Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jennifer Strumbel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jennifer, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I wanted something unique and identifiable that stood out from the crowd. When I first started my design business, I went with something that related to where I was living at the time (River Street Designs). But once we moved and no longer lived, it was time to branch out and be more unique.

I took inspiration from a variety of sources:

I was born and raised in Florida which is well known for oranges.
My husband and I are into fast cars and owned a 2004 Ford Mustang Cobra and the color was Competition Orange.
My husband’s dad owned a Torino Cobra (also orange) and could often be heard over the CB radio being identified as there goes that flyin orange cobra.

Combining my roots and my overall passion for cars, Flying Orange was born and has become the number one question I get asked when meeting new clients. It’s a great conversation starter to talk about the history behind my name and it breaks the overall ice.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started out studying Software Engineering at Florida Atlantic University. Then in 1996, after moving from Florida to Minnesota, I attended Bethel University and the University of Phoenix online where over time my focus shifted from Software Engineering to Graphic and Web Design.

River Street Designs, a small, independent home-based design business, opened for business in 2003, catering to small businesses and work at home mom’s (WAHM’s). My simple and affordable designs provided an opportunity for small businesses to present themselves on the web with a professional “big company” appearance at a much lower cost. My commitment and success of being a WAHM myself was acknowledged in November 2004 by Parenting Magazine.

In 2007, after selling a successful online gourmet business, and moving away from “River Street”, I decided on a new business name with a look and feel that better reflected my creative design focus. Flying Orange was born with an emphasis on creating custom and unique designs that catered to all businesses, organizations and individuals. I continue to advance my skills in Graphic and Web Design studying new techniques through self-education and monitoring industry trends. At the same time I works to educate others about the graphic and web design industry through social media and various blogs.

Being a rabid basketball fan and “sports mom” I have been highly involved in local youth organizations, as well as the local Middle School and High School. I provides my design skills, volunteer time and facility management skills free of charge.

I currently provide the following design services:

Website Design (specializing in WordPress)
eCommerce Design (specializing in WooCommerce and Shift4Shop)
Graphic Design
Print Design
Software Design

My current design portfolio consists of over 400 highly satisfied clients for website, logo and print design projects from all over the world.

Every design project is unique. Flying Orange takes the time to learn what it is you are really trying to achieve in having a website created or re-designed.

Our custom design will focus on the key marketing areas of your business that are necessary to engage your visitors in an impactful manner and entice them to take action. We will create a website that is user friendly, interactive, optimized and effective in persuading potential customers to become your regular clients.

The finished result is a collaboration between…

YOU, the expert on your business, and… US, the experts on web design.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

95% of my business is from referrals from a past or current client. The biggest compliment I receive is when I am contacted by a potential client and they tell me a client of mine said I was THE PERSON to talk to about a website or logo project.

No amount of thank you’s when a project is completed gives me the same joy as being told that I was referred by so-and-so. That tells me I am on truly on the right path on this design journey and my clients really appreciate my personal approach.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I can’t do it all.

I’m a perfectionist and control freak. Horrible combination at times as a creative person. It took nearly 18 years (celebrating year 20 of being my own boss) for me to realize that it was ok to say “NO” or “Not at this time but here’s when I can”

If I burnout, work too many hours and overextend my time then I am doing a disservice to not only my clients, but myself. The well dries up and nothing flows or works as it should. Current and potential new clients WILL understand if I say I can’t do something right that instant, legitimate emergencies aside. The better I spread out my time, the better work I can do.

If you say “No” or “Not right now” and that person decides not to work with you, then it wasn’t meant to be in the first place. You have to set boundaries.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flyingorangewebdesign.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/flyingorangedesign
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flyingorange/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flying-orange
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlyingOrange
• Other: Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferstrumbel/