Hera Hub is excited to share Startup Stories from our members in honor of National Entrepreneurship Week. Each day this week we will interview incredible business women from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. Our goal is to share our members’ wonderful stories with the public.
Laura Harwood is the owner of Laura Harwood Design. Laura specializes in personalized branding solutions for passionate business owners. She will listen to your story, get to know your business and create beautiful unique graphics that reflect your personal style and serve as effective marketing tools for years to come. When asked about her work process, Laura says,
“I accept a limited number of clients per month to ensure each project receives the time and attention it deserves. My business model focuses on excellent client service and personalized attention. You work directly with me as we design the perfect brand for your business.”
Laura has been a Hera Hub member at our Sorrento Valley, California location for one year. Here is her Startup Story:
What was the inspiration behind your business?
I was constantly being asked to help family and friends with their logos, invitations and designs. And to be honest, there are some terrible graphics out there. I decided to leave the corporate world to follow my dream of helping business owners create great branding.
Who are your clients and what do you do for them?
My clients are primarily female solopreneurs who have been in business for three to five years. I take my client’s current or non-existent branding and elevate it. I help clients increase their revenue with eye catching branding that reflects their personal style and speaks to their target market.
What are your business’ values? How do they align with your personal values?
My core values are honesty and trust which can be achieved with good communication. I also treat my clients, as I would like to be treated. It is important to create great relationships with each of my clients as I would with family or friends.
How/Why did you choose your business name?
While pursuing my master’s degree, I needed to create a business plan for a ficticious business. I figured if I had to complete the assignment, why not create a business plan for myself and name the business Laura Harwood Design. At the time I was working a full time job, and never thought the business plan would be anything other than a completed assignment. Fast-forward two years and Laura Harwood Design is a reality.
What do you love most about your work?
I love getting to know my clients and their dreams. I also enjoy finding creative solutions to their challenges. Helping clients improve their branding to create successful marketing materials which also puts revenue back into their pocket, makes me smile.
What is the biggest challenge in running your own business?
Art is subjective and I tend to be a perfectionist. I want to explore every color, font and layout until I have the perfect solution. Unfortunately this comes with a cost. This year I am focused on setting boundaries and keeping expectations realistic.
What are your/your business’ goals for the future?
I would like to automate processes so I can focus more time on designing. I am also focused on streamlining my annual revenue with several monthly retainers. Long term, I plan on making two strategic alliances in the water-ski industry to combine my passion for sports with my design expertise.
What advice would you give to a new entrepreneur?
There is never a perfect time to launch your business, new project or idea. It is better to try something and fail, than regret you never tried.
