We recently connected with Melissa Jacob and have shared our conversation below.
Melissa, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?
If we could introduce kids to different occupations out there — beyond the doctor, firefighter, astronaut that you grow up with — so many more young adults would find their “fit” and enjoy their life and what they do to the fullest. You can not underestimate the value in loving what you do.
You don’t know, what you don’t know… Neither of my parents work in an artistic field. Going into college, I had a grand list of TWO occupations in the art field that I knew I could earn some sort of consistent income: museum curator, or teaching an art class.
That was it.
During my second year at UGA, my work/study program – luckily – paired me with the head of the Graphic Design dept. Mr. Lanny Webb gave me an introduction to a plethora of artistic occupations I could pursue… AND GET PAID! This happenstance was one of the most impactful events of my life… it changed my trajectory.
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 background and context?
My name is Melissa Jacob, and I own Striking Brand — I am a photographer and videographer.
There. I said it.
This is a title I’ve had for a little over a year and a half, and I’m wondering if the “imposter syndrome” will fade.
My degree is actually in Graphic Design — I never took a photography class in my life. My first job out of college was working for a nation-wide amusement park company, designing everything from t-shirts, to fast food window clings, and park maps. When the Marine Corps stationed my husband out in the middle of the desert with nothing in sight, I began a portrait painting business for military families. And when his term was up, we moved back to Georgia and I was hired by a publishing company in Atlanta, as their lead editorial designer; think magazine layout & design.
About seven years after being hired, I had been promoted to Creative Director, the company had merged, and ownership changed (along with its priorities). In place of the family-focused, morally-driven leader of the company who hired me, now stood his antithesis. I stayed about 2 years after the merge.
Before I could hand over a 2-week notice, I knew I had to have something else lined up. After doing a business year-recap video for a close friend, she really pushed me to think about building my own business, just as she had.
This was another one of those moments in my life that changed everything.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The best source of new clients has been word of mouth. Never underestimate the power of networking!
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
My team is just starting to grow beyond myself, and I foresee growth happing at an exponential rate from here on. Though I have never been a business owner before, the experience of working with a less than ideal boss has shown me what to NEVER DO. I will always praise the team that stands behind me. If Striking Brand has grown to the point that others are helping to sustain and grow demand, I would not be able to operate without their hard work — Shane Hickey, Emma Culver, and Rikki Fernandez, thank you!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.strikingbrand.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strikingbrand/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strikingbrand
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissajacob84/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChm_JKtzAMBxyMsrS0u5fIg
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/striking-brand-oviedo-2
Image Credits
Melissa Jacob, Striking Brand