May 2023 Newsletter

Shapes & Colors team, Maria Stone, Jolinda Anderson, Cierra Fountain

Introducing my team!

I started out as a shop of one, and I have worked with contractors on a per-project basis the last few years. In the last 6 months, I have needed consistent support to keep things moving optimally and have brought on two team members.

Since the fall of 2022, I have been working with Maria Stone, Marketing & Account Coordinator, to keep projects and client communication organized. She’s also played a huge part in planning our monthly Richmond Curious events at Gather Arts District.

In January of this year, Cierra Fountain joined the team as a Junior Designer. She creates internal and external marketing materials for Shapes & Colors and supports the graphic and web design needs of several of our clients.

Recent Work

What’s Q1 been like?

In February I worked from Florida for 21 days to be in sunny, warm weather.
I launched a new strategic marketing discipline and have been learning how best to implement that with clients. I don’t always get it right but I’m dedicated to learning and providing great value to clients.
We launched our Level client’s WordPress website and then migrated to a new hosting environment to save them thousands per year on hosting fees.
I’ve been teaching branding and website workshops again. Get in touch if you need a speaker!
We’ve been wrapping up projects for Capital Region Small Business Development Center clients who we supported in making website updates. I’m also speaking on Professional Website Tips 101 for the SBDC in June.
I was nominated for InUnison board service and I’m helping plan a major local business event this fall.
Our team helped design lots of materials for a major fundraising event for our client Girls For A Change.
It’s been a slower than normal time in terms of new business and I’m having to get creative about how I run the business to protect our income and profitability.

Some recent milestones:

I hired a new part-time Junior Designer, Cierra Fountain, who works remotely for our team.
I’m loving working with my Account Coordinator, Maria Stone – also new to the team.
We held a fun client appreciation event in March where the whole team was able to gather and connect.
I earned more business income in 2022 than I did in 2021, and remained profitable.
Our team took lots of wonderful time off at the end of 2022.
I’m playing lots of sand volleyball and my partner and I won a recent tournament in Charlottesville, VA.
I was invited onto a 40+ women’s volleyball team and we’ll be competing at Open Nationals later this month in Dallas, TX

Looking ahead – events I’m attending

Richmond Curious – This event series is based out of my coworking space in Gather Arts. Our May 12 event will focus on Local Developments.
Lucks Lane Farmers Market – Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. 11551 Lucks Lane. Begins mid-March.
Kim Brundage Photography, Headshot Party June 2023 – I partner with the RV-ing Kim Brundage to serve as a wardrobe stylist and brand advisor during her headshot parties. If you need a headshot, grab a slot at the link above!
Richmond Night Market – I’ll be vending in this market series starting in April. Check my Instagram for exact dates.
Carytown Farmers Market – Sundays, 9am to 1pm, starting in May

Keep an eye out on my Instagram to see exactly where I’ll be vending and what art or craft objects you can expect on my table.

Shop Maker Things

Word of the year?

As I enter a season of expansion in business – having hired two new employees in the last quarter – my focus is on the feeling of Abundance.

I know there is enough business and opportunity to sustain my team, so I am leaning into the energy of Abundance as I take on this new phase and role in business.

Ask Me Anything

As I build my business, I don’t have the space in my calendar to do coffee chats and unpaid consulting. However, for the folks who are willing to invest in my time, I am happy to share a bit more behind the curtain in a 60-minute recorded session. (I’ve invested a ton of time and money over the years – it’ll be worth it!)