Meet Mr. William Woods, creative designer behind the layout for Mind of a Brown Skin Beauty. He shares how he got started, his inspirations, a glimpse of his work, and his tips for aspiring young business men.
Janelle: Welcome, it is nice to have a positive male figure grace the pages of Mind of a Brown Skin Beauty. Let's get started, what is your name?
WW: William Woods
Janelle: How old are you?
WW: 33
Janelle: What is the name of your business?
WW: IndivisualTM Graphics and Multimedia
Janelle: How old is your business?
WW: 11 years, since June 1999.
Janelle: “Mind of a Brown Skin Beauty” has followers from everywhere, where in the U.S. are you?
WW: Country Club Hills, IL
Janelle: What’s your business’ URL?
WW: http://graphics.indivisualinc.com
Janelle: Do you have a Social Networking site for your business that you would like to share?
WW: We can be found on Facebook by searching “Indivisual Graphics and Multimedia”
Janelle: Tell us a little about your business.
WW: GM was started in June 1999. We used to focus solely on print/logo design. But as our clientele grew,
so did our skill set. By 2004, we had begun to offer fully-hosted websites, interactive presentations (CD/DVD-ROM), and Audio/Video Production. We pride ourselves in offering these creative services at seriously competitive prices. IGM is often viewed as a “one-stop shop” that can create professional-looking work for any situation. Today, we handle projects that range from your next set of business cards, to your upcoming TV/online commercial.
Janelle: How did you come up with the idea to start a graphic design business?
WW: One of my side hustles since being in undergraduate school in 1996 has always been freelance graphic design. I would provide some of these same services to upstart businesses and such just to have some extra money to work with. This also helped strengthen my professional design approach so my work would be worth the price I was asking. After completing my Bachelor’s in Visual Communications, and building a small clientele over the 3 years that followed, I figured that it would only be right to put my education and freelance experience together and start my own company.
Janelle: What inspired your design for the layout for “Mind of a Brown Skin Beauty”?
WW: Of course, the use of brown in the color scheme was derived from the blog’s title. Brown is a color that, when used correctly, reflects “nature”. This blog celebrates being “natural” and “beautiful” in many ways. The different shades of brown reflect this value. I tried to create a layout that made that same emphatic statement. I also wanted to create a layout that reflected Janelle Wade as a person. The roughly textured background presents the struggles that are behind the author and/or viewer. The illustration of Janelle was meant to speak as a proclamation of happiness and confidence, frozen in time to serve as a reminder of how everyone should view his or her self; as works of “art”… in progress. The flowers reflect the blossoming of personal and professional achievements to come for both the author, and her viewers. It can also serve as one marveling at their own reflection saying “Through it all, look what I’ve become.”
Janelle: That is exactly what this Blog is all about and you captured it. What is so amazing is that I only told you a few words of what I was looking for and I placed complete creative control in your hands, and wow! Thank you! So tell me, what are your future plans for your business?
WW: You're welcomed. In the next 5 years, I plan for IndivisualTM Graphics and Multimedia to expand its reach to service the kind of clientele that operates with contracts and annual budgets. It is time to “go international”.
WW: Set your price, and STICK TO IT! Don’t be afraid to let some potential clients walk out before you start their project. If this were easy, everyone would be doing it. Clients are not paying for the end result, but for the time, thought, and tweaking of that project. Consider all of this when setting your prices, along with down payments! Undercut your competitors while making the dollar amount worth your while. Document everything with invoices and receipts. Finally, operate with the same integrity and precision that the pros use daily.
Janelle: One more thought tell us one thing that makes your business unique?
WW: I don’t believe in “nickel-and-diming” my clients. I love to work within the budget of honest, up-front people. One of the biggest compliments I receive is when I hear a client say “For what you charged, I got MORE than I was expecting.”
Janelle: Would you like to share anything else about yourself or your business?
WW: IGM now offers on-site Personal Computer (Windows/Mac) Training, as well as training on most Graphic Design software and processes. Rates vary based on duration, skill level, etc.
Contact us at 708.781.3935 or indivisual@sbcglobal.net for more details.
Janelle: How do perspective clients contact you?
WW: 708.781.3935 or indivisual@sbcglobal.net
Janelle: Thank you William for sharing your creativity with us. I love the new layout. It was a pleasure working with you and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about your passion. I look forward to working with you in the future.
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