Today we’d like to introduce you to Nickisha Matthews.
Hi Nickisha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I accidentally fell into the Digital Media industry over 15 years ago. It started when I had an online store and was an Avon Team Leader. I started going to the back of my website and coding products to set me apart. I also started designing my business cards, flyers, etc. At the time, I was pursuing a bachelor’s in business. Noticing how much I liked coding and graphic design, I changed my major to Digital Media and pursued an internship. During that time, my boss asked what my plans with my degree were. I responded by getting a job in Digital Media. He wondered, “Why not work for yourself?” I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Digital Media Production and am Certified in Graphic Design and Digital Media. To top it off, I graduated Magna Cum Laude. My dad’s response was, “Great job. Now, what are you going to do with it?” My response was to open my own Digital Media Business.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been easy; it takes consistency and turning failures into lessons. Two of my main challenges have been pricing and boundaries. My business is B2B (Business 2 Business). I mainly deal with startups, and I understand how hard it’s to get started, have a small budget, and have a website and social media. My love for seeing new businesses was causing me to cut my prices, which were already low. I had to learn I am in business. I had to learn my value and what my time costs. The hardest thing was setting boundaries. I would work long hours and allow my customers to text and call when they wanted to. I thought that I would lose clients if I weren’t always available. I learned you must have balance to sustain a business. I set boundaries, and my clients appreciated it. Boundaries create some organization as well, which businesses need.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Creative Business Branding is a full creative digital marketing agency specializing in crafting and cultivating likable and trustable brands through unique visual and digital communications. We are known for being a one-stop shop that provides a hassle-free experience. You don’t have to buy a domain name, find hosting, find a website designer, and then find a graphic designer for your logo. You can come to us for it all! What sets us apart and what we are most proud of in our brand are the same. Creative Business Branding teams with business owners to help bring their dreams to fruition; using your business’s core values for competitive and product distinction is not something we just pulled out of the air. To make the process as easy as possible, we have created an online store on our website where you can shop our business packages or individual services for those that know what they need and want. Most importantly, we know that there is no one size fits all branding for business, so we also offer custom packages and payment plans. Our goal is the same as yours- Make you a Powerful, long-lasting brand.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I believe having a mentor should be on the top of every business owner’s list. You can’t do it alone and waste time reinventing the wheel. Being a business owner has its challenges, and knowing you are not alone or the only one who has had the experiences you are going through is a big help. What helped me locate the mentor I wanted was defining my cultural statement. Knowing what kind of customer experience I wanted my employees and myself to provide made it easier to determine who I needed to mentor me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.creativebusinessbranding.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativebusinessbranding/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativebusinessbranding
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Creativelybrand
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfdg-lSP98J4LbYqqd6XRgw
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/creative-business-branding-jacksonville
- Other: https://creativebusinessbranding.org/www.pinterest.com/creativebusinessbrand
Image Credits
Mike Jackson headshot credit
