We were lucky to catch up with Samantha Shakes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Samantha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I feel so lucky to help people turn their dreams and ideas into reality. I am eternally grateful for all of my clients just for giving me the opportunity to do what I truly feel is my purpose. I’ve been fortunate enough to work on many meaningful projects from assisting nonprofit organizations to helping my parents launch their dream business.

Most recently, the project I feel is the most meaningful to me is my collaboration with ZenShells, LLC. I’ve had the pleasure of working with ZenShells on numerous projects over the last two years, but our newest project is the official launch of The Empowered Empress. The owner and founder of ZenShells, Alexis Jennings, wanted to create a brand/movement that empowers womxn to align with the best versions of themselves.

The Empowered Empress™ movement was created in 2021 by ZenShells, LLC, with the ultimate mission of healing the divine feminine and empowering empresses across our community. Divine Feminine, can have many definitions, however at ZenShells, LLC. We feel that the divine feminine reflects any womxn that embraces and celebrates all of her power(s).This movement is comprised of monthly empowerment workshops, courses, monthly social/networking meetups, and an annual restorative retreat.

This movement strives to bridge the access gap of integrative wellness resources to the community, reducing any shame and stigma behind s*x, sexual health & education, and empower/heal womxn who have experienced divorce and or separation.

For the official launch of The Empowered Empress™, we filmed such an empowering video that amplifies the power, strength, grace and beauty of a womxn. We also provided a photoshoot to assist with promotional materials.

I love this project because I know how many people this movement will be helping. It’s amazing to watch how someone can take certain life experiences and turn them into positive reinforcement for others.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

STUDIO SVNTN, formerly known as Made by Shakes, is a full-service creative agency offering a wide range of branding, visual creative design and marketing services curated to help businesses succeed.

​We partner with clients and brands from a wide spectrum of industries, ranging from real estate, law, health and wellness, to hospitality. We help our clients develop ideas and execute strategies that will take their business to a higher level.

Our services include: brand design and strategy, photography, videography, digital and traditional marketing, social media management and content creation, podcast production, business consulting and much more!

When I first launched Made by Shakes, I was a complete solopreneur. I had the vision of building a brand that represented me – after all, that is all I knew. Fast forward two years, I can now look back and say that I have been fortunate to work on many exciting projects since launching in 2020, and managed to build a status as a reputable creative agency.

However, after careful consideration, I decided to rename, re-brand, and design a new company that would reflect our values: passionate storytelling, problem solving, creative innovation and synergy. This rebrand comes with many new services, investments, and partnerships for our clients to benefit from.

What sets us apart, especially now as we move forward as S17, is that storytelling is at the core of our brand. Our team works together to create a compelling story for our clients’ audiences. We help them refine their message, so their target market understands who they are, what they do and why they should invest in their brands.

I am driven by the belief that no idea, dream, or goal is “too big” to achieve. We celebrate our usage of imaginative and artistic thinking, and fusing it with strategy. We are proud of our approach because we always seek to understand from both the consumer and the creative point of view. Perspective is everything in this industry, and through research and strategy, we are able to create brands and visual products that set them apart from their competitors.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

When it comes to growing my clientele, I have been fortunate enough to gain most of my clients by word of mouth. I like to expand my efforts by attending events, handing out marketing materials, and using digital marketing strategy, but nothing has compared to the connections I’ve made from referrals.

I believe the key to success is building a solid reputation, expanding your connections through networking, and knowing that your business will grow organically.

I have acquired a diverse set of clients within the past 3 years which has allowed me to expand my services into new markets. I truly believe in networking, which is why I love meeting new people and learning about their projects.

As an entrepreneur, I value professionalism and integrity in all of my relationships. Communication is key and I’m confident in my ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and respectfully with all parties involved.

At the end of the day, if someone is trusting me and my team to help them bring something they care deeply about to life, I don’t ever take that trust lightly. I am proud of the wonderful business and community connections my team and I have formed, and even more honored for the business referrals we have received as a result.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I’ve always felt that I will never be satisfied in life if I am not a part of something much bigger than just myself, so with that, I am determined to provide a platform for other creatives. My goal isn’t only to give other creatives a platform to be heard and seen, but to also truly build a team of people with that same passion and belief. I also feel so fortunate to develop new opportunities WITH my friends and family that are also creatives/entrepreneurs.

It’s a very humbling experience getting to work with people who truly support you and your mission. It’s even more of an honor to be able to return support and love to those same people, in return.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.studiosvntn.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/studiosvntn
• Facebook: Facebook.com/studiosvntn
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-svntn/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiJ7lm4DWbuYSW92bMb9vJw
• Other: TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@studiosvntn

Image Credits
Chase J. Elliott Samantha Shakes Michael E. Thomas