Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Pruitt.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Wendy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Even before college, I knew advertising was right for me, but after getting my degree, I realized I wasn’t going to get into the creative department without a portfolio of work. I decided to attend the Creative Circus in Atlanta for Art Direction to get the book I wanted.
While here, I met my (now) husband and instead of following the jobs to NYC, Chicago or LA, I found a small agency in Atlanta. It was a perfect fit – I could be creative in all sorts of different ways – print, tv, even talent management. Unfortunately they went out of business… while I was six months pregnant.
After that, I took the first job I could get: Jr. Designer at a direct mail agency. In five years, I was managing a team of seven, but it wasn’t the right place for me. I loved freelancing and helping small business clients, so I made the decision to build my own company and do it my way.
That was two years ago, and I think, I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I love helping small business clients find their authentic brand style and helping them develop their marketing materials.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
After years in a male-dominated industry, I felt inadequate. I didn’t want the culture of a “young” company; I wanted to see my family on Friday nights not go out to happy hour. In my exit interview, I was told I wasn’t in the same “bucket” as my (male) creative peers.
It’s really scary to leave a consistent paycheck when you’re not sure the business will be there — but I had a great support system in my friends and family. They believed in me more than I think I believed in myself!
Wendy Pruitt Creates – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
At my core, I’m a doer. It’s what I was trained to do as an Art Director — come up with a cool idea and figure out how to make it happen.
I help small businesses create their brand identity and develop their marketing materials. Together we produce their logo and branding, then, I execute any items they need to help their business grow: business cards, letterhead, social media assets, brochures, websites and more.
One of the most important things to me is that design and branding work for my clients. It often has very little to do with what *I* like; it’s about them and their brand. If they don’t need printed letterhead, we don’t do it.
It’s also really important to me that small business clients are armed with all the assets they need – I make it a point to provide a complete logo library including files for signage and social media. I try to anticipate all the ways they will need to use their logo and provide those files to them.
I am really proud that my clients think I am easy to work with. I tell them why I’ve made design decisions, but then I make it a point to listen to what they think of the work. I don’t take their feedback personally, and I encourage them to tell me both what they like and what they DON’T like.
I love when my clients are thrilled with the work I create for them and they are so excited to share it with *their* clients!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is happy clients and great work. I am thrilled when my clients love the end result and it works, I am proud to show off.
Success for me also means that I can see my family on my own terms and still make a living.
Contact Info:
- Website: wendypruittcreates.com
- Email: hello@wendypruittcreates.com
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wendypruittcreates
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