We were lucky to catch up with Anastasiia Glekel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Anastasiia , appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

One of the most significant things that my parents did right was to never hold me back from pursuing my goals and dreams. They were always supportive of my educational and career choices, even if they didn’t fully comprehend the industry or field that I was interested in. This unwavering support has been instrumental in allowing me to chase my passions and work towards achieving my aspirations.

Another aspect in which my parents excelled was in their approach to family vacations. They made sure that we travelled extensively during my childhood, and this gave me a broader perspective on life and the world around me. This exposure to different cultures, languages, and ways of living gave me a sense of abundance and possibility, and made me appreciate the diversity of the world we live in.

In summary, my parents’ encouragement of my dreams and their commitment to providing me with experiences that enriched my life have been critical in shaping me into the person I am today. Their unwavering support has allowed me to explore my potential, and their commitment to travel has given me a broader understanding of the world and my place in it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

From a young age, I’ve had a deep passion for art and design. It’s what drives me every day and has brought me to where I am today. I studied graphic design in the US, Russia and started my career in the field, but I soon realized that my true interest lay in branding.

Creating a unique brand identity that resonates with its audience is not just about designing logos and packaging; it’s about telling a story, evoking emotions, and building trust with customers. I founded my branding agency to help businesses achieve this, and it has been an incredible journey so far.

One of the things that drives me the most is the connection that a brand can create between a business and its customers. It’s not just about selling a product or service; it’s about building a relationship that is based on trust, understanding, and mutual respect. When I see the impact that my branding work has on a business and its customers, it’s an incredible feeling that I can’t quite put into words.

I believe that branding is about creating a connection that goes beyond just the visual identity, and I’m dedicated to helping businesses achieve that through my work.

I’m proud to say that my branding agency has been busy creating over 50 unique branding projects in the last two years. We have had the pleasure of working with a wide range of industries, including fashion, healthcare, IT, consulting, non-commercial, beauty, and food & beverages all over the world: in the US, New Zealand, Europe, Australia, China, and the UAE.

Each of these projects has presented a unique challenge and opportunity to connect with a new audience. It’s been a great experience for my team and me to work on such a diverse range of projects, and it has allowed us to hone our skills and expertise in creating memorable brand experiences.

In addition to my career as an Art Director and branding agency founder, I’m also currently expecting my first child! It’s an exciting time for me, and I’m thrilled to be able to combine my pregnancy with my work.

Having a baby on the way has brought a new level of joy to my life, and it has given me a new perspective on the work that I do. I’m even more committed to creating meaningful branding experiences for my clients because I know firsthand how important it is to connect with customers on an emotional level.

Of course, balancing work and pregnancy can be challenging, but I’m lucky to have a supportive network of colleagues, team, family and friends to help me through it. I believe that having a baby doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your career, and I’m determined to continue growing my business while also being a devoted mother.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media has always been a source of joy and inspiration for me, especially Instagram. I started my personal page not for the sake of gaining clients, but because it was a hobby and a creative outlet.

My advice to anyone looking to build an audience on social media is to be authentic, creative, and engaged. Create content that you genuinely love, and don’t just focus on the number of followers or views. Engage with your audience and build meaningful connections.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of content and strategies to see what works best for you. And most importantly, have fun! Social media should be a place of joy and inspiration, so follow your passion and create content that brings you happiness.

One of the keys to my success was creating viral Reels. These Reels brought me around 8,000 new followers and millions of views, and all of them were created by chance

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

There are several strategies that can be effective in growing clientele in creative industries:

1. Develop a strong brand for your business and for yourself = personal brand: A strong brand identity can attract clients who appreciate and value good design. Make sure your own branding is professional, cohesive, and reflective of your style and aesthetic.

2. Build a strong online presence: . Create a website that showcases your work and skills, and optimize it for search engines. Use social media to showcase your work and engage with potential clients.

3. Offer value-added services: Offer services that complement your design work, such as branding strategy or marketing consulting.

4. Provide exceptional service: Deliver high-quality work and exceptional customer service to build strong relationships with clients. Word-of-mouth referrals are a powerful way to grow your clientele.

5. Offer design packages: Create design packages that bundle together various design services, such as brand identity, website design, and social media graphics. This can make it easier for clients to understand your offerings and increase the likelihood of them hiring you for multiple projects.

6. Partner with complementary businesses: Identify businesses that offer complementary services, such as marketing or web development, and partner with them to offer bundled services to clients. This can help you expand your reach and attract new clients who are looking for a full-service solution.

Overall, it’s important to remember that growing a clientele takes time and effort. Consistency, professionalism, and dedication to your craft can help you build a successful design business over time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.glekel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.glekel/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aglekel/