Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in graphic design but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jeffrey Marks, Founding Partner of Plucky, located in Burbank, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We’re a design and production studio known for our motion picture and television work. And that gets us the most attention. But we bring Hollywood-level design and production to all our clients: advertising, web design, interactive, and branding. Every client gets and deserves the star treatment. Our customers include the major studios and networks, corporations, and mom-and-pop shops.
Tell us about yourself
Raiders of the Lost Ark. I saw that film when I was a kid, then read an article about how they did the visual effects. It was then I understood that making entertainment was a job. From that day on, I was on a collision course with Hollywood. When I arrived, I still thought it was all magic. But I learned that the business side of show business was both critical to success and could also be magical in its own way. Everything we do is art. And art is subjective. But the business and the client service side of making professional art is not subjective. We pride ourselves on making the client-vendor relationship as unique and inspiring as the art we create.
What motivates me… satisfied customers and happy employees. One of the best days was when our first assistant cried with joy when we gave her a Christmas bonus. She had never had a job that gave her a bonus. She was so grateful … and at first, I thought it was just for the money. But then she said it was everything about working at Plucky. The money was only the icing on the cake.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our reputation. There is nothing more satisfying than referral business and referrals for job openings because our clients and employees love what we built and how we do it.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Making sure there is plenty of rewarding work to both keep everyone gainfully employed but also loving what they are working on. This was not an easy feat at the start of the pandemic. I lost a lot of sleep in early 2020. But we managed to keep everyone employed.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If you don’t love what you do, your clients and employees won’t love it either. And if you love it, money will always follow.
- It will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life but also one of the most challenging.
- No matter how much time you think, you will spend on HR and staff morale, triple it.
- Bonus: Don’t be afraid to fail. I’ve learned more from my mistakes than my successes.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.plucky.la/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pluckyllc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pluckylosangeles/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PluckyLLC
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyjmarks/
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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