We’re a week out from our first B-Side class, Creative Business 101: Getting Started! This first session will teach you the foundation you need to start your own biz. Woody Holliman and Jeanne Taylor have learned these lessons first hand and are excited to share their knowledge and experience with the Raleigh community. In preparation for next Monday’s class, we asked Woody and Jeanne a few questions about the challenges and perks of owning their own creative biz.
Are you ready to attend?! Get your tickets for the B-Side here!!
What type of design firm did you own?
Flywheel Design was a small (8- to 10-person) agency specializing in the arts & culture sector. We provided corporate identity design, advertising, print and web design to clients such as American Dance Festival, Cline Design, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, Watts Grocery, Nasher Museum of Art, Manbites Dog Theater, Shen Wei Dance Arts, and Home Shopping Network. We also worked with a variety of departments and programs at Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill.
What was the motivation behind you starting your own design firm?
Prior to starting Flywheel, I was a full-time design professor for seven years, and I was having trouble transitioning back into the industry. I didn’t fit neatly into any of the standard boxes: I was too skilled (and probably too old) to be considered for an entry-level position, but didn’t have enough recent industry experience to get hired as a creative director. So I said to myself: What the hell, I’ll just start my own firm! Had no idea what I was getting myself into…
If you could go back in time and tell yourself one piece of information what would it be?
That a small design firm can’t remain profitable without a few larger, bread-and-butter clients and/or retainer agreements that provide predictable monthly income. Aside from our quarterly work for Home Shopping Network, our workflow was almost completely unpredictable, which meant that some months we operated in the red. Very stressful!
What was your biggest challenge while being your own boss?
Keeping my clients happy.
What was your biggest accomplishment while being your own boss?
Keeping my designers happy.
Why are you excited about teaching at the B-Side?
As a design professor, I get to share many things with my students, but most aren’t ready to learn about the business side of design. I mostly learned about business by making mistakes, so I’m eager to share my life lessons and help other people get it right the first time!
What type of design firm did you own?
For 15 years, I owned a boutique design and marketing firm. We worked primarily with small to medium sized business who put a focus on beautiful functional design to support their marketing goals.
What was the motivation behind you starting your own design firm?
Honestly, at the time, I’m not sure I gave it a whole lot of thought. It was more something that I said off the cuff (“one day I’d like to have my own firm”) and my employer at the time completely leapt on the idea. Being an entrepreneur himself, he saw it as an opportunity to mentor and support me and… that was that.
Seriously though, I wanted to have my own firm for fairly intuitive reasons—have creative freedom, be my own boss, set my own hours, not have to report or answer to anyone. Ha! I can tell you now those are not the best reasons to start your own business.
If you could go back in time and tell yourself one piece of information what would it be?
Being busy isn’t the same thing as being productive. There is no extra credit for working longer or harder, only smarter.
What was your biggest challenge while being your own boss?
Turning work off. I think it’s a challenge many entrepreneurs and small business owners face.
What was your biggest accomplishment while being your own boss?
Beyond a doubt, my biggest accomplishment in being my own boss was hiring and working with amazing employees. I have been incredibly fortunate over the years to work with people who are dedicated to their craft and committed to delivering more than what’s required. I’ve always seen my business as a creative collaboration – between myself, my designers, and clients. I believe that’s what truly made Designing Solutions successful.
Why are you excited about teaching at the B-Side?
Being an amazing designer is not enough in the business of design today. Design schools and programs typically do not prepare designers to work as business people. We can elevate the professionalism and success of small firms through this type of program. I’m thrilled to contribute to the B-Side.
Are you ready to attend?! Get your tickets for the B-Side here!!