We were lucky to catch up with Britney Duke recently and have shared our conversation below.

Britney , appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Yes, many times. The journey of entrepreneurship has been both challenging and immensely rewarding. The allure of having a regular job does occasionally surface, particularly when I am feeling high amounts of stress and uncertainty. Let’s just say, owning a business isn’t exactly glamorous all of the time.

I sometimes miss the stability and defined roles that come with having a “normal” job. The constant switching between multiple roles and the blurred lines between personal and professional life are things I constantly struggle with, but at the same time, that’s why I love entrepreneurship as well.

I’ve found that entrepreneurship, for me at least, has taught me the importance of setting boundaries to help ease the mental burden, among other things. For example, I try my best to not work on Saturdays. Having at least one day a week where I can unplug from the computer and just be has been vital for my mental health. Sundays are planning days for me and times that I work on any side projects. Having set days like this throughout the week helps give me structure and routine.

Incorporating small things like this helps relieve some of the stress I can feel on my journey of entrepreneurship!

Britney , 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?

My name is Britney Duke, and I’m the co-founder and Executive Director of Solkri Design, a Full-Stack Digital Marketing Agency based in Fort Worth, Texas, as well as the Founder of Fort Worth Business Gals. My journey into the world of digital marketing began in 2020 when I left my 9 to 5 job to pursue freelancing in brand and website design. This laid the foundation for what would soon become Solkri Design, a collaborative effort started in 2021 with my partner and husband, Michael Duke.

Initially, I focused on brand and website design, but as we recognized our clients’ evolving needs, Michael began offering copywriting services. This expansion was a natural progression, aligning perfectly with our skills and client demands. Today, Solkri Design has grown into a full-service agency catering to small and medium-sized businesses, primarily in the health and wellness sector. Our mission is to provide comprehensive marketing solutions that are both effective and affordable.

Our hands-on approach and deep understanding of our clients’ businesses and goals set us apart. We pride ourselves on being a service provider and a partner in our client’s growth. Our local focus in the Dallas-Fort Worth area allows us to offer personalized, on-site support, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of the local market. This localized approach enables us to create marketing strategies that are targeted and resonate with the community.

Our agency is a one-stop shop for all things marketing, eliminating the need for businesses to hire multiple specialists. Our services include brand identity creation, website development, SEO, social media management, content creation, graphic design, and PPC advertising. We aim to free our clients from the complexities of marketing so they can concentrate on their core business operations.

We believe in building relationships with our clients, making them feel seen and understood. It’s not just about providing a service; it’s about growing together. Our clients aren’t just hiring a marketing agency; they’re partnering with a team that is genuinely invested in their success. We approach every project with care, dedication, and a commitment to delivering results that exceed expectations.

I am most proud of how we’ve been able to adapt and grow, not just as a business, but in our ability to meet and exceed the evolving needs of our clients consistently. Looking to the future, we are excited to continue expanding our reach helping more businesses flourish through strategic and creative marketing solutions. We want potential clients to know that at Solkri Design, your vision and success are at the heart of everything we do.

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

Our most effective strategy for expanding our client base at Solkri has been a combination of networking and fostering meaningful relationships within our local community. While we certainly benefit from good SEO practices that bring in leads, we’ve found that the warmest and most high-converting leads are often the result of referrals or relationships we’ve nurtured over time.

I firmly believe in the power of communication and advocacy for our own business. The mantra ‘You don’t have a business unless you talk about your business’ resonates deeply. We don’t shy away from promoting our services; instead, we see it as an essential component of our growth. Selling our business is not just about transactions; it’s about sharing our passion, expertise, and commitment to helping other businesses thrive.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

From the beginning, we have been a self-funded entity. This path, while slower than seeking external funding, has been fundamental in shaping the direction of Solkri.

As we began acquiring clients and generating revenue, we continued to invest in the company. For us, recurring revenue is king, so our goal throughout our journey has always been to increase our recurring revenue so that we can continue to expand. Like anything, the journey is not always a straight path. We have run into many roadblocks along the way, but being self-funded and operating from a cash-first mentality has allowed us to survive the slow times.

With this, it feels as if we are just getting the hang of owning a business, and we are excited for all that is to come!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.solkridesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solkri_design/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solkridesign
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/solkridesign/

Image Credits
AJ Long Digital