Head-turning Brands - Bootjack Design

Team Subkit -

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with James van Kriedt, Founder of Bootjack Design, located in Bend, OR, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I run a branding design studio creating comprehensive brand strategies and visual identities for growing businesses.

Tell us about yourself

I was working on opening my own wine bar, and I found myself having more fun working on the logo for the wine bar than the wine bar itself! What motivates me each day is that I am OBSESSED with graphic design and branding. I believe my success comes from being able to match my level of taste in current and timeless trends in design and branding.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Probably manifesting work with hotels. I didn't get a job once because I needed more "hotel experience" -- while that project didn't go through, I worked on two hotels. The project that I needed more experience on took so long they ended up coming back to me in the end!

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Managing all the day-to-day admin. I'd prefer to be working all day on design, but spend a lot of time billing, responding to emails, etc.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Learn to say no - if you say yes to everything, you won't have time to focus on the work that is truly meaningful
  2. Value your time - people will try to nickel and dime you. You may be compelled to work for less, but if you can hold out, you'll get more work at a higher value.
  3. Don't be afraid to make mistakes -- a lot of running a business is trial and error. You need to learn from your mistakes and work out systems to prevent them from happening again.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://bootjack.design/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bootjack.design/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-van-kriedt-0577015b/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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