At first glance someone might think there’s nothing to making a simple banner. You might be right, but if you want to make one that looks especially impressive it takes imagination, and a unique ability to work with some of the best graphic programs. Thankfully there are people like Stephanie from Sweet Boutique Design who has all of that and more.
Using her love of graphic design she was able to take a part time hobby and turn it into a way to make some money while staying home with her family. Stephanie is a member within the HTML writers guild, as well as the International Webmasters Association, Women Designers Group and Pixelitas.
What is ‘Sweet Boutique Design’?
Sweet Boutique Design, LLC is a small, home-based web design studio located in Metro Detroit, MI. I specialize in affordable trendy, hip, boutique website designs. Custom e-commerce sites, brochures site, business card sites, informational sites, blog designs, shopping cart installation, shopping cart license, logo design, print design, graphic design and premade templates. My main focus of my business is helping women start their own online business. I hope to give women the resources and tutorails I couldn’t find when I wanted to start my business.
What kinds of premade designs and styles do you offer? What’s the most popular?
I offer premade designs for budget conscious people who are just starting out online and don’t have to income for a custom design. I tend to make more fun and girly style templates for boutiques. The most popular has been my chocolate dots and Whimsy Boutique templates. Whimsy Boutique has a hand drawn boutique storefront as part of the header.
How long does it take you to design a web layout from scratch?
Most people don’t realize how much time is invested into a custom design or even a premade template. For a custom design, I usually put up to 80 hours or more of work into it, depending on the complexity of the design. That’s from design conception to implementation of a clients design. I’m so busy sometimes that I’m really glad I work at home. I can go to work in my pajamas :)
What is the most common order made?
Premade templates and advertising banners.
What’s the most popular premade template?
Chocolate Dots and Whimsy Boutique.
How long have you been making these for?
For over a year.
What previous experience do you have that you’ve been able to apply to your business?
Before I quit my full time job to stay at home with my girls, I was a retail store manager for a popular clothing store. I also have quite a few business management classes from college. I learned some valuable skills like time management, customer relations and marketing from previous job that I am definitely using today in my business. I’ve always been able to draw (I’ve been told very well) since I was young. It seemed just natural to learn how to use programs like Illustrator and Photoshop to develop and strengthen my skills. (I can’t run my business without those programs)
What steps did you take to get your business started?
I researched my state’s laws relating to web and graphic design and searched for a name that wasn’t in use. I then purchased my domain name and found a terrific shopping cart to use. I also invested in professional software to use - Adobe Creative Suite 3.
What advertising have you done to get the word out about your services?
I’ve mostly done online advertising, paying for ad banner slots and I’ve utilized Google Ad Words. Word of mouth has been great for my business as well.
Have you received any advice that’s been invaluable to you while starting or running your business?
Don’t give up, no matter what. I’ve been told that many, many times.
How do you manage your time between being mom and web design?
It’s hard sometimes. Some days, my 21 month old is playing in my office right by my feet while I’m working in Illustrator on graphics for a client. I’ve had to be strict with myself though and keep “normal business hours”. I don’t take phone calls on nights and weekends. That time is family time and it’s very important to me.
Has parenthood taught you anything that you’ve been able to apply in business?
It’s taught me how to not be a push-over. LOL.
Do you have any advice for other web savvy mom’s that would like to sell their services?
Don’t be afraid to start your business and follow your dreams. Make sure you do your research of state and local laws before doing anything though. I think most people forget that step. Most states you need a sales tax license to sell goods online. Also, beware of who you hire as your designer. Look at their portfolio, look at the sites they’ve made, make sure their designs are compatible in all major browsers and look at if you can call them on the phone. A good designer will be able to provide all aspects of what you need to start your online business right down to an appropriate shopping cart.
Curt on June 19th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Custom website’s can be a great business, because everyone needs a website and everyone wants to talk to a real person about it because it’s very important to their business that they are represented well on the internet. Local website shops have an advantage.
danakeith on June 19th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
how lucky of her to have the ability doing such thing, it’s really a great business.
cassy on June 24th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I can say that not all people have the gift of creating\designing something thats unique! Maybe i will think this kind of business here in our place.
Healthy Chocolate Wealth Builder on June 26th, 2008 at 2:17 am
“Home-based web design studio” is good!
Creating different home based business opportunity’s to work form home. Very glad to share this information for you.