A few months ago I started writing a blog post about clearly defining my dream client. I was finishing up the last of my projects under the emmarie Designs business model and was ready to embark on my newness in full force.
One of these was a vow to never work with men again.
You see, at this point in my career I have launched almost 100 websites. I have worked with almost 200 clients. These are one-on-one relationships with creative (and sometimes not-so-creative) entrepreneurs, and I've developed a type.
For me, my favorite projects come from working with clients who are 1) women, 2) have established creative businesses, and 3) are ready to commit their time and their trust to me and their project.
But, just like I've always believed that my romantic type was dark haired musicians (I ended up with a strawberry-blonde man with no hope for a beat), I found my dream client in a not-so expected place.
He was a man.
This project with Bob, the president of the 78-year old family-run business American Bronzing Company (the original baby shoe bronzers, folks), came my way via my pal Madalyn. And, because of my dream client profile I really almost didn't take the job.
But, I went with my gut, and I gave the gender another shot. And working with Bob was wonderful.
The American Bronzing project was a complete image and web presence overhaul. I worked with Bob to rebrand the business his grandmother founded. I designed and developed a new website for his products, and Madalyn is working to style his imagery and market the new American Bronzing Company.
For the rebrand, we knew that we wanted to take the company back to it's family roots. A few things popped out at us: family, traditions, preserving. These ideas are the core of the business's past successes, and will be at the core of their continued growth. We made sure the new branding image reflected this, and we carried it over to their image styling as well.
For the new website, we upgraded their system - which was a simple site with Paypal buy now buttons, requiring customers who wanted to purchase more than one item to check out separately for each item - to Adobe Business Catalyst, where all products are displayed consistently and the customer experience is much improved.
As much as I loved rebranding and growing this company's online presence, even the coolest projects are painful if the client behind it isn't amazing. And Bob was amazing. From Bob:
Dear Emily,
Just a quick note to thank you for the work you’ve done on creating and fine-tuning my new website. The work you’ve done is incredible…far beyond my expectations! As we’ve discussed, I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to what appears online…and with all my tweaks, you implemented them without any complaints at all!
I also appreciate the times you told me, “let’s not do this” and gave me a good reason…and another option. Your expertise and professionalism gave me tremendous confidence that I had made a fine choice in working with you!
Emily, thanks again for all your help! Oh…one other thing…our order count is UP substantially since we switched to the new site.
Up. Up! This is the kind of news that makes my heart sing.
All it takes is a great product, a commitment, and a desire to succeed. After 78 years, American Bronzing – with Bob at the helm - has still got it.
Now I'm antsy for Lily to grow out of her ballet slippers, because those babies are going to get bronzed. And I'm definitely updated my dream client profile. Check out American Bronzing >>
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