Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Bryant.
Hi Crystal, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started while I was in high school. I had my school in my district then I had the career academy that all three high schools in the district went to. I took Healthcare, Fashion Marketing and then a history class that would change each year. I thought I wanted my career to be in healthcare because that’s what everyone was telling me that’s what I should do and once I realized that that’s not what I wanted to do in MY life, it was too late to change my classes. Fashion Marketing helped me realize that Graphic Design is my passion because my teacher had us doing a different project each week that we had to put our own touch of design to then we’ll present it to the class and I fell in love putting the elements together to create a design that I did on my own.
After graduation, it was rough for me because I had different people in my ear telling me what I should be doing vs them asking me what I wanted to do. Until one day, I had a local resident in my city who was running for office in my county call me and she wanted me to do her graphics for her campaign that gave me the chance to practice my craft. I kept practicing! I didn’t give up. I then put a name to my brand Dip of Graphics. I created me a logo and an online portfolio to display my work so future clients can see what I’ve done. I joined Facebook groups and I would charge $2-$6 for a flyer design just so I can get my name out there and it worked! My clientele expanded. I started with one client in 2019 to over 100 clients in 2021 that I’ve worked with.
I wanted my brand to be the place where small business owners, content creators, really anyone can come and get digital branding materials for an affordable price because it’s already pricy to buy everything else you need to start a business and that’s exactly what I’m doing now!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It most definitely has not been a smooth road and that’s okay because without those bumps, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Some of the struggles along the way was lack of support. I had to learn for myself that not everyone wants to see you win. I would get little to no likes or shares on the post I made related to my business and it’s still like this. I have those handful of people who do though and I appreciate them so much. I’m talking about people I know but people I’ve never met in person they’re always sharing my post and cheering me on. I remember when I saw a family member share someone else’s business on their social media and they had never shared or liked anything of mine and I was the one congratulating this person and being there when needed. I can’t lie it did hurt me but I quickly got myself together because I have goals to reach and I can’t let stuff like that slow me down.
I was telling myself I needed to work 24/7 to get where I needed so that’s exactly what I did it became too much I got overwhelmed and I had to set up some boundaries because I started getting calls late at night trying to discuss work but that was my fault because I didn’t establish that boundary in the beginning. Now I have office hours so that nobody’s calling anyone at 9 o’clock at night and I can have time to gather my thoughts without overworking myself. I’m learning everything as I go.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I do graphic design. I take my client’s vision and bring them to life! I do everything from flyers and business card designs to websites and social media content.
I’m most proud of the growth of my work and myself.
What sets me apart from others is the relationship I build with my clients. I don’t just do the work we work together. I make sure I build that trust so we both can have a good experience now and in the future. I treat each business I work with as if it was my own.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My mother who is always sharing and liking my post. If I get one reaction on a post, I know that my mom is that one. My sister who is always helping come up with marketing ideas. My fiancé who listens to me when I come up with an idea or simply need to vent. Anyone who does support my business they know who they are. My business friends that I met along the way who always listen to me and give me advice when needed. My clients who ride for me! One thing for sure, my clients have my back through thick and thin. They go hard for me and I go hardback.
Contact Info:
- Email: Dipofgraphics@gmail.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/dipofgraphicsllc
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dipofgraphics
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/dipofgraphics/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/dipofgraphics
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC5hEUPSKzlgijxLBCYFpFNQ
