We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anna Abrahams. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anna below.

Anna, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)? Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style.

Absolutely! I’d love to go back to my first marketing internship at a financial firm, but first, a little backstory.

Picture this: I started my journey at LSU as a marketing major, completely oblivious to the world of graphic design. During my marketing internship, I quickly realized that people expected me to have design skills too, which proved frustrating since I didn’t have a clue about graphic design.

I found myself out of my league on many occasions, as I lacked the necessary tools and knowledge for design work. It was a bit disheartening to put in efforts and not receive credit for my work.

One day, while interning alongside me, my friend Nicole noticed my struggles and made a recommendation. She had a background in graphic design and saw an opportunity to help me out. Nicole recommended that I take the “Intro to Visual Communications” class in the Mass Comm department, which was basically the introduction to all of the Adobe platforms that graphic designers use, as well as web design. She thought would be really helpful for me.

Eager to learn and improve, I decided to follow Nicole’s advice and sign up for the class. But, there was a little problem – the class was for majors only, and I wasn’t officially a Mass Comm major. Instead of giving up, I took a shot and wrote a heartfelt and detailed email to the department, explaining my situation and how much this class would mean for my career growth.
To my surprise, the department responded positively, and they allowed me to enroll in the class. Little did I know how much of a turning point this decision would become in my career.

Once in that class, something just clicked. I fell head over heels in love with graphic design! It was like discovering a hidden passion that had been lying dormant inside me all along. The class not only taught me valuable design skills but also ignited a spark in me that changed the trajectory of my career.

Now, here’s the exciting part. Fast forward a bit, and I’m hosting my very own internship programs. My experience during that first marketing internship, especially the aspect of not being credited for my work, left a deep impression on me. I made sure to apply those lessons and create an environment in my internships where interns receive proper recognition for the work they complete.

Looking back, I’m grateful I took the risk and was persistent in seeking help. If it weren’t for Nicole’s advice paired with determination, I might have never discovered my passion for design, and my career would have taken a completely different path.

I say all of this to say, try to be open to new opportunities, seek guidance from those who see your potential, and don’t be afraid to take risks – you never know where they might lead you! And hey, if you find yourself in a position to help others, be like Nicole – generous and supportive, helping someone unlock their hidden talents. It might just change their life too!

Anna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Yes, so I’m the founder of Visual Branding Group, a women owned design and marketing firm that offers beautiful and functional solutions. We help small to mid-sized businesses bring all of their branding and marketing efforts under one roof. To do this, we offer everything from brand design, web development, photo and video content creation, social media strategy, project management support and more.

When I founded VBG right out of college, I quickly noticed how many small business owners were juggling a crazy amount of tasks and their branding was spiraling in multiple directions. This not only confused their customers but also left them feeling overwhelmed. We wanted to change that by streamlining their branding as a whole and taking some tasks off their plate, enabling them to function in their zone of genius (usually, the reason they went into business in the first place).

Using our creative lens, we help customers fall in love with our client’s brands, ensuring our clients are resonating with their audiences in the most beautiful way. We provide beautiful and functional branding, along with clear communication, to help lead small businesses to new heights.

As a woman owned and led company, we are driven by our passion for serving women-led businesses.

What really gets me excited is a fantastic before and after! There’s something so satisfying about witnessing a brand transformation go from just “okay” to absolutely spectacular. But you know what’s even more rewarding? Seeing business owners flourish once their branding tools are all in sync, working wonders for them! From website upgrades to nailing that brand consistency, it’s incredible how these small changes can make a world of difference for their success. I just can’t get enough of the magic that happens when a brand finds its true essence and shines bright!

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

My strategy for growing clientele is all about creating an exceptional experience for our clients. I firmly believe that a happy client is the best advocate, so I make it a priority to provide them with a fantastic experience from start to finish. By going above and beyond to meet their needs and expectations, we aim to build strong relationships that lead to enthusiastic referrals from satisfied clients. Additionally, I actively request Google reviews from our clients, which not only boosts our online visibility through improved SEO but also helps potential customers discover our work.

To ensure long-term success, I follow a simple mantra: under promise and over deliver. By setting realistic expectations and then surpassing them, we continuously exceed client expectations, leaving them delighted with our services. Furthermore, meeting deadlines and delivering well-organized files are non-negotiable for us. Our clients’ time is valuable, and we want them to feel confident in our ability to deliver top-notch results promptly and efficiently. Sadly, this area can be lacking in the creative industry and we want to work to change that.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Fostering brand loyalty and maintaining strong relationships with my clients are key priorities for me. One of the ways I like to do this is by actively supporting their endeavors and celebrating their successes. Whether it’s attending their classes, workshops, or events, I make an effort to show up and be there for them. I also love to share their work and accomplishments on social media, giving them a well-deserved shoutout and recognition for their efforts. It’s important to stay in touch regularly, not just when there’s a project on the table. I make a point of checking in, sending personalized messages, and genuinely showing interest in their lives and business. Moreover, word-of-mouth is a powerful tool, so I enthusiastically tell others about the exceptional work my clients do. By staying connected, supporting their journey, and promoting their work, I strive to build trust and loyalty, turning clients into long-term brand advocates.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.visualbrandinggroup.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/visualbrandgroup
• Facebook: Facebook.com/morevisuals

Image Credits
Maggie Bradshaw Photo