We’re looking forward to introducing you to Makena Delaney. Check out our conversation below.
Makena, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Of course! As business owners, we’re often encouraged to be quick decision-makers, but I’m actually a bit different; I tend to think about things…forever. Now, that’s not always a great trait. For example, I still drive a really old car because I just can’t decide which new car I’d love more, and my MacBook is a few models behind because I’m always waiting for the latest and greatest (and then I sometimes forget to upgrade altogether).
But this cautious approach has served me surprisingly well in business, especially when investing in coaching programs or new systems. Usually, when I’ve made snap decisions, I’ve ended up regretting them. So, over time, I’ve learned to pause and reflect before jumping in – no matter how persuasive a salesperson might be.
Recently, I was on multiple sales calls for coaching programs designed to boost lead generation. A common question they asked was, “If you don’t do something different soon, how long can your business survive? What’s going to happen?” Initially, that question can create a sense of urgency and panic, but the reality is this: I’m a business owner – I’ll figure it out. Allowing myself the space to thoughtfully answer that question, rather than reacting on impulse, actually gave me more confidence. It reminded me that part of entrepreneurship is trusting yourself to navigate challenges as they come.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Makena, the founder and creative director of Makena Creative, a brand and website design studio based just outside Nashville, Tennessee. My team and I specialize in crafting beautiful, strategic brands and websites tailored specifically for small businesses, solopreneurs, and startups. One thing I love most about my work is helping entrepreneurs elevate their digital presence so their businesses can genuinely stand out and connect with their dream clients.
An exciting milestone we recently reached is launching our brand-new template shop! This has been a passion project in the making for a couple of years, and I’m thrilled to say it finally came together this month. Our templates make professional design accessible to business owners who aren’t quite ready for fully custom branding or web design, but still want to make an impressive impact online. Each template is thoughtfully designed by our team to be both stunning and strategic, ensuring your brand and website don’t just look good – they actually work to help your business grow.
It’s been incredibly rewarding to see this vision finally become a reality, and we’re so excited to support even more business owners on their journey to building brands and websites they’re truly proud of!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Well, for me it was actually during my teenage years – I firmly believed I was inherently shy, and that was just who I was. I accepted the idea that I couldn’t be outgoing or easily talk to people, much less be popular or comfortable in social situations. It felt like something I was stuck with, even though deep down I was confident in my intelligence, quirks, and unique personality.
But as I approached the end of high school and began exploring different roles – first through a sales job doing cold calls as an independent insurance agent, and later through working in retail cosmetics – I discovered that shyness wasn’t a fixed part of who I was. These roles pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me overcome that shyness.
And here’s the important part: overcoming shyness didn’t mean I changed myself into someone else. Instead, it meant I evolved and grew as a person. I think sometimes we confuse changing with losing ourselves, but really, it’s all about evolving, adapting, and becoming more of who we truly are over time.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Honestly, not with Makena Creative. This business has always felt deeply aligned with who I am and what I love doing. Of course, entrepreneurship isn’t always smooth sailing – there have definitely been tough moments – but never to the point of feeling ready to quit.
However, I can’t say that’s always been true for other ventures I’ve pursued in the past. Those experiences taught me what it feels like when something isn’t a true fit. They helped me recognize the signs of misalignment, and ultimately guided me toward what I’m doing today. It turns out, when you build a business around your passion and purpose, even the hardest moments feel worth pushing through.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I’m not sure if “very few” people agree, but something I often notice is how strongly many people cling to the idea that authenticity means being exactly the same in every situation, all the time. But in my experience, especially as a business owner, that’s not necessarily true.
I believe we all have multiple versions of ourselves – and that’s perfectly okay. You can still be authentic while adapting who you are in different scenarios to help your business thrive. For example, some days, when I’m not out at networking events, I naturally lean toward being quieter and more reserved. On other days, when it’s important for me to connect with new people or represent my brand, I intentionally dial up that outgoing side of my personality.
That doesn’t mean I’m being fake; it means I’m using a skill I’ve developed to show up as the best version of myself for that moment. It’s a learned skill – one that takes practice and intention. In fact, embracing the idea of “fake it till you make it” can genuinely lead to growth. By practicing the traits or behaviors you want to embody, eventually you truly become that person. And that’s not inauthentic – it’s personal evolution at its best.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. Praise and recognition are wonderful – they definitely provide motivation and encouragement – but at the end of the day, what truly drives me is my own passion for what I do. I’m genuinely committed to doing great work, not just because someone might notice, but because I care deeply about the quality of what I create and the impact it has on my clients.
In business, and life really, external validation can’t always be the driving force. It’s about knowing internally that I gave something my best effort and feeling proud of that. So yes, even if no one praised me, I’d still keep showing up, giving my best, and staying true to the standards I’ve set for myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.makenadelaney.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makena_delaney/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makena-delaney-ab74234b
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makenadelaney/
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