We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julie Almeda. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julie below.
Julie, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
What I’ve learned since starting my business in 2017 is that success is not dependent on being the BEST in your field.
You don’t have to be the world’s greatest graphic designer, web designer, photographer, etc. to have a steady stream of business.
I’m not discounting the importance of providing an excellent product or service, but lasting success is dependent on creating ongoing relationships with your clients. It’s about listening to them, being responsive to them (and in the rare instance you mess up – its about making it right!)
Since opening, 100% of my business has come from word-of-mouth. I believe this because I try to treat my clients like family, and I’m very invested in their long-term success.
Julie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
In 2017, I left corporate marketing to pursue my passion for helping small businesses grow their brands from the ground up.
I specialize in branding and content creation and have a special place in my heart for working with growth-oriented female-owned companies.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications from the University of Florida and worked in agricultural marketing for several years following graduation. Looking to broaden my horizons, I went on to accept various positions in graphic design, social media, and sales in an array of different industries. I have 18+ years in graphic design and marketing.
Over the last several years, Jules Creative has grown from a one-woman design shop to a home-grown branding, design, and consulting agency. We strive to provide responsive service, exceptional work, and fair pricing.
In 2021, Jules Creative had the privilege to join a handful of other freelancers in Tampa for a 4-week small-group intensive training led by the experienced startup operators of Embarc Collective. We became fluent in “startup speak” to better understand startups’ pain points, limitations, urgency, and processes as they scale. Besides tech startups, we’ve partnered with a wide variety of clients over the years – from doctors to dairies. We can assist with various marketing functions, including design, copywriting, social media management, and more.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
At 32 years old, I was in a failing marriage (with a newborn baby) and a career that was increasingly unfulfilling. For several months (while still working during the day) I worked on freelance projects in the evenings to build up a clientele. Once I had enough clients to keep the lights on, I quit my job and started Jules Creative.
Being divorced with a new baby, a young son, and a new business was terrifying. But it’s amazing how you can make something scary work when you have to.
Have you ever had to pivot?
During Covid, I was worried (like most small business owners) that my business would suffer. Surprisingly, I had my best year on record. Here’s what happened…
Professionals were getting laid off or quitting their jobs and pursuing side hustles to supplement their incomes. Many of them were in a hurry to get their new businesses up and running and had only a few thousand dollars in the bank.
I put together affordable branding packages that could be finalized in a few weeks – including a logo, style guide, business card design, letterhead and social media assets.
In the midst of a pandemic – a scary time for us all – it was so rewarding to see people take risks, and succeed!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://julescreativedesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julescreativellc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulesCreativeLLC
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliealmeda/
Image Credits
Eva McDonald