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

Michelle, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

If you had told me two decades ago that I would transition careers and transform my graphic design hobby into a thriving business, I would have chuckled and dismissed it as wishful thinking. You see, back in high school, I set my sights on the medical field, aspiring to become a Forensic Pathologist. While I did achieve significant milestones, being the first in my family to graduate high school, college, and pursue an advanced degree as an M.H.S. Pathologists’ Assistant (not exactly a Forensic Pathologist, but that’s a tale for another time), I was living my dream. However, life had a different plan in store for me.

Following the birth of my second daughter, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Consequently, I had to step down from my position as a Pathologists’ Assistant because my employer refused to accommodate the flexibility I needed to prioritize my health. Even with the support of my incredible husband, resigning from my job proved to be the most difficult decision I ever made. At the time, we were a family of four. Losing my income significantly impacted our way of life and burdened my husband with additional responsibilities, which I desperately wanted to avoid. That’s when my entrepreneurial journey began.

Now, when we talk about stepping out of our comfort zones, becoming an entrepreneur was light-years away from mine. I knew there would be obstacles ahead, considering my lack of business experience and never having worked in sales. However, challenges have been a constant presence throughout my life, and each one has only fueled my determination to succeed. Taking the huge risk of becoming an entrepreneur meant I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

My entrepreneurial journey has consisted of several chapters. My first venture involved crafting tutus and tutu dresses. Inspired by my two daughters, I created numerous tutus for them for special occasions and dress up play. Encouraged by the kind words and compliments I received from others, I decided to open a business and sell my creations. While I found joy in making tutus and tutu dresses, it became increasingly challenging as my girls grew older and required more attention. Eventually, I had to close that chapter. I then dabbled in network marketing, succeeding but barely meeting my monthly requirements for seven years. However, I lacked passion for the products and felt uneasy about the sales aspect, leading me to let go of that endeavor. Somewhere along my years in network marketing, I also started a mommy blog and attempted to monetize it. Unfortunately, I did not succeed in monetizing the blog and stopped posting in 2020 when I welcomed my third daughter while at the same time the world shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

While the ups and downs of my journey were disheartening, it was through my experiences that I encountered a remarkable group of strong, fierce women, one of whom helped me realize my true entrepreneurial passion—Graphic Design. Being the go-to person for creating graphics since high school, I’ve always enjoyed using my creative talents to assist others. Having experienced the daunting, challenging, and time-consuming process of designing images for my previous ventures, I understand the struggles firsthand. Through my journey, I not only embraced them, but grew to love every aspect of image design and creation for businesses, even the most arduous parts. Coupled with my dedication to empowering fellow women to succeed, I launched Mami Works Design Studio, LLC (formerly Mami Works, LLC) in January 2021.

It was in taking the risk of becoming an entrepreneur, that I finally found my entrepreneurial passion. I am not afraid to say that the road has not been easy but it has definitely been worth it. Now, as a proud Mami of four incredible children, the flexibility to be present for them is priceless!

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.

I’m Michelle, the Founder, Chief Creative Officer, and unapologetic Mami behind Mami Works Design Studio, LLC. As a proud NuyoRican born and raised in NYC (Spanish Harlem), I have faced my fair share of challenges. But each challenge only fueled my fire to succeed and I went on to become the first in my family to graduate high school, college, and obtain an advanced degree (M.H.S. Pathologists’ Assistant). Needless to say, it has been one wild journey!

Fast forward to the present, I’m happily married to the hardest-working man I know, and the proud Mami of four remarkable children (3 girls and 1 boy). After my second child’s birth, an autoimmune condition led me to embrace the role of a stay-at-home Mami, propelling me to step way out of my comfort zone (like, light-years away) and become an entrepreneur. Oh, and did I mention that my youngest two were born amidst the whirlwind of the COVID-19 pandemic? Yep, no shortage of excitement!

As someone who has been the go-to person for creating graphics since high school, I’ve always enjoyed using my creative talents to help others. In January 2021, I finally realized that my true passion was graphic design and I launched Mami Works Design Studio, LLC. As someone who has been through the daunting, challenging, and time-consuming process of creating images for my previous business… I understand the struggle. But through my journey, I embraced and grew to love all aspects of image design and creation for businesses, even the challenging parts.

But let me tell you what truly sets my soul ablaze – empowering women entrepreneurs to thrive. Why? Because these incredible women have supported and uplifted me on my own journey. As a business owner, I’ve learned that image is everything. And as a woman and mom, I know firsthand the delicate balance between our business aspirations and personal responsibilities (yeah, it’s not easy). That’s precisely why I’m on a mission to embolden high-achieving, badass boss-women with top-tier graphic design services. Together, we breathe life into their brand vision, empowering them to scale their business, leave a lasting legacy, and conquer the world! Trust me, a picture is worth not just a thousand words, but potentially thousands of dollars in business. And I’m here to ensure those words count!

There are three ways to join forces with me. The first, and most popular way, is the Mami Works Service Package – a 3, 6, or 12 – month retainer that delivers comprehensive graphic design services and includes a wide array of offerings that will elevate your branding, supercharge your online presence, and captivate your audience. The second avenue is the Launch Designs Service Package, tailor-made for those planning to unveil an event, product, or service with a bang. Lastly, we offer an à la carte graphic design service menu, catering to business owners in need of specific marketing assets without committing to a complete package just yet.

Yet, at our very core, we cultivate a connection that transcends mere professionalism – we build a family. How? Well, my business revolves around my own loved ones, and our clients understand that the occasional interruption from one (or all four) of my spirited children is simply part of our unique work dynamic. Initially, I hesitated to showcase my family or have them around during calls, but soon I realized that authenticity and acceptance were key. And boy, did things change! Amidst this lively backdrop, I become an attentive listener, attuned to every nuance in the client’s voice, unlocking the very essence of their brand. This profound understanding ignites our creative process, enabling us to forge stand out marketing assets that make heads turn. In the end, our clients emerge with an unshakable confidence and a distinctive sense of self, secure in the knowledge that they’ll radiate brilliance in the face of competition.

Now, let me share what truly humbles me and reaffirms that I’m exactly where I need to be: the testimonials that pour in from our incredible clients. It’s pure magic to hear them say that their launch wouldn’t have succeeded without me, or that their engagement skyrocketed since joining forces, or even that I breathed life into their vision in ways they couldn’t have fathomed. Those stories light a fire within me, fueling my unyielding desire to continue empowering badass women like never before.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I am intimately acquainted with the trials and tribulations of adversity. It weaves itself into the very fabric of my narrative, shaping me into the person I am today.

The year 2022 proved no exception to this pattern.

In the wake of my son’s arrival in January 2022, my autoimmune disease, Ankylosing Spondylitis, reared its head with a vengeance. The pain was so excruciating that I found myself unable to actually physically walk at times. As a mother of four, juggling homeschooling for my older daughters and caring for a toddler and newborn, this presented an immense challenge. To compound matters, just two weeks into the new year, a sewer line mishap caused our finished basement, which doubled as my office, the children’s playroom, and our family room, to be flooded, resulting in the destruction of 95% of our things. It was only thanks to our home insurance that we managed to navigate through this turbulent time. What followed was a two-month period of water clean-up and renovation, all while contending with four kids under one roof and the relentless grip of my autoimmune disease.

During the celebration of my daughter’s second birthday in April 2022, I suddenly experienced a sharp pain in my abdomen. As a PA, I recognized the telltale signs of what was happening and pressed forward. Once the festivities concluded and everyone departed, I told my parents to stay and watch over the children while my husband rushed me to the emergency room. That very night, I underwent emergency surgery to remove my appendix. But the pain resulting from the procedure paled in comparison to the relentless back pain I was grappling with. Ironically, the aspect that troubled me most post-surgery was my throat. It turns out that during the surgery, they damaged my vocal cords, rendering me voiceless for 5 months and requiring speech therapy!

The remainder of the year proved to be just as eventful—pun intended. In May 2022, a mere four weeks after my appendectomy, my husband had to fly to Ecuador for two weeks to support his father, who had undergone major heart surgery. July 2022 brought the unwelcome arrival of COVID-19 within our household, affecting each family member to varying degrees. By the end of August 2022, I found myself facing the difficult decision of sending my older daughters back to public school, despite my deep love for homeschooling. With two infants at home, my concern for their vulnerability outweighed my personal preferences. Having already weathered the storm of COVID, coupled with the numerous challenges I was enduring, I recognized the importance of stability of learning and socialization for my older daughters.

The year concluded with a painful blow, as my husband was unexpectedly laid off from his job just before Thanksgiving.
Through it all, I held steadfast and resilient, managing to meet my clients’ expectations and keep my business afloat amidst the tumultuous waves that threatened to engulf me. Each setback and trial just proved that I possess an unwavering strength and resilience that cannot be extinguished.

Now you may wonder how did I do it. How did I manage to keep myself together during all of life’s challenges? My answer is simple. My family. They are not only my anchor and support, but also the driving force behind every action I take. They are my purpose, my motivation, and the main reason why I do what I do.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

When it comes to fueling the growth of my business and expanding my clientele, referrals have proven to be the most effective approach. I am extremely humbled that approximately 95% of my clients have come from referrals. Referrals have been effective for several reasons.

First and foremost, I know that referrals are built on trust. When a satisfied client recommends my services to their network, they are essentially vouching for my expertise and credibility. This cuts through the marketing noise of competitors and makes the prospects more likely to trust the recommendation of someone they know and respect. Ultimately, this makes it easier to convert them into loyal clients.

Referrals also bring me high-quality leads. When a past client refers my business to an individual, I know they are going to recommend individuals who have a genuine need or interest in my offerings. Ultimately, there is a higher likelihood that the referred individual fits into my ideal customer profile, resulting in more fruitful and satisfying partnerships.

Lastly, maximizing the potential of referrals is a must. To do this, I ensure that I cultivate strong relationships with my existing clients, provide exceptional service, go the extra mile, and consistently exceed expectations. By delivering remarkable experiences, I aim to create a natural inclination for clients to share their positive encounters with me with others. This encourages them to actively promote my business and amplifies the impact of referrals.

So, I encourage business owners to embrace the influence of word-of-mouth, and watch as their clientele expands organically, driven by the power of satisfied customers spreading the word about their exceptional experiences and offerings.     

Contact Info:

• Website: mamiworksdesignstudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamiworksdesignstudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MamiWorksDesignStudio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-barzallo/

Image Credits
Family Photo Image Credit goes to Kristina Staal Photography