We recently connected with Danielle Becker and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Danielle, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
In reality, I intended to build a graphic design agency but a void I saw in the market, alongside continuous gut checks led me on the greater path to build what Lefty’s Right Mind is today.
I have always simultaneously help two jobs – days spent in the corporate world while freelancing at night and on weekends – my dream was always to run my own business. Guided by my background in graphic design, I took every freelance project that came my way. From logos, apparel and signage design, to a watercolor painting turned invitation, I never said no to anything. My skills even led me to hand painting restaurant chalkboard menus – that’s what things started to get interesting.
My mission was always to be expertly trained on the computer, a crucial skill in this technology driven world, but to prioritize my natural craftsmanship, which I believed was my differentiator. Everyone can learn digital, but not everyone can create by hand. I believe the unique, one of a kind, customization perspective opened up once I started posting videos of my start to finish chalkboard design processes on social media.
When you’re driven by creative curiosity, it’s extremely difficult to say no to an opportunity. For a very long time, literally up to 2019, I was a jack of all trades, master of none. My lack of ability to explain what I actually did for a living taught me how crucial focus is. Simply put – you cannot be everything to everyone.
A friend from high school randomly reached out one day asking if I could paint her wedding jackets for her bridal party – once I posted it on IG (to a small but mighty following), word spread and it took off. Then a friend at lunch one day gave me her Goyard bag off her back and asked me to paint it. People saw her piece and that took off. It was a no brainer for us to grow into the corporate space after seeing the success we were having with our private clients.
Lefty’s Right Mind came to be off the of the belief that everyone now and always, will be gifting. Whether to support their c-suite or hardworking colleagues, to celebrate a friend group or simply because you want to buy yourself something pretty, it will always exist. I value the dollar and not wasting marketing budget on well, crap. I have a zero tolerance for clutter! You put thoughtfulness, quality and the ability to listen, together, and hello, Lefty’s Right Mind.
It’s human instinct to want to feel special and be inspired. We are all looking for moments to slow down and connect on a more intimate level. Think about the quintessential canvas tote that’s branded and being handed out outside of a ballpark. Cool. I get it. But isn’t it worth diving in a little deeper to source a more unique style that’s customized for the person you’re handing it to? We aren’t reinventing the wheel, we’re just laser focused on going that extra mile. Here at Lefty’s Right Mind, we believe the difference between good and great, is all in the details.
Lefty’s Right Mind is bespoke quality. We will never compromise our aesthetic and the level of precision the team and I expect from ourselves. We want to create something you’ll want to tell your friends about, something you’ll look back at and cherish.
What’s so cool about this business is that we still heavily rely on our computer training but our craftsmanship is what we’ve become known for. The LRM team started with little ol’ me, and is now a team built of incredibly ambitious, dedicated, talented females dedicated to growing our influence as the go-to bespoke atelier for personalized moments.
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
I am Danielle Becker, Founder, CEO, COO (and all the other hats a small business owner wears!) of Lefty’s Right Mind, Bespoke Creative Studio.
Creativity has always come naturally to me. I grew up sewing my friends halloween costumes, making jewelry, painting nails, thriving in Art class – my only AP class in high school, and proud of it!. I was born with the “creative eye”. It’s funny – I can’t remember a restaurant name but I sure as hell can explain the typeface and color of the logo, the awning detailing and give a full description of the menu aesthetic!
It was a no-brainer I was going to art school but it was still important for me to have the quintessential college campus, rah- rah sports, experience. Syracuse had it all. I loved the campus. I loved my entire curriculum. I wish I could go back to college now. I’d care very little about a social life, focusing 100% into learning as much as I possibly could. I would paint, and sculpt, and design, and animate and weave, and write, creating from class to class – it was a total dream experience.
Lefty’s Right Mind is a mix of my love for craftsmanship, fashion and my entrepreneurial spirit. I call myself a “Creative Anomaly”; my personal love for premiere fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands, provides me with knowledge and comfortability to work alongside the highly respected company that we keep but at heart, I’m not afraid to get down and dirty. It’s very rare you’ll find me without paint under my finger nails!
I’m shaking my head as I type this but I truly cannot believe what Lefty’s Right Mind has become and will continue to grow into. I am so grateful to be driven by the will to never give up. I am proud of myself that I am not only making my own dreams come true, but I am creating opportunities for other artisans to live theirs as well. LRM values integrity, ambition and inclusivity. By surrounding ourselves with good, hard working people, it provides the trust and support needed to show up and maximize all of our efforts. Championing each other’s differences allows us to nurture our individuality and gratitude for getting to do what we love.
I am grateful to the people in my past that tried to knock me down and told me I wasn’t good enough because guess what, they showed me exactly who I do not want to be, while showing me the value of a healthy, supportive work environment – personally as well! Here at LRM, we are professionals that have a lot of freakin’ fun. I try to lead with the compassion I believe people deserve. As LRM grows, I vow to advocate for artists, to lift them up and teach the importance of their value. I ask you, what are the salesmen of the world selling, if they aren’t backed by great design? Based on my own experience, why is the creative department low on the totem pole? Why are we paid less? What are always fighting for our worth? I plan to change that narrative.
My parents always supported my creative journey. They never once pushed me in a direction I wasn’t comfortable with. They always championed my strengths and gave me the gift of exploration. I take this lesson with me as I grow this business, cherish my friendships and raise my two daughters. Everyone deserves to live the life they dream. I respect my parents so much that I even asked my mother, Bobby, to go into business with me! She runs our promotional product and gifting suite piece of our business – The dBb Group.
For us, art is the expression of the personal touch. Through our love and respect for craftsmanship, we are offer a hand-crafted experience, tailored to communicate our client’s brand voice on a more intimate level. By producing bold, fresh, innovative solutions, we bring magic to iconic brands and individuals alike, sharing design and beauty that energizes and uplifts others. We’ll make you look good, literally!
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I am a DIE HARD “How I Built This” podcast fan. I can’t get enough of it. Some of my favorite episodes feature Mark Cuban, serial entrepreneur, Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, Kathleen King, founder of Tate’s cookies and Jane Wurwand, founder of Dermalogica. The common thread they all share is that they were each led by their individualized, “love of the game”. I’m a firm believer that your gut will never steer you wrong. I wouldn’t be here today with it!
Kathleen King tells a story about how when she brought in partners to her first business, Kathleen’s Cookies. Long story short, Kathleen ends up with barely any piece of the business SHE built on her own and was left having to start from the very beginning. Guy Raz, the host of the podcast asks her, “Do you have a hard time trusting people now?” And she responds “It takes too much effort to not trust. Before I trusted with my eyes closed, but now, I trust with my eyes open.”
The value I take from that story is to never change who you are. Learn from experience but never stop your true light from shining.
I recently finished Jaime Schmidt’s book, founder of Schmidt’s deodorant, Supermaker. I found it beyond inspiring. Now I’m onto Traction, by Gino Wickman. I’m only a few chapters in but already enjoying!
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Lead with compassion! Show your appreciation by creating an environment that encourages your team, both collaboratively and individually, to shine. Empower them to ask questions, to push through adversity. But above all, never ever forget that they are human – Stop and ask them how they are!
Contact Info:
- Website: leftysrightmind.com
- Instagram: @leftysrightmind
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LRMCreativeStudio/?show_switched_toast=0&show_invite_to_follow=0&show_switched_tooltip=0&show_podcast_settings=0&show_community_transition=0&show_community_review_changes=0&show_community_rollback=0&show_follower_visibility_disclosure=0
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-stern-5840a835/
Image Credits
Brittany Sturrett Photography