We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle Merz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

In 2012, I made a life-changing decision to leave my corporate job behind in pursuit of a more balanced lifestyle. At the time, I was a single mom with no family support, juggling the responsibilities of raising my newborn while working long hours. The struggle to provide my child with the love and attention he deserved pushed me to take a leap of faith – I quit my job and embarked on a journey with no clear plan.

For the next couple of years, I roamed the country, seeking adventure and new experiences. To sustain this nomadic lifestyle, I turned to designing websites, which surprisingly ignited my creative passion. The process allowed my artistic juices to flow while satisfying my fascination with technology. Not only did it give me more time with my son, but it also enabled me to explore the beauty of our nation.

Before I knew it, my web design venture had evolved into a thriving graphic design studio, prompting me to return to my roots in Ohio and establish a brick-and-mortar presence. In those early days, my business relied solely on word-of-mouth referrals, as websites were still relatively novel and highly sought-after.

However, as the industry grew and competition intensified, I realized that referrals alone wouldn’t sustain the growth of my studio. Eventually, we made the strategic decision to sell the studio to a larger firm that was keen on acquiring our client base. Unsure of my next move, I joined forces with two partners to launch a marketing studio. My initial role was to handle the design and web aspect of the business, but soon, I found myself immersed in learning the intricacies of marketing, which I found exhilarating.

As our marketing studio expanded, we faced internal challenges arising from differing ideologies and strategies. These disagreements led to a decision to part ways, leading me to establish a marketing company dedicated to serving small businesses and solopreneurs seeking to scale. Unlike previous ventures, I aimed to maintain a personal touch, affordability, and most importantly, to make a meaningful difference in the lives of these small businesses.

My goal was to grow the business without becoming burdened by excessive overhead or losing the essence of why I started it in the first place. Creating affordable offers that also allowed for scalability became the biggest challenge. I wanted to build a company that made a difference without sacrificing my own well-being.

To expand my reach, I took my marketing efforts online and began speaking at events to share valuable insights and attractive offers. While I was successful in acquiring clients, the process was time-consuming, leaving little room for the essential aspects of running the business and enjoying my personal life.

Realizing the need for efficiency, I started developing systems and automations for various aspects of my marketing and sales processes. By automating 90% of these tasks, I gained the freedom and flexibility I craved while also achieving background sales that kept the business thriving.

Reflecting on my journey, I am proud of the progress I’ve made. In my first year as an entrepreneur, I earned $40,000. With the graphic design studio, my income grew to $120,000 annually. Despite the setback at the marketing agency, I still managed to earn $70,000. Finally, running my business on my terms, embracing proven marketing strategies, and leveraging automation, my income soared to approximately $220,000 per year.

If I could offer advice to my past self, I would stress the importance of understanding marketing psychology from the outset. While tactics and channels may change, the fundamental principles and frameworks, coupled with psychology, will always be effective. I would also emphasize staying true to my values and building the business I wanted, rather than blindly pursuing someone else’s vision of success. Success can be achieved on our terms, and by creating a business that aligns with our values, we can find both fulfillment and prosperity.

Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I began my foray into the creative industry back in 2012 when I made the bold decision to leave my corporate job, seeking a more balanced lifestyle as a single mom in a city with no family support. Determined to provide my newborn son with a better life, I took a leap of faith and started delving into creative work, initially designing websites for income. Little did I know that this would spark my passion for both creativity and technology.

As time went on, I found myself on a transformative path, traveling across the country, embracing a nomadic lifestyle while continuing to expand my web design services. This eventually led me to establish a graphic design studio, which I successfully sold to a larger firm, marking the beginning of a new chapter.

Teaming up with two like-minded individuals, I co-founded a marketing studio, taking on the role of the design and web aspect of the business. However, my curiosity and eagerness to explore the world of marketing led me to dive headfirst into learning marketing strategies and tactics. While our journey as partners took a different turn, I discovered my true passion lay in helping small businesses grow, empowering them with big business strategies.

I am immensely proud of building my business on my own terms, refusing to compromise on my values. This commitment has allowed me to cater to small businesses looking to expand and succeed without losing sight of who I am as a person.

At the core of my brand, I believe in creating marketing strategies that can scale businesses consistently and predictably. By integrating proven strategies, automations, and systems, I offer a solution that allows entrepreneurs to achieve growth while retaining their freedom and flexibility. I firmly believe that business owners should not be chained to their desks, but instead, they should have the space to explore life outside their work, whether it’s traveling, spending time with loved ones, or simply enjoying personal pursuits.

I aim to be the partner that small business owners and solopreneurs need, providing them with the resources, guidance, and personalized attention they deserve. I not only offer marketing services but also prioritize educating my clients along the way, empowering them to make informed decisions about their business and marketing strategies.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want them to know that I am not just another marketing agency. I am an ally in their growth journey, a partner who deeply cares about their success. My approach is centered around honesty, integrity, and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of those I work with.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Absolutely! Looking back on my creative journey, there are certainly resources I wish I had known about sooner, and mentorship is at the very top of that list. Mentorship can be an invaluable asset in any creative endeavor. I would have sought out SCORE mentors, engaged with the local community, and joined the chamber of commerce to tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience much sooner than I did.

Having mentors that have been through similar things has given me invaluable insights into business growth and how to be a leader. Having someone to turn to for advice and encouragement can make a significant difference in overcoming challenges and accelerating personal and professional growth. Plus, they often have connections that they are happy to introduce you to. Having a mentor put me miles ahead on my journey.

I also believe that building relationships outside of business circles is often underestimated. Meeting people from various backgrounds and industries can spark unexpected collaborations and ideas. It broadens one’s network, leading to potential partnerships, referrals, and a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives that can enrich one’s creative work. I used to focus only on networking with people that could be potential clients, but I was closing a door to so many opportunities- not only business-wise, but I met so many great, supportive people when I opened my circle.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

“Trade time for money.”

The lesson I had to learn was the importance of valuing my time and expertise as a creative entrepreneur. In the backstory of my journey, I encountered a situation where my business partners wanted to grow the business by trading time for money. This approach meant that we would charge clients based on the hours worked, which could hinder the scalability of our business in the long run.

While this strategy might have worked in the short term, I soon realized that it had its limitations. If we constantly traded time for money, it would be challenging to scale the business beyond a certain point. Additionally, as the team grew, we would continually have to adjust our prices to accommodate the increasing number of hours worked by our expanding team. This process not only devalued my skillset but also undermined the effort and dedication I had put into honing my craft and becoming the best in my field.

Recognizing the importance of scalability and charging my worth, I decided to take a different approach. Instead of pricing solely based on time spent, I began to value my services based on the expertise and efficiency I brought to the table. I had developed my marketing skills to the point where tasks that might take others several hours could be completed by me in a fraction of the time due to my experience and expertise. It became evident that charging based on time alone did not reflect the true value I provided to clients.

The lesson I had to learn was that I should never be afraid to charge my worth and value the expertise I bring to the table. By moving away from the “time for money” mindset and embracing a pricing strategy that reflected the value of my skills and efficiency, I was able to grow my business in a way that aligned with my goals and principles. It’s essential for all creative entrepreneurs to recognize the true value of their expertise and confidently charge for the impact they make in their respective industries.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.silienceandsonder.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silience_and_sonder/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-merz-151b5a157/

Image Credits
Kara Sims