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

Aneet, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.

Earning that first dollar through my business was nothing short of surreal. Coming from a corporate background, I had no real experience in running a business. I’d poured every ounce of creativity, late-night energy, and sheer willpower into getting my venture off the ground, but as an introvert, networking, and pitching felt like stepping into uncharted territory. Still, I convinced myself to push past my comfort zone and started interacting with other business owners in my community.

It was at a local networking event that I found my first client—or rather, she found me. We didn’t even discuss business at the event, but a few days later, I received a message from her. She was looking for a web designer to create an online store for her custom engraving and silk flower business. She explained that while she had been selling on Etsy, she wanted a more personalized storefront that truly reflected her brand and values.

From the moment we spoke, we clicked. She shared her vision, her challenges, and how much she needed someone to bring her ideas to life. I listened intently, offering suggestions, answering questions, and reassuring her that I understood her needs and was excited to help.

By the end of the call, she said, “I think you’re the perfect fit for this project. Let’s do it!”

What followed was a whirlwind of designing, revising, and fine-tuning. I poured my heart into that project, knowing it would be the foundation on which I could build my reputation. When the website finally launched, her reaction was pure joy. Seeing her happiness was more rewarding than anything I had felt in my 10 years in the corporate world. Her reaction gave me the validation I needed to believe that my business had the potential to grow and impact others.

Looking back, that first client was more than just a business transaction; she quickly became my biggest cheerleader and friend. Watching her business grow and thrive—knowing that the website I created continues to bring her traffic and that she’s now taken her business full-time—has been incredibly fulfilling.
It has inspired me to keep honing my skills and work towards solving business problems so that every business I work with grows to new heights!

Aneet, 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 own a web design, branding, and marketing business with my sister, called Brand Unpuzzled. My background is rooted in the corporate world, where I spent close to a decade honing skills in software development, project management, and research. Though I loved my job, I always felt a pull toward something more creative and personally fulfilling. Coding and development came easily to me, but I found true joy in combining those skills with design to create unique and meaningful websites. My desire to make real connections and the realization that I could help people with my skills led me to finally take the leap and start my own business.

At Brand Unpuzzled, I specialize in providing website design and branding services, primarily for female entrepreneurs. My focus is on creating custom websites that not only look beautiful but also resonate deeply with a brand’s values and mission. I believe that for any business, their website is the first impression they make on potential clients, and this impression must be both authentic and impactful.

What sets me apart in this field is my ability to blend my corporate experience with my creative passion. I approach every project with a strategic mindset, ensuring that the design not only aligns with my client’s vision but also serves their business goals. A major part of my process is listening to all my clients’ problems and coming up with strategic solutions for their branding and website. Whether it’s increasing traffic, enhancing user experience, or creating a cohesive brand identity, I’m committed to solving the unique challenges my clients face.

One of the aspects I’m most proud of in my business is the relationships I’ve built with my clients. Many of them come to me feeling overwhelmed by the process of creating a website or rebranding their business. I take pride in not only delivering a final product that exceeds their expectations but also in making the process as smooth and collaborative as possible. My clients often tell me that they appreciate my patience and my ability to understand their needs and translate them into a website and branding that truly reflects their values.

What I want potential clients to know is that my work is deeply personal to me. I’m not just here to provide a service; I’m here to be a partner in their journey, helping them to express their vision and achieve their goals. Client satisfaction is at the core of my values and I’m most proud when I see my clients succeed—when a website I’ve designed helps them grow their business, or when a rebrand brings new energy and direction to their business.

At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to quality, authenticity, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed. If you’re looking for a partner who will take the time to understand your unique needs and create something truly special, I’d love to work with you.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has undoubtedly been networking and building genuine connections.

Even though I find networking a bit daunting, I have realized that meaningful, authentic relationships are the foundation of any successful business. Rather than just attending events to exchange business cards, I like to focus on truly getting to know the people I talk to—listening to their stories, understanding their challenges, and finding ways to offer value, whether it is through advice, resources, or simply a supportive conversation. Sometimes this means talking to only one or two people at a two-hour event but I find it deeply fulfilling. With time, this approach has helped me build meaningful relationships with potential clients and also with other professionals who’ve referred my services to their own networks.

Prioritizing relationships over transactions is also at the core of how I work with my work with clients. I recognize that every business has its own unique needs, and I invest significant time in listening to my clients, understanding their goals, and crafting strategic solutions tailored to their brand. I also ensure there are easy channels for feedback and review, fostering an open and collaborative process. I believe that every business has a story worth telling, and it’s my job to uncover the most compelling and effective way to share it. By offering a high-touch, personalized experience, I’ve been able to build a community of clients who trust me, value the work I do, and feel confident in recommending my services to others.

It’s these genuine connections that have helped me grow my clientele and provided my life and business with a true purpose!

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One resource that has had a major impact on my management and entrepreneurial thinking is *Building a StoryBrand* by Donald Miller. This book completely changed how I approach branding and communication, both for my clients and my own business. The concept of positioning your customer as the hero of the story, rather than focusing solely on your business, really struck a chord with me. It was something I noticed was missing in many of the businesses I worked with, and it’s now become the guiding principle for every project I take on. Whether I’m working on a client’s branding or my own, I now make sure to adopt a more client-centered perspective. What I love about this book is that it not only highlights the power of storytelling in brand messaging but also offers practical tools and insights for crafting effective messages. It’s reinforced the importance of understanding your audience, simplifying your message, and creating a narrative that genuinely speaks to their needs and aspirations. This book has been a game-changer in how I manage and grow my business, and I highly recommend it to any business looking to expand its reach and connect with its target customers.

Then there’s *You Are a Badass* by Jen Sincero, which is basically the pep talk I didn’t know I needed. Normally, I steer clear of the self-help aisle, but if there’s one self-help book I’d recommend to entrepreneurs, it’s this one. Sincero’s no-nonsense, funny, and empowering style kept me hooked from start to finish. Reading this book feels like having a cheerleader by your side, reminding you to trust your gut, take bold steps, and own your journey as an entrepreneur. I find myself returning to this book often, especially when the introverted side of me wants to retreat and self-doubt starts to creep in (which happens more often than I’d like to admit!). It’s been a constant source of inspiration and motivation for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brandunpuzzled.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandunpuzzled/