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

Alright, Shante thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

Thinking of unique brand names can be an a tough process. We all want out brand names to stand out. I came up with the name of my business after months of brainstorming. I focused on what I wanted my company to represent. Then, I identified what services we would provide and how we would make an impact in our industry.

The word ” Coordinate” kept popping up but the spelling needed to change to tell a story. We shortened it to read the Cordnet which implies that we are the plug and the connection you need to elevate your business. So not only do we coordinate but we are also your gateway to a network of resources, information and creative solutions to grow your business.

Shante, 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?

Hello! My name is Shante Anderson and I am a Jersey Girl born in Paterson, New Jersey. I am the Lead Creative Consultant and Owner of The Cordnet Group LLC based in the state of Georgia. I started my creative agency in 2020 during the peak of Covid-19. This was the year of the pivot and entrepreneurship seemed like the perfect new journey to embark on. At the time I was not employed and was on a quest to create an opportunity for myself. I also needed to find a way to gain some additional income. The Cordnet Group was birthed after months of brainstorming and working on a few special projects with friends and family members who were also starting new businesses at this time.

When the world was technically shut down I began to develop my business. I had very little capital so I needed to think outside of the box. I started with creating a custom face mask. Masks were very popular at that time so that was the first product I sold. I later added t-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags to my offerings. As a fashion graduate from Howard University, I tapped back into my sewing roots putting my skills to work. For months I would post on Facebook sharing my new products, hoping to keep a consistent flow of customers. I was able to earn extra income from my products, but I knew I needed to think bigger. I was presented with an opportunity a few weeks after this revelation and it lit a fire under me. I am so grateful for the doors that have opened for me. Black women specifically have given me the space to thrive and contribute to my personal growth as a business owner, a creative, and a fellow black woman.

As a new agency owner, I have learned that it is important to focus on fostering relationships with your clients. This is what I’ve been able to do with one of our agency’s longest clients Sistahs in Business Expo which is now a million-dollar brand. In 2021, I started as a contracted Virtual Assistant in the company and was quickly promoted to Creative Director of the brand spearheading a bulk of the creative marketing for in-person experiences. This included conceptualizing the stage design for all expos, visual merchandising for our pop-up shops, and retail shop, and handling our social media marketing. I am extremely proud of the work we’ve been able to do with this organization and the exposure it’s given to our agency.

Developing a Creative Agency has been a dream. As our company grows our goal is to connect with more emerging brands and help amplify their brand stories. Our agency currently offers services ranging from brand development, experiential marketing, social media marketing, creative direction, and virtual assistance. We primarily work with small businesses and startups in the categories of health & wellness, fashion, education, retail, and travel. We desire to become the solution for business owners looking to elevate their creative marketing through copywriting, photography, cinematography, product ideation, and events. We understand what energizes these industries and we desire to create the right experiences for them.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Actually, yes. My side hustle is now my main business. While working on side projects I would consistently get calls and texts from people I knew seeking my advice on how they should communicate their brands to potential customers. In many cases, I gave them a blueprint to implement. I was giving play-by-play on how to connect with their audience, how to sell, and how to market. All for free. The advice I was giving was actually considered “consulting” which I later realized. In my heart, I knew that I could create a business around the services I was already providing. I just needed to add a price tag. I’m sure a few entrepreneurs can relate!

Now we offer those exact services in our agency from creative direction to full social strategy.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

90 % of our business is fueled by referrals from past and current clients. We have done a great job of creating genuine relationships and operating with integrity. Our reputation is everything. My advice is, to be honest about what you can do, and create an environment where your clients trust you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thecordnetgroup.com
• Instagram: @JunneMarrie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shante-m-anderson-254a7219/