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

Rachel, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love for you to start by sharing your thoughts about the pros and cons of family businesses

My business was born through my experiences working with my mom’s PR agency. Both my parents have had their own businesses my entire life, so in my household, entrepreneurship was the norm. My mom is a publicist for authors and thought leaders, and my dad a web designer and digital marketing expert. I feel very fortunate that they were both so generous with their skillsets, teaching me about their industries from a young age.

My mom gave me the opportunity to start working for her agency when I was fifteen, and I was eager to make the most of that head-start in my career. By eighteen, I opened my own business, offering social media management, web design, and graphic design services for clients I was connecting with through my mom’s work.

While not every business is meant to be a family business, and that path isn’t for everyone, it was such an invaluable blessing in my life. My parents always encouraged me to pursue any life path I wanted, but when I showed an interest and openness in learning from what they had to offer, they warmly reciprocated. I am a firm believer of being generous with our skillsets and knowledge, whether within our family system, our community, or the world at large.

In my experience, working with family is not always an easy thing, but it has always been worth it. With mutual respect, clear communication, and trust, I think it can really work. But, all parties involved have to be game for that kind of arrangement – as with any functional relationship. Working with family has given me the opportunity to push myself in developing better practices with communication, boundaries, and respect, so for that reason, among many others, I’m very grateful it’s been my path.

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?

I offer multi-dimensional creative support, including web design, copywriting, brand strategy, SEO, and editing. With over twelve years in this industry, I spent the first five years of my career learning a handful of skills to shape my perspective and toolkit as a creator. My unique background in PR and branding allowed me to hone my eye as a designer and my voice as a writer and better connect with the people on the other side of a screen.

As a neurodivergent creative, I approach functionality and design challenges in an out-of-the-box way to bring my clients’ unique visions to life. I love working with unconventional brands seeking a blend of eccentricity and elegance and a dash of magic. Unearthing the extraordinary within the ordinary and strategically packaging that “something special” in a way that connects and converts is my passion.

Working closely with my clients and bringing my heartfelt care for them and their business has allowed me to build meaningful and long-lasting relationships with my clients. An unexpected gift of my business for which I am very grateful.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My devotion to my clients. The care, time, attention, and dedication I pour into every client relationship has nurtured the trust and loyalty my client’s feel. This has lead to my near-only referral business.

While I implement certain marketing efforts (and my goal for this year is to step that up!), my business has run almost exclusively on referrals from my past clients and network connections.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The freedom to break rules, push boundaries, and defy “norms”, yet doing so strategically. Self-expression is a deeply rewarding part of being an artist, and while I fully embrace that in my creative pursuits outside of my business, it’s been interesting to learn where boundaries with that are needed.

Being a professional creative in service to other people’s self-expression means curbing my own taste and stepping into their shoes to bring their magic to life. While there will always be an element of “me” woven into my creations for clients, I do my best to leverage my artistry on their behalf.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rachelleedom.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/rachelleedom
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/rachelleedom

Image Credits
Personal photography by Adriane Nicole. Portfolio work screenshots permitted for use in client agreements.