We recently connected with Nediva Sokoll-Ward + Mervat ElSherbiny and have shared our conversation below.

Nediva Sokoll-Ward + Mervat ElSherbiny, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear your thoughts about making remote work effective.

When we first began working together to launch Quell Creates, it was a priority that our business could thrive remotely, and overhead space was not a necessity. Like many professionals, the post-pandemic era brought about a positive shift with the introduction of remote work. Experiencing the flexibility to travel or work in our own spaces not only improved our mental health but also heightened our productivity. Our constant communication—whether FaceTiming, texting, or calling throughout the day—just becomes second nature, effortlessly blending our professional and personal worlds.

We’ve been able to embrace the digital landscape due to the nature of the work we do, and it works really well for us. Managing projects with clients who often have tight schedules is super easy, thanks to the efficiency of Zoom calls. Our project management tools play a pivotal role, allowing clients to effortlessly integrate with our project timeline and touch base whenever needed.

In addition to Quell Creates, both of us have primarily, remote full-time jobs. Remote-work life has afforded us the flexibility to make Quell Creates a reality. Honestly, it probably wouldn’t have been possible any other way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Quell Creates is a creative agency that works with emerging brands and soloprenuers to define, refine or refresh their distinctive identity. While we offer a diverse range of services, our true prowess lies in engaging social strategy and content creation, dynamic print and digital graphics, and unique merchandise conception.

We began in 2017 as Quell NYC, an online vintage shop that meticulously curated seasonal designer pieces. It was the perfect intersection of our passions: archival fashion, e-commerce, photography, graphic design, content creation, and event planning. As we hosted Pop Ups across New York City, we connected with many other women navigating the entrepreneurial landscape. Much like us, they were running businesses as side hustles and expressed their struggles in balancing various facets, from enhancing customer website experiences to fostering cohesive social vibes and crafting on-trend, engaging content.

Fast forward to early 2023, and we found ourselves reveling in the creative side of Quell NYC. Quell Creates emerged as the brainchild, a reflection of our dedication to create more personalized branding for small businesses.

Fashion brought us together, and staying ahead of the curve in new brands and budding trends became second nature. Our keen eye for social content, colors and moods set us apart. For us, it’s not just a job; it’s our essence – authentic, playful, yet elevated. While we’re thoughtful in our approach, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. It’s not just about creating— it’s about having fun, for us and the brands we team up with.

You can learn more about Quell Creates services here: https://www.quellcreates.com/
Follow us on social: https://www.instagram.com/quellcreates
Listen to our monthly playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/1293083571?si=33911e23aad440a1

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

Yes, definitely. We always say, “Quell Creates Everything”. Because we do. We really like to think of ourselves as a one-stop shop for emerging businesses. Our services extend from strategic business redefinition and consulting to content creation and community building, where we blend creativity, humor, music, and intellect.

Our background in fashion was a driving force to create promo merchandise that’s not just building brand awareness, but is relevant and fashionable. We produce our Quell merch in NYC and have put a lot of thought into creating pieces that people actually want to buy and wear. This extra income ultimately helps us to be able to support other businesses with a comprehensive package of services tailored to their needs.

This year, we’re also excited to expand into event hosting and pop-up planning, where we can offer more than just advice, but create meaningful, branded experiences. Our approach is about making an impact, supporting growth, and doing so with a keen eye for style and effectiveness.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

At the center of Quell Creates, we have always prioritized the power of women. Founded on female friendship, Quell is fueled by the incredible women who generously contribute their time, energy, and wisdom—whether as models, studio-space lenders, impromptu photographers, or trusted sounding boards for our ideas. We’re fortunate to be surrounded by such talented women, and our aim is to grow the Quell Creates team into a collective of creatives.

Expanding beyond our immediate network, we’ve actively sought collaborations with women in various fields. Like Tokyo-based DJ, Katimi AI, who curated our December Spotify playlist. As we prepare for a Valentine’s Day event next month, we’re excited to leverage our network, ensuring everything from table arrangements to catering comes from female-founded companies.

New York City is filled with talented women doing amazing things and we intend to continue highlighting their success in everything we do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.quellcreates.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quellcreates
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/1293083571?si=398694e2a11241cf&nd=1&dlsi=ba0b859b74b44ce8 https://www.pinterest.com/quellcreates/

Image Credits
Cameron Whaley Tiffany Wang Genesis Vallecillo