10 years (and another kid) later – I have built a thriving creative agency, with a wonderful team of contractors that support our projects. I have incredible clients in industries that range from real estate, financial services, wellness providers, local businesses and non-profits. There have been headaches and stress along the way, of course – but I am proud of the growth of my business and the premium experience I provide for my clients. As a purely referral-based business, I truly live through my core values, including community & connection.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. I would say the biggest struggles I have faced along the way were my own self-doubt and imposter-sydrome. I have learned that there is always room for personal growth and mindset shifts. Mindset it so important when you’re an entrepreneur. Taking risks, getting uncomfortable and making hard decisions are all part of the process and I was my own worst enemy at times. Aside from those struggles, there were also times in the earlier stages of growth where I found myself trying to do everything myself and not knowing how – but not knowing how or where to find support.
As you know, we’re big fans of MariaVida Creative. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
MariaVida Creative is where design meets strategy and passion meets purpose, seamlessly. We are firm believers in the transformative influence of intentional creation, fostering personal connections, and curating brand experiences that transform your audience into fans for life.
When you work with us, you get creative experts who are as authentic, dedicated, and driven as you are. Your brand has a unique story, and we’re here to unveil its full potential. From refining your brand voice to crafting a memorable visual identity, we specialize in tailored graphic and web design that not only looks amazing but also attracts and converts.
Our approach has consistently prioritized strategic graphic and web design to craft a lived-in brand, but how do we define this?
Building a ‘lived-in brand’ involves crafting a brand capable of establishing a genuine connection with your audience – understanding their values, preferences, and needs. This kind of brand experience strives to be relevant and present in various aspects of the customer’s life, building a continuous and meaningful relationship. The goal is to establish a brand that customers not only use but also emotionally connect with on a day-to-day basis. This is also how we approach our relationships with our clients. We pride ourselves on providing a premium experience, where a client feels truly heard, valued and included in the process.
As the digital space becomes more saturated by AI and generic design, infusing soul, personality, and purpose into your brand, website, and messaging is more crucial than ever. That’s what we’re here for. We offer the following services: brand strategy, brand identity (more than just logos – we provide your full brand story, MVV, messaging, etc), website design and development, website hosting and website management, ad-hoc graphic design and packaging design, and professional photography services.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Hire a business coach or mentor and outsource the things that you are not good at. I know it can be daunting as a new business owner to spend more when you may not have the consistent income upfront, but the investment in your growth is invaluable. Learn to get comfortable being uncomfortable (it’s cliché, but true). Resourcefulness is crucial as you build a business and evolve. Learn how to leverage Google, YouTube, AI, etc to solve problems – or better yet, hire someone to solve those problems for you so you can focus on your “zone of genius”. Focus on making really great connections – you don’t have to talk about your work all the time, but in most cases, your work is an extension of you and the service(s) you provide could bring great value to the people you come in contact with regularly, so don’t be afraid to make it known what you are an expert in and how you can help.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mariavida.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/maria.alcoke
