Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amber Payton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Amber, thanks for joining us today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.
If I were starting my business all over again, I would do a few things differently. For instance, I would do more research about my industry in order to better understand pricing. I would also consult with a business coach sooner and choose my clients more wisely. In the beginning, I was working with any client that was willing to pay me. If I knew then what I know now, I would be more selective when deciding which brands to work with. Lastly, I would take the time to better brand my own business from the beginning as I’m currently on my second rebrand and I’m only 2 years in. Everything was a learning curve for me since I had very little industry knowledge in the field that I’m in now.
Amber, 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?
I am a brand strategist, graphic designer, and product photographer from Houston, TX. I started my undergrad education at age 16 at the prestigious Cornell University, studying Marketing and Communication. After a year-long break to gain some real-world experience, I completed my undergrad education, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Houston in 2016.
In November 2020, I opened Goldenbloom Studios after aiding in the successful launch of a family member’s skincare business. Since then, I have worked with several clients across a range of industries, creating brand stories that are crafted to resonate with their target audience while also helping them find their own unique voice & style so they can stand out from the crowd.
My goal is to make sure my clients feel comfortable, confident and excited about their brands as they’re either just starting their entrepreneurial journey or looking to rebrand an already established business. Either way, I work with them to create visual assets that are fun, functional and reflect their brand’s unique style. So whether you need help with your brand strategy, designing the visual elements for your brand or need me to take product photos for you, I’m here to help!
Moreover, when I’m not working on client projects, I enjoy spending time with my husband and mini-Goldendoodle puppy (Teddy 🐶), hitting the trail for a bike ride, or crafting.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I want to improve the perception of the marketing/branding industry so that it is seen as being customer-centric, transparent, and ethical. This would be a huge change from the current perception of the industry as being a soulless and manipulative tool used by corporations to make money. I also want to be able to provide small business owners with more access to creative resources in order to make them more competitive when compared to larger companies in their industries with bigger marketing budgets.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Honestly, social media and word of mouth. Most of my clients currently come from Instagram, while others were referred to me by other clients. Specifically when it comes to social media, posting work done as “passion projects” tends to get more engagement than actual client work. For instance, for most of my product photography passion projects, I photograph products that I actually use from larger companies and tag them when I post. In fact, I even had the head of marketing from a well-known black hair-care brand reach out to me via Instagram DM as a result of her seeing one of my photoshoots using their products. Needless to say, that was exciting!
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Photo of me – Sweenshots Studio of Houston, TX