We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jordan Ashley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jordan below.

Jordan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

The story behind Little Black Logo, well let me start by saying, it was an OOPS! I had downloaded a few different design apps and programs to create some fun content for social media. As people began to see my posts and the engagement I was getting, the questions of “where did those graphics come from?” started rolling in. I would quickly respond and say “I made them! Want me to send it to you to use?!” and I would send them for free!

Well… my two weeks of free trials ran out and I was charged over $100 for YEAR of design programs! Whoops!

At the time, I was working incredibly hard to pay off debt so that my hubby and I could purchase our first home and we did NOT have an extra $100 just laying around to spend. I knew that I had to do SOMETHING to make sure that I could cover that $100. So I began charging $5 for a graphic and started asking friends with small businesses to let me design a logo for them to get my $100 back.

My first logo, for my friend Jenn who owns Aunt Jenn Photography, was a hit. Everyone loved it. Then the second and third logo designs hit facebook and instagram and the messages from small business owners started rolling in asking for my help with their logo. As the messages started coming in, I began charging $25 per logo and I quickly made my $100 back.

Honestly, I thought that would be the end of my “graphic design career”, but the small business community had other plans for me! Here I am, just over 3 years later, running Little Black Logo full time!

I tell this story often because it plays a HUGE role into my pricing and my design process.
When I (accidently) started this business, I didn’t even have the $100 to afford a design program. I know that a lot of people start small businesses as a way to add additional income to their family, put food on the table, pay their bills, buy new clothes for their kids, and I never want my clients to have to choose between having a strong brand and logo and supporting their family.

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

Little Black Logo creates custom logos, graphics, marketing materials and websites for small business owners with the small business and family budget in mind.

All businesses deserve to have branding that they are proud of and a visual piece of their business story and that is always my goal for my clients, regardless of their budget. Since my business was started at a time where I was struggling financially, it has been and will always be a priority for my services to be affordable. Behind every small business is a family and that family budget is just as important as the business budget.

All of my clients get to work with me personally on their designs. I spend the time to get to know their business, take time to research their industry and get to know the amazing story behind their business. It makes the process much more fun and more personable!

And because I am able to make the experience more personable and I really get to know my clients, one of the things that I am most proud of, as a business owner, is having a whole wall in my office dedicated to business cards. I call it my Networking Wall. I often get asked “hey jord, do you know someone who makes tshirts?” or “I need a cake for my kiddos birthday, do you know anyone?” or even “I need someone to take care of my business books. Know any bookkeepers you trust?” and I am able to connect small business owners because of my Networking Wall!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The best advice I can give about building a solid customer base who trust you and refer you to others is to KNOW your brand. Know what is important to you, to your business and to your customers.

Creating a mission or branding statement is important because it lets potential customers know exactly who you are, what you do and how you can help them.

Once you have that figured out, as long as you stay true to your mission and your brand, you will build your reputation just by being YOU, sharing what is important to YOU and sticking to it.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One thing that I have struggled with as a small business owner is comments like “wow, you are so lucky. You spent $100 and now you have a full time business.” and I’m 1000% sure that other small business owners have heard this as well.

If you are a small business owner and are feeling defeated by the “how is your little business going?” or “are you actually making any money?” or, my personal favorite, “so you can just work whenever you feel like it? Must be nice.” let me remind you…

Owning a business is the most stressful responsibility you will ever have. But it will also be the most rewarding, most exciting, most fulfilling adventure you will ever take. Be resilient, be consistent and be confident. YOU GOT THIS!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.littleblacklogo.com
• Instagram: @littleblacklogo
• Facebook: facebook.com/littleblacklogo

Image Credits
Aunt Jenn Photography