We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alilia Toney a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alilia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?
If I could go back in time, I definitely would have chosen to start my business sooner or later. I started my business back in my senior year of high school and I was in a place in my life of wanting to call something my own, but I truly didn’t know where to start. I was getting ready to head to college and was still confused on what I wanted to do with my career, but I knew I had a true passion for design. Personally, I feel as if I would have had a chance to start earlier I would be higher in my professional field and more aware of all of the obstacles that comes with being an entrepreneur. If I knew what I do now back then I would be greater than I am today.
Alilia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am the proud owner of Digitally Boujie! I am 20 year old self taught graphic designer from Memphis, TN. I provide branding services for other business owners, such as logos, flyers, social media content and more, and I also have an upcoming project that will be put out into the world in 2023. It is my job to make my clients life easier by giving their business an entire new look. The things that set me apart from others in my career field, would be how much of a personal and professional relationship that I develop with my clients and their businesses. I treat every business I come in contact with as if it was my own. I am most proud to say I have been able to be apart of this field for 3+ years and I am at a point of being called a professional in my hometown by many people. I try to show all of my future and current clients how true I am, and just as much as their business matters to them it means so much more to me!
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
It was very difficult in the beginning to build my audience on social media. I would see other designers and somewhat try to mimic how they would present their work on their page until one day I just didn’t anymore. I reached out to other designers in my community and they all told me the very same thing – “find your niche!” Basically meaning develop your brand around the people YOU want to work with. Ever since I heard that advice I was able to take off ever since and build a high following on social media. I advise everyone to find their niche, figure out who you truly want to work with and you’re destined to be unstoppable.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I believe my professionalism, previous clientele, and many other connections helped me build my reputation within my market. The more people I met the more I was able to learn and also possible work with them. I always strive to be professional when handling business, because I was always told your first impression means everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://form.jotform.com/221614824558055
- Instagram: boujieefxdesigns
- Facebook: Boujieefx Designs