Cohesive Branding, Web Design & Social Content

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Christine Lieu, founder and graphic designer of CL Designs, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

I am the expert behind CL Designs and the Brand Party Podcast. I'm a graphic designer who's traded in climbing the corporate ladder for climbing mountains around the world. I help purpose-driven businesses create cohesive branding, web design, and social content creation to increase their impact and sales. Saying no to dull and clunky visuals and yes to consistency, creativity, and efficiency forms the core of her approach. As the Brand Party Podcast host, my guests and I deliver fun, honest, to-the-point advice that you can implement RIGHT AWAY in your entrepreneurial journey. It has made Top 10: Canada Design and Apple Podcasts' acclaimed New + Noteworthy list in both the Art and Design categories.

Having earned my stripes in the fast-paced media world and learned first-hand the challenges faced by startups through my own journey (sometimes the hard way!) I wanted to provide lean and efficient design and branding services that would free businesses to push on with what they're best at. I've helped bootstrap startups, household brands, and pretty much everything in between. When I'm not climbing mountains around the world, I've been featured in Yahoo News' Top 10 graphic designers to watch for in 2021 and have had the honor to be nominated for RBC'S Women of Influence Award two years in a row. A Digital Publishing Award for my work on Maclean's "Bulldog" Election Daily issue, worked as a contributing designer on the launch of the Walmart Live Better social campaign, covered nationally broadcasted events such as the Juno Awards and Canadian Music Week with CBC Music, and helped the House of Anesi raise over $90K on their Kickstarter campaign while assisting purpose-driven businesses to create branding and design collateral to help drive her clients' top line.

Tell us about yourself

Ten years ago, I started entrepreneurship with a streetwear apparel brand called In Lieu of that I owned and operated. These were pre-dropping days, and I learned a lot about a product-based business. Being a daughter of immigrant parents and seeing firsthand how much dedication and care my grandparents also provided with their restaurant businesses, it's engrained a sense of work ethic and appreciation into what I do today with CL Designs and the Brand Party Podcast.

My mission at CL Designs is to communicate with integrity and to create a positive impact. To be able to help my clients create their bold legacies is what lights me up. This is also why I now focus on purpose-driven businesses along with social impact brands and nonprofits. Sharing accessible resources such as the podcast and Brand Party Challenge with hundreds and thousands of fellow business owners feels great to continue to grow together and support this community. Your success is my success!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been being able to serve over 400 business owners with CL Designs, nearly 10,000 downloads of the Brand Party Podcast, and creating a six-figure business while taking a month off. I didn't always see myself or the type of business I wanted to run out there. Now, I want others to know that you can still make a viable income while keeping integral to you and your well-being.

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

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is the financials or client relationships, I'd say. These areas can also be some of the most rewarding. As a creative, it can be hard to wrap my head around all the numbers all the time, but I've seen such an impact in being real with my numbers, forecasting, and pricing in order to continue to help others. And to also have a wonderful accountant that supports me, so don't be scared to ask for help!

Plus, it's important that each person feels seen and understood with the client relationship side. As humans, we're all multi-faceted and multi-passionate, so there is really no one solution to how to deal with potentially difficult situations as everyone is different, and how they handle each case will be different. But the best way is through and to bring compassion with everything I do.

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

Get really clear of what your superpower is. When I say this, I mean really identifying what that unique value proposition is and clarifying who it is you serve. The identity to bring your visual communications to life. This will help you stand out in the evolving digital landscape.
Gone are the days of business cards only. Your website is this portal to your magic! Understanding that you may be paying for your domain and hosting platform already let's make sure that you're getting a return on your investment and having your website work for you when you're not physically showing up all the time. Over 90% of customers will make their decision to buy from you based on their first impression of your website. Having a professional-looking website can make all the difference when you're looking to connect and create a positive user experience to have them purchase from you time and time again.
Evaluate and delight. Market research is important always to get feedback on how things are continuing to go and ensure you're not assuming challenges your dream clients or customers could be facing. Let's hear directly from the source. Based on these insights and feedback, you're better to position yourself in the market and continue scaling and delighting your community. Plus, increase your brand loyalty!

Thank you so much for this opportunity to share my story, and hope that it inspires those who read it.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.christineldesigns.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristineLDesigns
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_clieu/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-lieu-71644228/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.