Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Brand.
Hi Karen, 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.
Thank you for allowing me to share my story! I hope that it can be inspirational to others.
My story begins with a desire to break out of a graphic design job where I felt limited and undervalued. I knew I could do more. I’ve always had a love of color and design as well as a natural inclination for technology, and I needed to find a way to expand and show what I could do.
I started my business and began finding clients and learning how to run a graphic design business (I added web design services when the internet began getting popular). There were more questions than answers in the beginning, so I attended as many business workshops as I could on all kinds of topics. I learned how to speak effectively to clients, train my mind for success, and of course learn new software. It has been a constant learning process. Technology has changed rapidly, and sometimes it’s been a struggle to keep up with it.
Over the years, I have gained confidence in many areas and grown both professionally and personally. This year will be my 28th anniversary, and I’m very proud of what I have accomplished thus far.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My business road has been full of bumps and bruises, and I’ve had to learn how to navigate through them. I’ve had rough times when I wanted to throw in the towel, and I’ve also had victories where I land a client or finish up a complicated project. Those times are priceless!
Having a business is not easy – there are so many unforeseen things that you have to figure out as you go along. I quickly learned to expect the unexpected and that I must be flexible to succeed. There are many things that a business owner cannot control, like the economy or events like 9/11.
One of my biggest struggles is losing a client whom I’ve worked with for a significant period. It’s a financial hit obviously, but it also can feel very personal, like losing a friend. Another struggle is managing finances effectively. Unlike a regular job, monthly income is uneven, so making sure that my spending is realistic is key.
They say that you grow through struggle and adversity, and I believe this to be true. I often look back to hard times and see that they taught me a lot about myself, that I can stumble a bit, but ultimately get back up and keep going.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I offer web design to all types of companies, as well as monthly CARE plans that watch over your website so that you can sleep at night.
Need business cards or a brochure? I do graphic design as well.
What makes you happy?
Happiness is my chihuahua, Penny.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brandcreativeco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandcreativeco_webdesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandCreativeCo/
