Expanding from internet marketing to a series of business-related services might not seem like a big leap for a business to make, but going from that to children’s products might. It takes a truly passionate, hard working individual to grow a business into a variety of divisions that suit their interests and to make it work. Dahlia Benaroya is one of them.
Dahlia started Dahlia Web Designs eight years ago with a focus on design services as well as website and internet marketing strategy. As her business grew she found that it only made sense to expand on the services she offered and shifted into different areas of business management. If that wasn’t enough, she has also created a division specifically for children and even a division in the area of baseball.
While many feel that each business should maintain one focus or goal, Dahlia has proven that it is possible to succeed outside of that belief.
Tell us a little about Dahlia Web Designs.
Dahlia Web Designs LLC was formed by Dahlia Benaroya about 8 years ago to provide Website and Internet Marketing strategy and design services. Our clients are typically small businesses that are either established or starting up. We plan strategically and implement tactically to help businesses meet their business goals within their budget. Dahlia has over 20 years experience in business and technology integration. Prior to forming this company, she was the directory of Business/Technology Integration at an international pharmaceutical company, where she was responsible for spearheading strategies, implementing projects, and ensuring customer service.
How many different divisions do you have to your business and what are they?
We have 6 divisions within Dahlia Web Designs LLC. The primary focus is on the website and internet marketing services. Our Surefire Organization division focuses on business and organizational management. We formed this because of our belief that business strategies go hand-in-hand with website strategies and development. A website not only supports marketing; it also facilitates and enables a small business to develop and improve its business processing, the methods of communications with customers and administrative procedures.
A special initiative of ours focuses on children. We have several divisions with this in mind. Our Kids Love To® website series is devoted to showcasing children’s achievements and portfolios for professional, scholastic or family endeavors. Our online store, Great Kids Corner, where Themes Come Alive for Kids, offers children beautiful kids furniture, kids play furniture, and accessories and decor. We expanded our umbrella of children’s services with our Recommended Referrals service. This is a directory of small businesses that offer children’s products and services. This service not only helps the members market their businesses, it also helps potential customers find wonderful products and services for their children.
Our last division is our online store for authentic baseball products, Collectibles 4 Baseball.
Do you have any new sections in the works?
We are always looking for wonderful products that fit our Great Kids Corner product line and for our baseball store. We just signed with Steiner Sports to sell products such as autographed baseballs, bats, jerseys, gloves, photos and helmets. We are looking to expand our directory under Recommended Referrals. We are spearheading the creation of a networking group, NAFE’s local chapter at Westchester.
What separates your business from the competition?
Customers and clients appreciate our professional and customer focused approach. We put ourselves in the shoes of our customer to understand their business processes, goals and budget, to tailor our service for them. Our expertise in business/technology integration and customer service is key to enabling us to meet the challenges facing our customers. Many of our clients are too busy to think of everything; we are able to guide them to the right direction in a cost effective and efficient manner.
How has your business grown/changed since it launched?
Initially, Dahlia Web Designs LLC was focused on website design. Our interests and experience are wide-ranging, so expanding to the multiple divisions seemed a natural next step.
What goals do you still hope to accomplish?
We are currently establishing more strategic alliances with service providers and product suppliers to enable further expansion.
What are some of the lessons that your business has taught you?
Mostly, to be patient and have confidence that what one enjoys doing will succeed. One has to enjoy the process of developing a company even before it succeeds. Being flexible and offering multiple approaches is critical in order to meet client objectives. Understanding how businesses work is critical in website design too.
Do you have any advice that you would like to offer anyone hoping to get into the web design business?
The technology changes rapidly but one should understand if and how the technology applies to the client’s business. Understanding the business processes will enable a designer to implement with cost efficiencies and effectiveness in mind.