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

Rachel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the toughest things about entrepreneurship is that there is almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

One of the most unexpected problems I have faced in my business is dealing with an unhappy client. No one wants an unhappy client. I want my clients to leave feeling heard and excited. To achieve this, I always encourage them to be honest with me so I can ensure they’re getting exactly what they want.

I had created a few mood boards for my client to choose from. Once she selected one, we moved forward with that direction. I thought we were on the same page, but when I shared the brand guidelines, she was very unhappy and didn’t like it at all. It wasn’t necessarily the design itself, but rather the colors, fonts, and logo. I felt very defeated.

Since branding is a significant investment, I wanted to ensure she had everything she wanted. So, I went back to the drawing board and carefully reassessed her preferences. Although she had approved the previous mood board and fonts, I realized she might have envisioned a different direction that she struggled to articulate.

I made sure to seek her feedback and opinion at every step to ensure we stayed on track. After the second attempt, she loved the result and has used the same branding for over four years.

It can be very easy to feel defeated, but don’t give up. I also never set limits on the number of revisions I allow my clients. My goal is for them to feel excited, satisfied, and ready to use their branding. I want my clients to be honest and confident that their vision is being realized.

Rachel, 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?

My name is Rachel Raya, and I am a Brand and Web Designer specializing in the western industry. I help small businesses reach their ideal audience with timeless, evergreen brands. As someone who loves the outdoors and art, I’m drawn to earthy tones. I deeply appreciate all of my clients and enjoy collaborating with them. When I’m not designing, you can find me hiking with my dogs, tending to my garden, traveling, or hanging out with friends. I’m passionate about horses, homesteading, art, and exploring new places. If you appreciate a slow-living lifestyle and a return to our roots, I’m the designer for you.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I grew my social media audience slowly and authentically. My goal was to build genuine relationships with my followers and other business owners. I began by following people who inspired me and were supportive. I made sure to engage with those I was following and to be intentional in my interactions. Now, I truly feel that I have built many friendships through this approach. Posting consistently and showing my face helped foster these connections. I share behind-the-scenes content and aspects of my personal life to resonate with others. Showing up and being intentional are key.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I keep in touch with clients by following them on social media and staying active with their posts, whether it’s through commenting or sharing their pages to show my support.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wildwestdesignco.com
• Instagram: @wildwestdesignco
• Facebook: Wild West Design Co
• Linkedin: @racheluriberaya