Add Some Zest To Your Brand
Are you ready to add some zest to your brand? Let me introduce you to Jasmine Decelle Branding & Design. With a love for all things lemon, Jasmine infuses a unique touch of citrus into her brand. At Jasmine Decelle Branding & Design, they believe in finding the right recipe for your brand, just like how a perfect glass of lemonade requires the right balance of sweet and tart. They serve fresh strategies that help bring your business to the people that matter the most: your target audience.
Jasmine Decelle Branding & Design specializes in working with small businesses, understanding the unique challenges and needs they face. Whether it's creating a logo, designing a website, or developing a social media marketing strategy, Jasmine and her team bring their passion for storytelling and creativity to every project, no matter how big or small. They believe that every brand deserves to have a strong and memorable identity, and they work closely with their clients to ensure that their vision and values are reflected in every aspect of their branding.
In honor of Small Business Week, we want to highlight Jasmine's commitment to storytelling tools, brand strategies, and graphic design that add a refreshing twist to your brand. Get ready to add some zest to your business with Jasmine Decelle Branding & Design.
In my recent interview with Jasmine Decelle, we talked about a range of topics related to her branding and design business. Jasmine shared with me why she decided to start her own business and how she helps small businesses succeed through strategic branding and design. We also discussed the importance of staying on top of design trends and how Jasmine ensures her clients' branding stays fresh and relevant. Lastly, Jasmine shared some of her successful projects and how she approaches each project uniquely to achieve her client's goals. Check out the Q&A below!
Q: What motivated you to start your own graphic design business, and what inspired you to take the leap into entrepreneurship?
A: Covid, covid, covid. I've always worked for someone else and lived their dreams when they didn't align with mine. There are things in my past jobs -- both in a small business marketing agency and in a marketing department -- that I wish I did differently, but they lead me to this path.
A lot of stress in my early designer life was trying to mold myself to fit my boss's needs. That's not wrong, and it definitely is common, but... it wasn't me. I felt at the time, Lakeland didn't respect designers or see the value in marketing and design. Wow, has THAT changed in 5 years? You betcha.
My first design job taught me to market with heart, and my last job taught me to seek more than I was given. That helped me find the unique courage to push through and consider turning side-business freelance into something else...
My last job furloughed me the day after I bought a new car because of Covid (timing, amiright?), and I didn't get "called back" until almost June. I had to pay bills and needed to keep my family safe. So... freelance turned into a business, and when the time came to return to the office, I slid in with a 2-week notice and focused solely on building a brand built on my desire to be of service to small businesses.
Q: How do you differentiate yourself from other graphic designers in the industry, and what unique qualities or skills do you bring to the table?
A: I don't think I'm too different! We're all passionate, we all speak geek, and we all want to be paid for our services. Lakeland has really blossomed with amazing designers and continues to lead the Central, FL, area with ideas.
If I had to answer honestly, I think I try to empower my clients to keep going without having to 'hire' me. I want to find tools and provide them with training to keep things up themselves. We embrace Canva, training on social media platforms, and giving them options with a budget to allow them to make choices best for them. Does it suck not getting a 2K design job and only getting a $500 one? Sure, but clients know I think of them first and am mindful of their current budget.
My first boss dropped this nugget on me during the first few weeks of working for him: "I'm going to teach our clients to mow their own grass. Show them what I know at a fair price. But it's up to them to keep going. When they get tired of mowing their grass, they're most likely going to come to me and pay me to mow it for them. We all win.”
Q: Can you describe some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced while running your own graphic design business and how you overcame them?
A: Boy, besides starting my business during Covid? Let's just say that one is the unspoken rule! I think the biggest challenge I've overcome is wearing too many hats and hitting burnout very quickly. I was raised on Reba, this girl is a survivor, okay! I came out of a bad situation and started my business for my family, but also for myself.
There was only so much I could do by myself, and even if I was killing it that first year, my time was getting less and less for myself. The challenge of burnout brought my husband Justin onto the team to help with tasks that could overwhelm me if I wasn't careful. Asking for help and allotting time for myself -- that helped me get the groove back for the third year of business.
Q: Can you describe a particularly successful project or client relationship that you’re particularly proud of, and what made it so successful?
A: One of my first clients is one of my mentors and dear friends. Diane Torrisi runs a design studio in Bonita Springs, FL. We've never met face to face, but we talk often on the phone like old friends after we've established a long-term business connection together. It all happened because she saw a comment about me offering advice to a mutual friend on Facebook about the design of her book cover, and she needed some design help herself!
What made it successful is taking time to really become that friend and ally. There's always a disconnect -- sometimes, business owners don't "get" design, marketing, and website stuff, but it's my job to break things down and show them what could benefit them.
Diane's come to me endless times with ideas, and I've helped or turned her down for them because I feel like maybe something isn't worth the investment.
What I pride myself on is doing that to ALL of my clients. We don't just sell you a logo or website, we're here to answer questions and explain the next steps or fresh ideas that they may have never thought of.
Q: How do you balance the creative and business aspects of running a graphic design business, and what tips would you give to other designers looking to do the same?
A: It's so hard! There are some days where I never want to check my e-mail just so I can do the creative, fun side of my job and others where I am strictly on admin duties. Delegating my energy and time has been CRUCIAL in finding balance.
I hired a CPA to handle taxes so I don't get run down during tax season, and my right-hand Justin is able to handle higher-level billing and money talks that were a roadblock.
Designers often try to "do everything" to save a few bucks, but the burnout is real. I advocate for finding a network and finding those small businesses that may help you -- be it hiring a HelpHer hourly for admin stuff or investing in a big CPA to set your LLC up. Anything can help so you can do what you love to do: design.
Q: What strategies have you found most effective in terms of marketing your business and attracting new clients?
A: I think what has helped best is that my goal isn't always to attract new clients -- it's about working with smaller networks and continued service to my existing clients! Referrals have been key because it's proof that I have done a good job without plastering arrogantly that "I'm the best in town" or something like that. I let my work and happy clients speak for me and speak about the work we do!
What means a lot to me is continued service. I often send follow-ups and sit down with clients when we are nearing completion of our projects and offer the "upsell," which is just the next step or two in what I think they would benefit from afterward.
Some clients take it, some don't, and some come back months later asking about it. Being honest about being a branding bestie and ally allows you to keep clients long-term.
Jasmine Decelle Branding & Design is a fresh, innovative, and creative agency that strives to bring businesses to life with their branding strategies and graphic design. With their focus on small businesses and their dedication to staying on top of design trends, Jasmine Decelle Branding & Design is the perfect #BrandingBuddy for any business looking to grow and succeed. If you're looking to take your brand to the next level, don't hesitate to reach out to Jasmine and her team. They're ready to infuse your brand with some zest and help it stand out in a crowded marketplace.