We recently connected with Shelby Beier and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Shelby thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?
I have always been creative in some fashion my entire life. While going through school, I had a strong passion for art and willingness to learn which led me to graphic design. After nine years of working in the industry and my freelance side hustle growing, I decided to go all in on my design business. I had no idea what being a business owner meant. Days turned into weeks of me sitting on my computer, watching webinars, joining courses, reading, absorbing, taking notes and so much more, to make sure I started this right! My nights were long, but I was learning so much and getting truly excited for this next adventure. Bookkeeping, contracts, legal paperwork, taxes, accounting were all things I honestly didn’t even take into consideration that I needed to know to start my design business. After all the “nitty-gritty” things were set up and in place, I started creating mock ups for my portfolio. As a designer, I needed to make sure my website and social media all presented at least some of my work in an attractive way. Once I was happy with the way things were looking, I launched and it’s taken off from there.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a graphic designer, specializing in brand and web design. I went to college for graphic design and for the next nine years worked as a designer in various forms of print shops, for a women’s clothing brand, as a communications director then finally started out on my own and created Beier Branding. I work with clients of all industries find their unique brand super power. I guide them through a strategy session where we uncover their brand mission, vision, values and goals. We go on to nail down their ideal client and target audience. From there, I do my own market research to make sure I position them as best as possible in their industry. After digging deep with their brand I provide creative direction for their brand identity, which includes logo concepts, color schemes, font variations and icons. Once we have the brand design finalized, I prepare any other marketing collateral such as business cards, brochures, social media graphics, etc. I also specialize in website design, taking all of their branding into consideration and craft a unique site to attract repeat customers. If your brand is struggling to stand out against the crowd or you’re in an oversaturated market, then a custom brand is definitely for you! I take great pride in all of the work I do and have the utmost respect for each client and their business. I look at my process as collaborative, so the client always has a say in how their brand is executed.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
I started doing freelance design alongside my full-time design career pretty early on. In the first five or so years it was barely a side hustle, but more of a creative asset for close peers. In 2016 I worked at a print shop specializing in high quality, large format printing. The owner became a vital person in my life and a true model for what it took to start and run a successful business, and how to put myself out there. She introduced me to several business owners and entrepreneurs and inspired me to really go for what I deserve. After switching employment, we kept in touch and soon I was designing for her again, only as a contractor. This worked wonders because although I was physically moving away, I could still design for her. The business grew and grew, which meant I was given more and more work. The continued growth was the push for me to turn my actual side hustle into a full on business!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Getting customers definitely is not easy but everyone has to start somewhere. All of my clients come from referrals or business owners that I have met in person. Social media is a great tool to use when researching local businesses or industries that are in your niche and you want to serve. Having a strong portfolio is also vital.
Contact Info:
- Website: beierbranding.com
- Instagram: @beierbranding
- Facebook: @beierbranding
Image Credits
Robyn Dawn