We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alli Robertson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Alli, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I have had a few different Graphic Design positions working regular hours using my design degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. I have noticed that working under someone else is a creative reeled puts A LOT of limitations on what you can do and how you can do it. I did not thrive in office environments where quantity of work was pushed more than quality of work.

So I took a risk…

I quit my regular job as a Graphic Designer/Social Media Manager and started TWO businesses. I own a freelance design business, where I create logos, signage, branding, run social media accounts, and even illustrate books! I also own a restoration business where I take old furniture and restore or improve it to sell again.

Both businesses have grown a lot over the last year and are starting to see a more steady stream of clients. The risk of quitting my job and starting my two businesses was not seen as a great idea by everyone, but I have an amazing family that supports me and encourages me to keep going.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have always loved vintage furniture and houses and restoring furniture started as a hobby that turned into a business. I would find free or cheap furniture at thrift stores or garage sales and improve them for people that I know or to sell again on Facebook. Once people saw what I was doing, I started to get asked to do custom projects and furniture was also donated to my business.

My freelance design business works really well to manage the design side of my furniture business as well as help others with their business. I have worked with big and small businesses, creating their logos and branding as well as managing their social media to help with their marketing goals.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn putting time limits on everything.

I have worked for a company where we had a literal timer going for every project, email, break, or meeting. Let’s just say the nice way to put it was that it was a nightmare.

I have learned that with the creative side of a business you need freedom to let your creative mind and skills mix to complete a job. I focus way more on the quality of my products than the quantity.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I am lucky that I have a degree in design as well as a naturally creative mind, so social media is so easy for me. I love the challenge of the constant changes and trends that happen on the platforms and I find so much joy with connect to my audience on them.

My advice for businesses struggling with social media is if you want to grow post every single day, if you want to maintain post at least 3 times a week. If this is something that you are aren’t able to do because of all the other responsibilities of running a business than there is nothing wrong with hiring it out! Don’t add another thing to your very full plate.

If you are curious on how much it would cost to hire someone, the pricing varies greatly between freelancers and agencies. The usual cost to hire someone in house to manage just your social media accounts can be overwhelming for small businesses to take on. Most in house social media managers get paid a minimum of $2,000 a month. For my freelance social media contract I only charge $5o0 a month and I only allow myself to take on 10 clients at a time because quality content matters to me.    

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restoredbyalli/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restoredbyalli/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCngvvaJGqkEbSywf5Chv8oA