We recently connected with DeOndria Stafford and have shared our conversation below.

DeOndria, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be successful is to be honest, dedicated and determined. Being honest to yourself first is key. Be sure to notate all customers requests so that you can provide accurate timeframes. Honest timeframes that you know are able to reach. As for dedication, you must always put your Business and Customers, ahead of your personal life. As we all know, word of mouth spreads faster than marketing, meaning your customers and their opinions matter. You must satisfy them and listen to them at all cost. You must be determined to provide the best customer service experience for each customer, current and new. Customers love superb customer service.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is DeOndria Stafford. I was born in Macon, GA and raised in Swainsboro, GA. I’ve always been the presenter, writer and graphic designer throughout my lifetime. I decided to become creative with my hands and started selling my work in 2019, when I opened my first business, Everyday Marketing. At Everyday Marketing, we create business and personal needs. We have Retractable banners, Grave covers, Business cards, Logos, product labels and so much more. I am currently the only employee, however, I do plan to hire and train staff in the future. Within the 4 years that we’ve been in business, we have not received a bad review. We definitely put our customers first, and their feedback is very important to us.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn the one thing I knew best, procrastination. In order to run a successful business, and keep your customers come back, is to have their orders on time. I battled with procrastination the first year of business. I was pregnant with my first child, and I was a bit lazy during this time. I had to reassure my clients that I would have their items within our 3-5 business day turn around time. Now, I know you’re probably wondering how did I remove procrastination from my lifestyle? Well, whenever i completed an order late, the customer never came and picked up the order. Meaning my time, money and material was wasted. Not once was I upset with the customer, I was upset with myself, for not doing the order within the time frame that was provided. It only took one time, for me to feel like anything was wasted, and I immediately stopped procrastination.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Sadly my business was not funded with a loan, but it was funded straight from my pockets. I began making slow, small purchases, out of my pay checks. Once I received my tax money I cashed out on my business. I bought all big items that were remaining for business, and a few extra “what if” items. I also started building my business credit. I went and got my business checking account, DUNS number, and started raising my paydex score. Now, after about a year or so with my business credit improving, I will then apply for a business loan of $50,000.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.everydaymarketing.net
• Facebook: facebook.com/everydaymarketing

Image Credits
DeOndria Stafford