We were lucky to catch up with Carol Porter recently and have shared our conversation below.
Carol, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea of my business was developed in the summer of 2017 when I decided to use my crafting skills to reach people. At this time, it was my sophomore year of undergrad and I had faced a lot of challenging obstacles. It was then, I decided to create a clothing brand with all meaningful graphic designs. The designs I create are used to motivate people around the world to overcome their past obstacles no matter the circumstances. I spent weeks trying to develop my first design to go on a t-shirt. After several failed attempts, I created an image with several people, a triangle, and a short phrase. The people were all the same size but were presented as some crawling up being short and eventually stretching high being tall. The phrase was “Prey on elevating your life in every different aspect”. This design was my very first and represents the meaning I have behind my brand. I knew this project would be difficult but I knew I it was a worthwhile endeavor because people always doubted great talent and determination.
Carol, 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 started my business in June of 2017 after learning individuals in my community were no longer inspired to take the next step towards success. Each design crafted has a meaningful message and eye grabbing image. We specialize in branded clothing, custom clothing, custom resin pieces, signs, business cards, and flyers. Each service provided is of its highest quality and very affordable. What sets ElevateK apart from others is the quality of products and services, timeliness in orders, and designs. Each design consist of a hidden message which allows individuals to think beyond the norm. The company’s vision is: People change, Motives change, Goals change.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing clientele is advertising on social media and word-of-mouth. The promotions on social media allow you to gain new customers because the ad is shown in different cities. Word of mouth has been great because customers always brag on how we have met or exceeded their needs and the great quality of the products.
Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?
I recently stopped selling on my own website. I am now selling items through social media platforms such as instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. I also sell items locally at pop up shops in Atlanta and it’s surrounding areas. The pros of having your own website is to make your brand have an official home and to keep track of orders more efficiently. The cons of having your own website are the high annual fees and low site traffic. The pros of using different social media platforms are wider varieties of an audience and no annual fees. The cons of using social media platforms are some customers would be steered away without an official website.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @_elevatek