South Normanton creative business owner, Lisa Artliff, has over 20 years experience in the print and design industry. Lisa talked to us recently about her passion for all things creative, and the importance of the mentoring support she received through The Big House programme.
Can you tell us a little more about your business?
I run a graphic design company specialising in Brand Identity. I don’t just do a logo I help businesses gain confidence in their brand so that they have a better understanding of what their business stands for and that they feel confident that they are hitting the right target audience. I help them understand their brand better.
What led you to start your own business?
I have a degree in Graphic Design and a PGCE in adult and further education (FE). My past employment includes employment as graphic designer then a college lecturer and just before I started my business I was a Head of school and then Head of FE. I started my business through my passion for design and all things creative; I believe that this is something that should be accessible to all businesses.
I also wanted to be able to have a successful business that allows me to have the lifestyle that I want as I get older. That doesn’t mean big bucks but flexibility and the funds to do what I want to.
What attracted you to approach NBV for support?
The attraction was that the support and help on offer was specifically designed with the creative industry in mind and not generic business support. I also wanted help to gain confidence in my own business and my abilities to be able to raise my prices and have a clearer direction of where I wanted my business to go for the next five years.
How has the support you’ve received helped your business?
It has helped me gain clarity in my business and the direction that I want to go. It has given me the confidence to start to charge what I am worth especially combating my own self-esteem. I still have a way to go but it has been working really well.
I am now in the process of changing my website and its focus and then as a result increasing my prices quite significantly.
What are your plans for the future?
My plan for the future is to continue to grow my business and to work on my self worth and celebrating my abilities. I want to be able to say I am no longer a busy fool.
Have there been any obstacles to overcome along the way?
Feeling isolated and lonely and thinking that you have to answer all your own questions all the time. The biggest ostacle is having too much to do and not enough time to do it in BECAUSE I have not managed my booking effectively and not charged the right prices from the beginning.
Building on that, do you have any tips for others who are looking to follow in your footsteps?
My tip to any new business owner is CHARGE WHAT YOU ARE WORTH FROM THE VERY BEGINNING even if it feels too much!! If you don’t you will only hurt yourself and your business in the long run. Also get your brand and message sorted just as much as your product or service because you want to go out there with your business the best dressed that it can be and saying all the right messages to your target audience.
If you’d like to follow in Lisa’s footsteps, contact NBV today to see how we can help your business grow: register or call us on 0844 887 2568*