Check out Smith’s Creative Co, Bringing All Of Your Creative Ideas To Life
The DMV Daily had the pleasure of speaking with Corey Smith, founder of Smith’s Creative Co, a creative agency with affordable solutions for all your creative needs. Smith’s goal is
The DMV Daily had the pleasure of speaking with Corey Smith, founder of Smith’s Creative Co, a creative agency with affordable solutions for all your creative needs. Smith’s goal is to make the life of artist and producers easier by creating pre-made templates so they can market their music and have an array of single artwork that is fully editable for quick releases. The types of templates created are YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, & Facebook. Learn more about Corey & Smith’s Creative Co.
Q: How did the idea for your business come about?
Corey: It really wasn’t an idea, I just started posting my artwork on Twitter and people started hitting me up for designs so I thought why not try to make this bigger.
Q: What products/services does your business offer?
Corey: We offer design and marketing services. From the cover art to websites we do it all.
Q: What was your key driving force to become a graphic designer?
Corey: It’s crazy because I didn’t want to become a graphic designer, I wanted to be a physical therapist but the classes I was taking were too much at the time. So since I was already good at art my Mom suggested doing graphic design instead. Shout out Ma Dukes!
Q: How did you come up with the name of your company?
Corey: I wanted the family name to live through the company like a Jordan brand or a Madden.
Q: How did you raise funding for your venture?
Corey: Working various jobs, security, UPS, Amazon you name it I’ve been employed there.
Q: How do you build a successful customer base?
Corey: Staying consistent, networking, and just putting out good work.
Q: How do you market your business, and which tactics have been most successful?
Corey: For us, word of mouth has been the best form of marketing. Clients already come in knowing what to expect and have confidence in our service because a reliable source had told them about us.
Q: How many hours a day do you work on average?
Corey: It varies, some days 2 and some days 10. It all depends on the workload and tasks at hand.
Q: Can you describe/outline your typical day?
Corey: A typical day always starts with an hour of workout and a shower. Breakfast from Chick-Fil-A is MANDATORY. After that, I read a chapter out of a book that I’m reading. Right now I’m reading “The Wealthy Gardner” by John Soforic. After a few chapters, I check my email for client work. Lunch comes around I may get a salad and a turkey chili from Panera bread (highly recommend). Finish the day designing and my doing my second workout of the day before bed.
Q: How’s being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Corey: It’s tough balancing a family social life while keeping up with various clients throughout the weeks. A lot of times you miss the family events but they understand it’s a part of the job.
Q: What motivates you?
Corey: Seeing the reactions of our clients when the final design is sent back. It’s a feeling like no other.
Q: How do you generate new ideas?
Corey: By working out or just looking on Pinterest or Instagram.
Q: What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Corey: My biggest fear is being 60+ having to get a job at Walmart or something.
Q: What are your ideals?
Corey: God and my Dad
Q: How do you define success?
Corey: Success to me is being financially comfortable. Food on the table to feed my family, a roof over my head, and clothes on my back.
Q: Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Corey: No, because if there was, everybody would be a successful entrepreneur.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Corey: Being able to build from the ground up and watching the business grow.
Q: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Corey: For me being from the DMV area and a music lover. Working with the local artist and creating artwork for their music to be pushed across the country means a lot to me.
