We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Julie Farnham a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Julie, thanks for joining us today. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?
Asking friends and family to support your business can be a delicate balance. On one hand, their support can be invaluable in spreading the word and providing initial momentum. On the other hand, it’s important to respect their boundaries and not overstep.
In my opinion, what’s appropriate is reaching out with genuine enthusiasm about your venture, sharing updates, and inviting them to engage if they’re interested. This could mean asking them to follow your social media accounts, sharing your posts, or referring potential clients if they know someone in need of your services.
However, it’s crucial to avoid being pushy or making them feel obligated to support you financially or in ways that make them uncomfortable. Respect their decision if they choose not to engage, as everyone has their own priorities and interests.
One way to draw the line is to set clear boundaries from the beginning. Let your friends and family know that while you appreciate their support, you understand if they’re not interested or able to engage with your business. By communicating openly and respectfully, you can maintain healthy relationships while still leveraging their support in a positive way.
An interesting anecdote that influenced my view on this topic is when my best friend, Veronica, and I started our own small business. Instead of bombarding our social circles with constant promotional messages, We took a more subtle approach by sharing our journey, behind-the-scenes insights, and occasional product highlights. This approach not only kept our friends and family engaged but also attracts genuine interest from others who appreciate our authenticity.
Ultimately, it’s about finding a balance between promoting your business and respecting the boundaries of your personal relationships. When done thoughtfully and respectfully, leveraging the support of friends and family can be a valuable asset in growing your business.
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?
Let me introduce you to Cactus Creative Solutions and our journey in the tech and marketing industry.
Veronica and I found ourselves facing the harsh reality of the job market after being laid off from our respective roles in the tech and marketing fields. Faced with limited opportunities, we decided to channel our skills and passion into building something of our own. That’s how Cactus Creative Solutions was born.
With Veronica’s expertise in development and my background in marketing and graphic design, we saw an opportunity to not only carve out a path for ourselves but also to assist fellow small businesses in building their brands and online presence.
At Cactus Creative Solutions, we offer a range of services tailored to suit the unique needs of each client. Whether it’s custom branding, logo design, print materials, or custom websites, we’re dedicated to crafting solutions that reflect the essence of each business we work with.
In addition to our design and development services, we also specialize in social media marketing, helping businesses connect with their audience in meaningful ways and stand out in a crowded digital landscape.
What sets us apart is our personal approach and commitment to our clients’ success. We understand the challenges that small businesses face because we’ve been there ourselves. That’s why our motto, “Let our small business help yours,” isn’t just a tagline – it’s a philosophy that guides everything we do.
We take pride in our ability to translate our clients’ visions into reality, helping them achieve their goals and elevate their brands. Whether it’s a startup looking to make a splash or an established business in need of a refresh, we’re here to lend our expertise and support every step of the way.
What we want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about us is that we’re more than just a service provider – we’re partners in their success. With Cactus Creative Solutions, you’re not just getting a website or a logo; you’re getting a dedicated team that’s invested in helping your business thrive. So if you’re ready to take your brand to the next level, we’re here to make it happen. Let’s grow together!
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Veronica and I first crossed paths in the service industry, where we instantly clicked. It was one of those rare instances where you meet someone and know they’re going to be a significant part of your life. Fast forward over 14 years, and Veronica isn’t just my business partner – she’s my best friend, my confidante, and practically family. She’s even an aunt to my two children, and to me, she’s the sister I never had.
The decision to embark on this entrepreneurial journey together was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. But through every challenge and triumph, having Veronica by my side has made all the difference. We complement each other’s strengths and support each other’s weaknesses, creating a dynamic partnership that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Building our business with Veronica has been an incredible ride – scary at times, yes, but also immensely rewarding and filled with laughter and camaraderie. Together, we’ve navigated the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, learning and growing every step of the way.
Veronica isn’t just my business partner; she’s my rock, my sounding board, and my biggest cheerleader. I’m grateful every day to have her by my side on this journey, and I can’t imagine doing it with anyone else.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Yes, our side hustle evolved into our full-time business, Cactus Creative Solutions, and the journey from its inception to where we are today has been nothing short of remarkable.
It all started when Veronica and I found ourselves unexpectedly laid off from our jobs in the tech and marketing industries. Faced with uncertainty, we decided to leverage our combined skills and passions to create something of our own. We began by taking on freelance projects in web development, graphic design, and marketing on the side, initially as a way to make ends meet while we searched for new opportunities.
As we immersed ourselves in these side projects, we quickly realized the potential to turn our hustle into something more substantial. With determination and a shared vision, we officially launched Cactus Creative Solutions, offering a comprehensive suite of services to help small businesses build their brands and online presence.
Key milestones along the way included securing our first few clients, refining our service offerings based on client feedback, and investing in our own professional development to stay ahead of industry trends. We also made strategic decisions to expand our team, allowing us to take on larger projects and serve a broader range of clients.
One of the most significant milestones was when we landed a contract to design and develop custom websites (10 to be exact) for a well-known local business. Not only did this project validate our capabilities and expertise, but it also opened doors to new opportunities and referrals, propelling us further along our entrepreneurial journey.
Today, Cactus Creative Solutions is still trying to grow, serving a diverse clientele and making a positive impact in the small business community. While the path to success hasn’t always been easy, our dedication, resilience, and passion for what we do have fueled our growth and positioned us as trusted partners for businesses looking to elevate their brands online.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cactuscreativesolutions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cactuscreativesolutions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cactuscreativesolutions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/98836014/admin/feed/posts/