Today we’d like to introduce you to T’Keyah K.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
For the first 21 years of my life, I was provided a Sponsor – not Nike though, my sponsor was my mom. I was her pride and joy and she loved to show me off. We traveled often, went to award shows, and countless concerts. I never considered myself to be a hustler because essentially, I didn’t have to be. Until March 6, 2013 when I was awakened by the cries of my younger brother — that, “Mommies gone”. At the time, we were both attending Bethune-Cookman University 3,000 miles away from home. We buried our Mom and went right back to living our lives, kind of. I immediately started working administrative and retail jobs as well as interning to build my resumé so that I had some experience post Grad. Amidst grieving and thinking I found love, I found out I was pregnant! Upon graduating in 2014, I moved home to San Diego to deliver and just start anew. I spent the first year nursing and bonding with baby girl.
In 2015 I had gotten hired on at a Native American Clinic working as a Patient advocate. I loved everything about my job, the community I served, my job description, my coworkers, my pay rate, my commute, EVERYTHING. But March 2017 I was let go from my seemingly “Good Job” due to a conflict of interest for lack of better words. I was let go not only by my job but my then-boyfriend and child’s father too (all in a week’s time). Double dumped (lol) – it’s funny now, but it wasn’t then, I was a mess! I didn’t know what I was going to do, but the day I was let go my Uncle and Brother took me to lunch & I remember telling them I’m going to start “slangin'” Snapchat Filters and asking for their recommendations for a business name — I really don’t think they even took me seriously. I had only done a few at the time, but between my family and friends, I knew people had an interest. So that night, I made me a logo, business card & Instagram account to start promoting my NEW BUSINESS, then named “T.K. Kreative Kreations” I started with Snapchat Filters and doing party invites. Today, Feathered Design Studio offers a wide range of services to our individual and business clients. Our clients receive personalized branding & marketing service that is beyond comparison.
Has it been a smooth road?
For the most part, yes! Not initially, though, reason being? My business name was my namesake, so everyone felt like they knew “T.K”. In the beginning, I did a lot of explaining and bartering my prices for customers because for 1. I was just starting out and 2. I knew my skill level at the time. I think this kind of just comes with the territory though, so I never deemed it to negatively impact my business, but instead build a stronger me. Starting out, I made myself too accessible and at times, it would stress me out. My first point of contact was to call or text ME, but the conversations would oftentimes go in circles to end up nowhere and zero dollars spent. So I had to reevaluate my brand and implement ways and forms that customers could access first to cut down on free consultations. I have since rebranded and changed my business name to Feathered Design Studio (FDS), it just has a more professional presence to me. And it changes both the conversation and the expectation. I don’t have to respond as T.K., dealing with FDS you can now give US “48hrs to respond”. Working hours are posted, holidays and birthdays are observed. So it hasn’t always been entirely smooth, but every day I brainstorm ways to make both me and my clients experience a little bit easier.
To any young woman just starting out, I say to you, don’t oversell and don’t undersell yourself, instead find a happy medium to market yourself in a way that you are physically and mentally able to – because YOU ARE YOUR BRAND. As a millennial, I see a lot of entrepreneurs with a list of policies & procedures that don’t work in favor of their business, because their business to be frank “Ain’t there yet” financially and/or aesthetically. For example, don’t suggest “NO Direct Messages (DMS)” and not have a website or booking site for potential buyers to support you. Consumers should never wonder how to shop with you, it should be in plain sight and all of your links should be up to date and functional.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Feathered Design Studio – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I take pride in taking the time to understand your goals, business and industry before I start designing. I consider it a top priority to provide the personal attention and quality creative services you deserve. I specialize in all forms of web, print and interactive media, including advertising, signage, outdoor, brochures, corporate identity, as well as websites and other forms of new media. With years of experience, I will formulate and execute a targeted solution to help your business succeed. Though my business isn’t just for women, they are who I largely collaborate with to offer modern designs and chic flyers that include glitter & pizzazz for pretty branding.
Who have you been inspired by?
Of course my mother, “Deborah Alto/Nia Love” though she was my “Sponsor” and gave me all my hearts desires, she still managed to raise me with a strong work ethic, she instilled business practices and morals in me that I am forever indebted for. It’s just crazy because in hindsight, I thought she was nuts, I had so much independence at such a young age because of her. Bank deposits and withdrawals by the age of 7, I was designing her annual beach party flyer by the age of 10, hosting parties and booking flights by 12. My brother and I were known for our house parties, but she would make all the kids pay $2-$5 & I hateddddddd it. Like Ma, “We rich” why we charging these kids? But their parents would drop them off with cash in hand and it’s just moments like that that I reflect on and say, “Damn Moms was tough”. She loved flowers and would sell them at the Sweet Auburn Festival in Atlanta some years. She would make a sign and have me hold it, standing on top of our cooler & I hateddddddd it. Like Ma, “We rich” why we slangin’ flowers? I see now though, “Mommies money ain’t always gone be there”. That was the life lesson, but I was too naive to see it and she never dwelled on it much (she wasn’t the one for explainin’). It just was what it was and I rolled with it because she was literally the love of my life and I was with whatever she was with.
Pricing:
- Text Based Logo – $65 Standard Logo $75 – Advanced Logo $85 – Illustrations $150+
- Wix Web Design $250 (up to 5 pages/10 products) domain and host fees not included.
- eFlyer/Digital Flyer – $40
- Snapchat Filter Design & Submission $50+
- Retractable Banner Design, Print & Ship $200
- Business Card (Design Only) $30
Contact Info:
- Website: www.feathered.love
- Phone: 6198231174
- Email: info@feathered.love
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feathereddesignstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Feathered.Love/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/FeatheredCEO/
Image Credit:
Gio Elegant Photography
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