We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Darneshia Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Darneshia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
DesignedByD’s mission is to help businesses bring their vision to reality by providing exceptional brand identity and social media management. We understand that the process of establishing a brand and managing social media can be overwhelming and stressful, which is why we aim to alleviate that burden for our clients. Our vision is to create unique and visually stunning designs that accurately represent our clients’ brand identity and provide effective social media strategies that engage and grow their audience.
So here’s my story – FROM SIDE HUSTLE TO MAIN GIG: HOW I BECAME A MOMPRENEUR? In February 2021 I found out I was pregnant with my real boss, my baby girl Danielle. The pandemic exposed that certain aspects of Corporate America aren’t as stable and adaptable. In full transparency, entrepreneurship was never on my mind.
I just knew that this generation realized college is not the only option. Therefore, I knew I had to build generational wealth to give my daughter options when she turned 18.
As I started mapping out business and learning more, my focus to create generational wealth for my daughter quickly shifted to assisting my nieces and nephews build generational wealth and not feel pressured to go the traditional route of obtaining a 2-4 year
degree, finding a job, then retiring at 67+.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a girl from a small town, Waxahachie, Texas, who has BIG dreams. I’m an alumni of the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Like any others I’m just a girl wearing many hats, but my favorite are:
- Motherhood – My daughter is a precious gift that I never knew I needed, and she continually inspires me to strive for greatness.
2. Serving my community with the GREATER Women of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
3. Auntie-Bestie – Having the opportunity to be a role model for my nieces and nephews is incredibly special to me. I believe that by showing them the possibilities and encouraging them to dream bigger, I can help them break barriers and achieve their own extraordinary goals.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
One of the most effective strategies for growing my clientele is to identify and understand my target audience. By having a clear understanding of who my ideal client is and the challenges they face, I can create tailored messaging and content that speaks directly to their pain points and positions oneself as the solution to their problems.
In my experience, investing time and effort into researching and understanding my dream client has enabled me to create targeted and effective marketing campaigns that have resonated with my audience and ultimately led to increased client acquisition.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
When it comes to acquiring new clients, the best source for me has been through word-of-mouth referrals. The power of personal recommendations from satisfied clients or individuals who have seen my work has been invaluable in building my client base.
In addition to this, my content marketing strategy also plays a crucial role in attracting new clients. By creating content that addresses the pain points of my target audience and provides effective solutions, I am able to position myself as a trusted and knowledgeable expert in my field. Furthermore, my dedication to exceptional customer service ensures that my clients receive top-quality work and are completely satisfied with the final outcome.
As a business owner, I hold myself to a high standard and remind myself daily of my commitment to providing quality work and bringing my clients’ visions to life. I strive to exceed expectations and ensure complete client satisfaction with every project. 
Contact Info:
- Website: designedbydsmith.com
- Instagram: @designedbydsmith
- Facebook: Designedbydsmith