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

Rachel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

The backbone of this country was built by the hands of small business owners and I think it’s imperative that small businesses have the same opportunity of brand exposure and digital presence as large corporate organizations, despite their budget. I started Sleepy Mango by first focusing on helping small businesses grow their brand through digital and traditional marketing. I then realized there was a disconnect between outdated websites, old school logos, or even business owners finding the time to manage all the platforms that they could possibly be on. I decided to become a one-stop-shop for small businesses and learned UX design and graphic design to redefine a brand’s identity and implement proper messaging across all platforms. Something that sets Sleepy Mango apart from others is that regardless of budget, we will make it happen. I provide affordable options for business owners with the intention of letting them fly free after 8-12 months of working with them. Rather than gatekeeping information, I educate my clients along the way in hopes that they will be able to find a clearer understanding of the importance and simplicities of managing your business identity online.

Rachel, 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?

Sleepy Mango is a woman-owned business that provides marketing, content creation, digital advertising, brand identity and design. I’ve spent the greater part of 15 years trying to understand technology, and before you can blink – it changes! Like technology, we must adjust our habits and acclimate to new trends. It’s the only way small businesses can survive out here! I focus on small businesses, helping them not only build or rebuild their brand, but also developing strategies to sustain the brand in this digital world. My foundation began with marketing and eventually progressed to UX design and graphic design.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

My entire business model was created to support my clients, let them fly free but always make sure to stay in touch and check in over the months/years. Because of this, I’ve gained 90% of my clients directly from word of mouth. I’ve been very lucky and truly grateful to receive the positive feedback and constant growth within my small network that has now blossomed.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn “give out the energy you wish to receive”. That’s a lie. I started my business leading with emotion and quickly learned I need to develop a thick skin to navigate through less than understanding business owners. Sometimes, despite my positive and forward-thinking attitude, it’s hard to digest with business owners who are stuck in their out-dated methods. And although I can appreciate wanting to stay where its comfortable, nothing progresses in a stale state. At times during my consultations, I’ll have to take the L and politely decline my services. And alternatively, sometimes my methods can be intimidating to a business owner when they realize the learning curve it takes to stay level with competitors.

Contact Info:

• Website: sleepiestmango.com
• Instagram: trippymixtape
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-ibrahim/

Image Credits
Headshot by Miguel Cisneros