It's been a while since I've posted so thought I would catch up reading, and writing a blog or two-- It seems that the failing economy has resulted in a boom of entreprenuerism here in the Tampa Bay area which in turn has been keeping me quite busy! Kudos to the new small business owners who continue to shine a light on my business and others in like industries.
It's heart warming and occasionally even heart wrenching to watch small businesses being built from ground zero. From those who were in construction, to CEO's of major corporations, I see a diversified bunch developing great ideas and turning them into thriving companies. It is a show of strength in the midst of an ever changing economy. In other words, in an effort to survive in hard times, many have found no other choice than to get creative and take a chance on self-employment--- and most are on their way to great success. Self employment can be difficult, but with the rolling up of the sleeves, a good idea and some careful planning, the rewards can be many.
In the nine and a half years that I've been in business providing website design and graphic design to Tampa Bay business owners, I've come face to face with the ins and outs of small business ownership. I came to the realization early on that taking the time to truly listen to each one of my clients is what would enable the future diversification of my own business. Tampa Bay business owners want and need marketing, design and print services that are affordable but----they do not want to forgo good if not excellent customer service. In fact they want "more" personalized service and they want to save time. Dealing with one trusted vendor is a plus for our customers, as well. We give our clients the attention they deserve, in turn, they treat us to repeat business. Often times a web design client also needs catalog printing and design, and a logo design client, may need t-shirt printing. Ah, growth is a wonderful thing! Each year we've added a little more variety to our existing services. To date, we provide a great "combo platter" of design and marketing products and services that serve the Tampa Bay small business community well.
On a heartfelt note, I see how God paved the way for me to meet the needs of my clients by putting tools in my toolbox---tools that I thought I would never need or utilize for that matter. With an accounting and marketing background that was built out of need more than desire, I was a self-employed "bean counter" for years, muddling through to put the food on the table for my two beautiful (and hungry) kids! When I decided to make the transition into Corporate American, I was fortunate enough to learn how to market like a pioneer and I served under the President of one of Tampa Bay's largest retail jewelry business' Ad Agency. From scheduling radio and television station ad time to creating billboard and print ads, I learned the ropes of marketing and advertising under the best of the best--- and I loved it. I wrote advertorials for the Tampa Bay Business Journal and rekindled my love for writing. I've freelanced as Editor for local Tampa Bay area newspapers, and am published in print as well as online. An avid artist since I was a little girl, I was finally able to quench my thirst for creativity (without starving) when (thank the lord!) the 90's brought us the World Wide Web! Wow, does anyone remember CompuServe back in the day? Hmmm, I suddenly feel old. (g) I have to smile about those first days online. I remember what the cost of obtaining a business website was back then as well, and it quickly became my goal and dream to start my own web and graphic design firm that would provide Tampa area small business owners with an affordable way to get the products and services they needed to become successful and competitive---without forgoing quality and customer service.
So, here I am years later and customer service and reliability has continued to be a top priority. Offering a variety of design, marketing and printing services to our Tampa clients has kept return business in an upward swing. But, how do you know when offering services outside of your "specialty" is the right thing to do? For instance, should a freelance website designer also offer catalog design and printing or.... would it hinder your ability to provide your clients with the customer service and support needed to keep them happy? Will you still be able to meet stringent deadlines without skipping a beat? My fellow Tampa web and graphic designers know that our clients need what they need ---and they benerally need it yesterday! The last thing your small design business needs is to do anything that would create unhappy clients-- Let's face it, word spreads like wildfire and a bad reputation can destroy your small business, no matter what industry you're in.There are variables to consider and those in any industry must decide if diversifying is the right move or not. Business owners should trust their gut instinct and should accept their limitations. Proliferating services or products that weren't part of the original business plan is not for everyone and certainly not for the fainthearted. For instance, Bay Area Graphics and Marketing offers website design and e-commerce web design, graphic and logo design as well as printing services. If you need a product catalog designed, printed and shipped directly to you, or an e-commerce website to showcase and sell your products online...we can do both for you efficiently and effectively. We can assist you with all of your marketing services such as SEO (marketing your Tampa website) as well as marketing and design services and ad campaigns for email and snail mail! Our video editing services help those who would like their T.V. interviews or commercials put on their websites, often video clips that require editing for content and time. We can create videos or flash from your stills as well. One call gets most of what you need to run your Tampa Bay business smoothly.
Truly, our customers can take much of the credit for our steady growth. We take the credit for listening to our clients and delivering to them the services and products that they want. Our marketing and design background coupled with having had owned other small businesses in different industries, helps us to understand what it takes to ensure that our clients are happy. First and foremost, we know that what we do (or don't do) will affect our client's bottom line, hence affecting ours. Obtaining one or more of the services we offer, can be done with ease. We treat clients the way we would want to be treated and will go above and beyond to help launch and expand Tampa small businesses.
Website Design Tampa - http://www.websitestampabay.com/
Graphic Design Tampa - http://websitestampabay.com/graphic-design.htm
Printing Tampa- http://websitestampabay.com/brochures_flyers_tampa_printer.html
bagraphics@verizon.net
