I want to share my story and hope someday, any day, today it may inspire other aspiring entrepreneurs! If you were to ask me while growing up, what did I want to be when I grew up.” I would have said a veterinarian because of my love for animals. Not knowing that I had this little creativity brewing inside of me. I got to college, applied for the graphic design program (which was SUPER competitive) didn’t get into the program. So, I immediately switched over to Advertising & Public Relations and got my degree within the School of Communications. Needless to say that was by far one of the best things that I could have ever done. Not even paying attention to the path that God had already created for me, it was destined for me to take my graphic designing skills and put them to use to create brand identities and advertisements for local businesses.
That’s when I knew I had found my niché. Before going to college I had always been the girl who was using Paint Shop Pro and I knew how to make some mean collages. Everyone loved them and of course wanted their own. But then I got some of my fellow peers or friends who challenged me to create some professional things for them. Played around with that (and of course I needed a better software and more practice) But I will say one thing is for sure, those people who trusted me in making these things for them played a major role in my confidence of sticking things out and perfecting my skills.
During college, I was mastering my techniques coming up with better ways to design within the ADOBE creative suites WAS NOT EASY, but I was determined! I was able to self teach myself all while improving my graphic design skills, from helping out with graphics within my organizations, part flyers, then Logos. Creating other people’s logos for their brands made it really officially. So, guess what that’s when I decided to take this very business card
and update it. I wanted my “on the side hustle” to be taken serious so within that of course I needed to work on a logo, flyers, my website, social media content all for my business. Whatever to get my name out and make my business stand out to show people they should go with me for their design needs. Every year of my business I have been learning more and more things and it has honestly been a journey for me.
I had a vision and knew I wanted it to be perfect because this was my little baby. That I had invested time & money into.
Fast forward...almost 5 years in, I couldn’t have asked for anything more within Twenty One Design and Promotions
Twenty One Design and Promotions name stems from the number 21, because it was Christon Stewart‘s beloved father's nickname who isn’t no longer her with us, but he got the name for being a beast in blackjack. 21 means a lot to the growth of this business and the passion that comes with it.
Of course. NO business is easy and it’s hard. Being the sole owner of your business and working on things from the designs and invoicing and social media. As my business begin to grow I needed support to continue to execute out client projects in a timely manner. Twenty One Design and Promotions hired a virtual assistant to help support managing social media networks and any administrative tasks.
So many things to forever be grateful for! Again, if you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, honestly I wouldn't be able to answer it, but I am proud to say I have an organization that is solely on Facebook for women in the design Industry
“Promoting group success and personal branding”
I am able to outsource printing for apparel for my clients, I have officially branding my other business under Twenty One Design and Promotions called Twenty One Apparel that houses my two apparel lines. Detroit Made Me & I Support Women Who Design. To shop visit shoptwentyoneapparel.com With many more things that are to come. I have some goals of course within the next 5 years that I would love to see accomplish and what better way to reach those goals? Of course, start now!
Now keep in mind. I’ve done all this while working a 9-5 and as “some people” call it. Working someone else’s dream, GUESS what ?? It’s not bad at all and I can’t wait to share that blog post with you in the near future!!
In a nutshell if I had to sum up every bit of information/details within this blog I would say this one thing, AIM HIGH! If you have a business idea, a vision even an image then what are you waiting for. Make something out of it. Go above and beyond to invest and put your energy into it. Because you never know what idea will be your next billion dollar idea. But always remember it’s going to take TIME, PATIENCE, CONSISTENCY, & HARD WORK! I know one thing, with all the blood, sweat and tears I’ve put into my business I can not wait to celebrate my 28th birthday and the 5 year anniversary of Twenty One Design and Promotions FEB 2019 (MORE DETAILS TO COME)
Thank you for reading my personal testimony and I hope to one day read about yours too! 💖