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

Victoria, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Carlton Creative Co. was born from my own experience as a freelancer in the communications industry. Like many people, I always had this picture of what work looked like post graduation: a 9-5 job with two weeks of vacation every year. This was the norm and the overarching expectation of society and I quickly realized that I wasn’t going to fit into that mold so easily. I didn’t want to become a part of the “rat race.” I wanted to build something truly unique and customized to my own needs while providing the best work product possible.

When I was recommended to my first freelance client, I was nervous. I had previously been told in other job opportunities that I could work part-time, only to end up working 50+ hours a week. I was wary of being burned again, so when the managing partner of the company said I could either work part-time or full-time, I initially turned them down, thinking it would be more than I signed up for, again. I wasn’t ready to jump into another job that wasn’t going to provide me the freedom and flexibility I craved.

However, after a follow up conversation with the partner, I explained my hesitation. Honesty is always the best policy to me, and thankfully, they actually understood where I was coming from. They encouraged me to set my own hours and not feel like it was out of my control. That prospect conversation with the partner turned into my first freelance client.

As I continued to work with more clients, I realized that freelancing provided a healthier work-life balance and more time for myself. I also saw the potential for freelancing to provide consistent work and build long-term relationships. As I continued to grow, I knew I wasn’t the only person who felt this way. I knew there had to be other like minded experts in the communications industry that were looking for the same thing. My clients appreciated my transparent approach, and they encouraged me to launch my own business. With their support, Carlton Creative Co. was born.

Launching Carlton Creative Co. involved a lot of hard work, research, and attention to legal and financial considerations. But I was driven by a desire to create a supportive community for freelancers in the communications industry.

Looking back, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and the relationships we’ve built. We continue to grow and evolve, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am the founder of Carlton Creative Co., a marketing agency that helps small businesses and nonprofits tell their stories authentically. Our company was born from my own experience as a freelancer in the communications industry, and we have since grown to offer a range of services, such as social media management, content creation, branding, web design, and more. We work closely with our clients to understand their goals, challenges, and audiences, and create customized solutions that fit their needs and budget.

We solve various problems for our clients, such as increasing their online presence, engaging their target market, generating leads and sales, and building trust and loyalty. We use innovative strategies and tools to create impactful campaigns that deliver measurable results.

What sets us apart from others is our remote team of go-getters who are passionate about marketing and communications. We work flexibly and collaboratively to provide exceptional client care and quality work. We are always learning new skills and trends to stay ahead of the curve.

We take pride in the relationships we build with our clients and the work we produce. Our goal is to be your partner in telling your story genuinely.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

In my experience, recommendations have been the most effective strategy for growing our clientele. We actually have landed the majority of our business on referrals and recommendations from existing clients or other vendors we work with on accounts. These recommendations are particularly effective because they provide a warm introduction, making the prospect more willing to learn about our services and open to our proposal process. We also have a very high closing rate with prospects that come with a recommendation.

The value of recommendations lies in the trust they build. When someone recommends our services, they are essentially putting their own reputation on the line. They are only likely to recommend us to people who they trust and who they believe would truly benefit from our services. This trust is a two-way street and is invaluable in securing new clients.

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale is essential for any business or organization to succeed. To achieve this at Carlton Creative Co., it has been vital for me to set clear expectations for my team members, both in terms of individual goals and team objectives. This always comes down to clear communication. If I can’t clearly communicate myself, my team will never be successful in execution.

Regular feedback and communication can help to ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. Celebrating successes, whether it’s through bonuses, promotions, or simple words of affirmation, has also helped to boost morale and keep our team members motivated.

In addition, fostering a positive work culture that values diversity, inclusivity, and work-life balance can help to create an environment where team members feel supported and empowered. Encouraging open communication has helped promote collaboration and ensure everyone is confident in sharing their thoughts and ideas.

Ultimately, managing a team and maintaining high morale requires ongoing effort and attention. These simple things have created a positive work environment where team members feel valued, supported, and motivated to do their best work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carltoncreative.co/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriavcarlton/

Image Credits
Rylie Fuline Photography