We invited Kushala Reddy, Founder of The Design Journal, for an interview with Most Popular Stories. Let’s know more about her entrepreneurial journey.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey as an entrepreneur
I’m Kushala Reddy, founder, lead designer, and strategist at Design Journal, a Bangalore-based design and social media agency that works with businesses both at home and abroad to create memorable brands.
As a former architect, I leverage my design sensibilities and business know-how to help both product and service-based businesses increase their visibility on social media platforms and stay on top of their audience’s minds with striking visuals.
2. Why did you choose entrepreneurship over a job?
Studying architecture gave me a starting point, a foundation, of how to look at and design aesthetic objects and spaces. And since I always wanted to have a design agency of my own, I took intentional steps to manifest my dream into reality.
3. What was the vision behind it?
I’m passionate about understanding what makes a business unique, that is, how they approach problem-solving with one-of-a-kind products and services.
Also, I understand that upcoming business can’t risk blending in when the market has similar products and services vying for their customers’ attention.
4. Describe the services that you offer to your customers and in what way are they unique?
Design Journal, helps businesses build captivating brands with Visual Design, Web Design, Social Media Marketing, and Packing/Label Design.
When I founded Design Journal, I realized that creating a remarkable brand goes beyond a beautiful logo or a trendy color palette.
To be the go-to choice, businesses must double down to create an aligned brand and take strategic steps to get visible, educate their customers, and sell.
So my team and I first help businesses clarify their foundations and messaging before moving on to design the brand identity and social media strategy.
Essentially, our goal is to create a strategy that matches our client’s specific goals, instead of employing cookie-cutter processes and tactics that are mostly ineffective.
That’s why at Design Journal Co. we hold on to these values every day:
- Creative decision-making – To express the unique essence of each business visually and strategically
- Do it with passion – Because we’re invested in our clients’ success
- Always evolving – To stay ahead of the curve and approach our work as experts
5. What difficulties have you faced or you are facing?
Not everyone understands the value of unique aesthetics for their brand or the importance of valuable content for visibility and growth.
I know that the easiest thing to do when you’re starting out is to adopt trends to get the needle moving, however, there comes a time when you need to sit down and think what sets your brand apart.
And that’s what I’ve been doing consistently – educating my audience about the importance of a unique brand and an aligned content strategy.
So far, it took 3 years for people around me to sit up and take notice about the importance of building a brand at the outset.
6. How do you handle the pressure and manage stress?
Typically, I take a break for a day or two to rejuvenate my mind. I’m a firm believer in making space for rest in our lives, especially when you’re scaling a business. Burn out is counterproductive.
7. How do you market your business?
I’m all about leveraging the power of social media to market businesses as there’s so much opportunity and creativity to explore. That’s why I market Design Journal on social media and help my clients do the same.
8. How many hours a day do you work on average & can you describe/outline your typical day?
Right now I don’t have fixed working hours and tend to go with my creative flow. However, I’m working on creating a concrete routine so I can chalk out defined spaces for work and life.
9. In your opinion what are the keys to success?
We’re all part of an evolving business landscape where things often change rapidly. So one of the best ways to stay current and relevant is to keep learning.
Another important value to adopt is being consistent in whatever you do – things take time to shape up, and they only shape up if you keep at it.
10. What advice would you give to someone starting out as an aspiring entrepreneur?
The first year’s the hardest. You’ll take some time to find your feet, your rhythm, of how you want to do business.
However, if you want to fast track this, make sure you clarify your vision, focus on building a brand, and reach out to a mentor if you’re feeling stuck.
Learn more about this vibrant design and social media agency and check out their latest projects here.
Social Media handles –
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designjournal.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedesignjournalco
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