I love how this logo turned out! Agnes of Artichoke Rose wanted a logo design that was whimsical with a vintage touch. Agnes chose to work with Gretchen to create the custom illustration and I paired that with the fun script font to create the final result.

I really enjoyed creating this logo and website! Deborah was great to work with and her modern design taste was fun to design for. She wanted a clean design that had plenty of white space. We used CKGold for her cart and website management system.

Project Details:

• Premium Logo Design
• Ecommerce website design powered by CKGold
• Integrated WordPress Blog
• Website maintained by client
• Print Design: Business Card, Postcard, and Letterhead

Learn more about Deborah and Bumbini Cloth Diaper Company — read her interview below!

Who is Bumbini?
Bumbini is an online store for parents who are interested in cloth diapering their family in fun, modern, easy to use, environmentally conscious products.

What do you sell?
We sell a wonderful selection of cloth diapers and covers, plus all the accessories to go with them.   We are really concerned to offer a range of products that meet all parents’ needs.  We are especially motivated to provide organic and natural fiber options.

Why did you decide to start a business?
I used cloth diapers with my son and was so impressed by how easy and economical they were.  So few of my friends and family were cloth diapering, and most just hadn’t thought about it.  I felt that if I was to offer great products at good prices, have a user-friendly website, and offer workshops and education on cloth diapering that I could encourage parents to take that step.

How did you get started?
To start with I went to some small business seminars that explained the basics, such as how to register a business, whether or not to incorporate, and some basic accounting.  As a total novice, with no business background, these were invaluable.  From there it was a case of getting registered, finding the right person to build the website (and Cicily was definitely that person!), and teaming up with great suppliers.

What would you have done differently in the beginning?
I wish I had invested in some accounting software (e.g. Quickbooks) right from day one! As mundane as the accounting is to deal with, staying on top of the bookkeeping will save you many headaches down the road.  I created a maze of Excel spreadsheets that were really difficult to maintain and ate up so much time.  When I told an accountant that was the system I was using he asked if I could imagine a million dollar company operating off spreadsheets, and of course the answer is no.  So no matter how small your business I would advise to think like the big enterprises right from the start and keep your books professional and up to date.

What advice would you offer to someone just getting started?
Don’t be put off by having a small budget to start with.  I really believe that it is those businesses that grow organically and take time to expand that will stand the test of time.  When you are starting a company it is tempting to throw endless amounts of money at it to get it just right before opening day, but starting off with a large debt load will add so much more stress onto your already hectic life.  Do a great job with what you have and grow it from there.

Tonya from Kotori Photo Jewelry came to me needing a custom website that would have a wholesale login area and a photo upload feature. We used Shoppe Pro for the website management/cart system and custom coded a nifty file upload feature. The file upload feature allows her wholesale clients to easily upload photos within the product ordering page. I really enjoyed working with Tonya and am very pleased with how her website turned out!

Project Details:

• Client provided logo
• Ecommerce website design powered by Shoppe Pro
• Matching self-hosted WordPress blog
• Custom wholesale form
• File upload modification
• Website maintained by client

Learn more about Tonya and Kotori Photo Jewelry — read her interview below!

Who is Kotori?
Kotori is a family run company that creates custom photo jewelry pieces for professional photographers.

What do you sell?
We take photographers’ images and set them in sterling silver. We then cover them with a clear, waterproof, UV-resistant coating. All of our jewelry is completely hand made and customized to client preference, from the chains to the hand stamped charms. Each piece is considered an heirloom, to be passed down to the next generation.

Why did you decide to start a business?
I’ve always loved creating things – even as a girl I was always making something. If you can name a craft or art, I’ve probably done it, from making stain glass to throwing pottery to, well, just about anything. The transition to actually selling my work came pretty naturally.

How did you get started?
When I started making jewelry I found that it was a way for me to do something outside of my normal mommying. I wanted a way to have images of my kids with me wherever I went. I didn’t like the idea of traditional lockets because then the image is hidden. I loved the challenge of figuring out exactly how to make the pieces work.

I started wearing my jewelry, and before I knew it other people were asking me to make them pieces. Suddenly the business began.

I started selling retail, but after being endorsed by a few photographers, the word quickly spread through their community about my pieces. I found that many professional photographers were searching for a unique add-on to offer their clients.

What would you have done differently in the beginning?
While I spent a lot of time researching and experimenting with the jewelry, I would have spent a little more time figuring out some of the other aspects of the business, like how to photograph your products or how to set up a dynamic Facebook page. Wow, there is so much on the fly research you end up doing AFTER you think you are ready to launch!

What advice would you offer to someone just getting started?
Marketing, marketing, marketing! I am lucky enough to be married to my husband, who owns his own marketing consulting company. His input has been invaluable! I think too many people think they can do their own advertising work but it’s not just how your ads look it’s also about hitting a certain demographic, understanding your competition and staying consistent with your brand message. A good marketing company helps guide you through all of that. It makes your business really look polished and professional.

I couldn’t have asked for a better brother. He was a kind, loving, honorable man and will be missed dearly by our family and all those that he touched with his gentle spirit. We have faith that he is in Heaven and one day we will all be together again.

Elijah served an extended tour in Iraq before serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was scheduled to come home in January on leave and then come home for good in May when his tour ended. He leaves behind a wife and 1 1/2 year old daughter.

Please pray for our family during this unimaginably difficult time. The outpouring of love and support from the military and community is a blessing and really shows us how many people Elijah touched in his short life.

A local news story about my brother and his sacrifice for our country: Soldier from Oregon killed in Afghanistan

To grandma’s house we go! This Thanksgiving we’ll be taking a 3 hour journey over lovely Mount Hood to visit the in-laws in Central Oregon. I’m looking forward to the change of scenery and not having access to my email, which forces me to finally take some time off! I will be returning to my normal work schedule on Monday, November 30th. I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Who is Divine Living Interiors?
DLI is a fresh, fun and innovative interior design firm that shows that great design is obtainable. You should surround yourself with beautiful things, and I believe you should start with your home.

What service do you provide?
DLI provides color consultations, space planning, one room designs or entire home projects, renovations and new construction material selections, custom window treatments and bedding designs… and Holiday Decorating.

Why did you decide to start a business?
I started my business because I LOVE every aspect of design and I wanted to share my passion with people. I saw a need for a design company in my area that made design approachable and livable.

How did you get started?
I was constantly changing my home because I wanted a beautiful place for me and family. I had changed my family room color 3 times in 1 1/2 years! So, I decided that before I could touch another gallon of paint, I had to figure this whole design thing out. I researched everything I could about color, space planning, fabrics… pretty much anything and everything design related. I decided that I just needed to go to school and get a degree in design, so that’s what I did!

What would you have done differently in the beginning?
I might have had someone partner with me, because I just get too excited when I pick out new items for clients! It would be great to have someone to share design with that loves it like me… besides my husband.

What advice would you offer to someone just getting started?
My advice would be to make a list of your goals and what your company means to you and never deviate… it’s easy to get off track when you have a paying client, but remember why you started your business and stick too it!

Post courtesy of Nicole, Owner of Divine Living Interiors

If you’d like a custom illustrated logo design, be sure to view my logo packages for more details.

Who is Designer Cloth Diapers?

Designer Cloth Diapers is a cloth diaper store where you find fun, affordable and stylish options for modern cloth diapering. Customers are encouraged to ask questions. We want our customers to be successful.

What do you sell?

We sell many of the top cloth diaper brands and accessories in designer prints. We are always looking for products that make cloth diapering convenient and fun while still being affordable.

Why did you decide to start a business?

Designer Cloth Diapers started with a desire to have a cloth diaper store that was different from the rest. We wanted cloth diapering families to find all the great prints all in one place. Babies grow up so fast, why not enjoy it with fun diapering and accessory choices!

How did you get started?

We started with our own brand “Komfy Kidz” and added some of our favorites. After cloth diapering 3 kids and soon to be 4, we have found things that we think make it a convenient system. We hope to share these products with our customers.

What would you have done differently in the beginning?

There may be things I would do differently, but mostly it has been a learning experience and I wouldn’t have learned so much without experiencing it.

What advice would you offer to someone just getting started?

Research your products, and your competition.. Be confident in your product or store and let others know about it. Get the word out locally as well as online. Make a plan, work hard and be patient. Find a great web designer like Cicily and you will be many steps closer to a successful business!

Post courtesy of Tonya Taylor, Owner of Designer Cloth Diapers