Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Mays.
Hi Stephanie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started a gospel singing group with my brothers and sister called Amayz and realized that there were some things that we needed in order to promote the group, such as a website and other digital advertisement. I took it upon myself to begin to learn about web development and digital marketing and really took an interest in graphic and web design. That interest grew and led me to pursue a degree in Web Design and Development, as I realized that this could become a career for me. I increased my knowledge through schooling, studies on my own and taking on projects for friends and family. I worked as a freelancer for several years, taking on projects for extra money. During this time, I began getting the feeling of doing business for myself and learning what type of clients I was willing to do business with and which I was not.
Once I built up the enough confidence, I took the leap of faith and went full-time as a web strategy consultant and website designer / developer and started my company S. Mays Designs LLC. in 2018.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Sometimes I wish that I could say that it was a smooth road along the way, but I know that I would not have grown to the person I am today without the challenges. The biggest challenge that I have had to face was the lack of confidence and the “imposter” syndrome. There were times that I felt like I didn’t have enough knowledge and experience and would short-change myself. There were other times when customers would tell me that my prices were too high or it wasn’t worth it; even though I was charging below the average rate. This would also make me feel the need to once again short-change myself, reduce my prices and take on large projects that were not worth my time and not worth the money. Feeling like this was “the way” it had to be done really discouraged me.
I learned that the customers I had initially encountered, just weren’t “my customers”. I had to find my niche and discover those who valued what I had to offer.
We’ve been impressed with S. Mays Designs, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My company is S. Mays Design LLC. I work with faith-based entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations, helping them to develop strategy and customer-centered brands and website designs that position them to become leading competitors in their industry and dominate for the Kingdom. I chose to cater to non-profits because of my love for services and helping others and I chose “faith-prenuers” because I saw the need of understanding the quality it takes to compete with the leading brands that are not founded on faith or Christian values.
I am the CEO and Founder of S. Mays Designs LLC. and I am a brand and web strategy consultant and designer. In addition to website development and brand consultancy, I also work with my clients on copywriting and content creation for digital marketing to ensure that all aspects in relation to marketing their brand is consistent with their brand and messaging.
The major thing that sets me apart from others is my passion to see others win. It is not all about making money, at the end of the day, if I have helped to position someone closer to their goals and what God has called them to do through the business that they established, then I have done my job. A few ways that I am able to do this is by sharing my experience and expertise through my blog, tips and encouragement on social media, email newsletters and my Web Wednesday videos. I upload new Web Wednesday videos every first and third Wednesday of the month and share tips and incites on how entrepreneurs can leverage their websites and create a better online experience for their customers. This is what I am most proud of brand-wise.
I want readers to know that I am not the average web designer, where you fill out a brief form and I create a website from a basic template. My process is define, align and then design. Nowadays, it is not enough to just create a cookie-cutter site. There needs to be a strategy in relation to your goals, the customers that you are servicing and how your website will be the tool that produces real results. It is not enough for a website to just be an online brochure, it needs to be a solution that increases revenue, efficiency and brand awareness.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I like to tell every entrepreneur not to focus strictly on making money and pushing the sale. Find out what those you are servicing truly need and how you can offer or be the solution that they seek. You will make a bigger impact and leave a great impression; making you the most obvious choice over any competitor.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.smaysdesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smaysdesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmaysDesigns/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smaysdesigns/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/smaysdesigns
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl7DyZN2JxuVOLxl1ObwF4g
