Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray Stiles, Jr.
Hi Ray, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey has had many twists and turns, but my creative journey started while I lived in a small town in North Georgia. While in college, I worked at the local area Chamber of Commerce doing small office ‘stuff.’ Over time, the President of the Chamber noticed my creative side and asked me to create a logo for an upcoming event. I was so excited that she had asked and I jumped at the opportunity. She didn’t know it at the time- but with that simple logo, she sparked a fire in my mind that started this wonderful journey. I remember it well; meeting with the Board of Directors to discuss the look, how she allowed me to take reigns and ‘own’ the room (at a young 20 years old), and a few weeks later, the launch of the logo for the event. Looking back, I appreciated that challenge more than she will ever know. That logo turned into a friendship that I still hold close. Without her faith in me that day- I truly would have never started on this journey that has brought me to where I am today. That challenge, along with a handful of other amazing mentors and even bigger challenges, has had a hand in helping me grow into the person I am today. To ask how I started and got here today? Relationships and the importance of integrity go a long way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has not been easy, but I would not change a thing. In the first few years of starting a business, you are met with a ton of challenges and things they did not teach you in art school. Rejection, underselling yourself, overselling yourself, do I have the ‘right skills?’ Throw in the challenge of being creative 100% of the time coupled with running a full-time business, it can become overwhelming pretty quick. I received some sage advice once, “sometimes you need to take yourself out of the game – take a broader look at what’s going on and then make your next move.” Meaning when you are in the thick of it and it becomes too much, take a breath, and regroup. It’s helped me out of many challenging situations.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Graphic Designer by trade but fell into the Digital Marketing world a few years ago. I feel being a formally trained Graphic Designer, mixed with years of digital marketing offers the experience necessary to take your brand ideas a step further. My team and I work with several of Atlanta’s Top Real Estate Agents, several local Non-Profits, Attorneys, and a good number of artists and sculptors, and bakers. Our portfolio is diverse, and we thrive on helping small business gain traction in the “wild west” of the digital marketing world. We built Stiles & Company around one main principle; “Relationships First” and are proud to call our clients our friends. Without the developed trust of your client and without proven results- you are in a race to zero.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I am a webinar junkie! I am one of the first ones out here to sign up for anything educational and I’m always up for learning something new. Anything from the latest and greatest tips and tricks from Adobe Creative Suite or, non-work-related, how to make the best homemade bread. (yes, I taught myself how to make homemade bread!) There is so much information at our fingertips these days- it makes it so much easier!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thestilesco.com
- Instagram: @stilesandcompany
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/stilesandco
