We were lucky to catch up with Marra Avery-Drayton recently and have shared our conversation below.
Marra, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
As a small business owner, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap. I’ve found that the toughest critic is often myself. What’s helped me navigate this is focusing on what makes me unique—whether that’s a special talent, my passions, or experiences that shaped who I am. It’s crucial to building connections and relatability in a market where many of us offer similar products or services.
When rebranding small businesses, I make a point to highlight their unique qualities against competitors. Imposter syndrome is something we all face, but I’ve come to see it as a conduit for growth. Embracing what makes us different is key. Building a supportive community around your business, engaging with your audience, and inviting feedback not only provides encouragement during tough times but also reinforces the value you bring to the table. Ultimately, it’s about believing in yourself, staying authentic, and letting your community appreciate the passionate person you are.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Hey there! I’m a Strategic Brand Designer specializing in empowering women-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs. My mission is all about helping others build credibility, draw in a fresh audience, and boost sales.
What sets me apart is my focus on modern and bold logo, brand, and web design. I’m known for diving deep into strategic approaches for every design element. Every color, illustration, font—each detail is chosen to directly pull in the ideal audience, boost traffic, and ramp up sales.
I steer clear of fleeting trends. My focus is all about applying the most effective methods to give your brand a credibility boost and create a visual identity that stands out among industry leaders. It’s not just about crafting a brand; it’s about building a personality that audiences can connect with and grow alongside with.
My favorite part of my job? Seeing my clients glow with pride when they see their new brand. I’ve crafted a process that not only develops a visual brand but also a strategy that instills confidence. Developing your brand is a fun journey, an eye-opener to the endless possibilities of what your brand can be.
What makes this career truly special is the lifelong friendships and connections I’ve built with each client. My thorough process goes beyond products and services—it lets them see the purpose and value their brand brings, fostering a personal connection to its growth.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my journey, three qualities that played a pivotal role were strategic thinking, maintaining a positive outlook, and a commitment to building lasting connections. Strategic thinking has allowed me to be realistic rather than driven by emotion. It can be easy to take things like follows and likes on social media to heart when sharing something as vulnerable as your business. However, as any business owner will tell you, there are phases you will come across, ebbs and flows in owning a business, and it’s crucial to focus on your strategy and set emotions aside. This brings me to maintaining a positive outlook. It’s important not only to focus on the losses but also to celebrate wins, no matter how small. These small wins are a part of your success and celebrating them allows you to find happiness on the darkest days and recognize your growth. Lastly, building lasting connections has been the backbone of my success. My largest collection of leads comes from word-of-mouth referrals from businesses I worked with years ago. This is because I maintain a positive relationship and genuinely care for each client long after the invoices have been paid and the projects have been completed.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When my business gets a bit too overwhelming, I like to go back to the basics. What got me pumped to start this business in the first place? I enjoy revisiting the basics and keeping my learning fresh. It not only boosts my confidence but brings back that spark from when I first kicked off. Taking a breather is key when things get intense; it helps me remember why I started this adventure in the first place!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.zenithcreativeco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenithcreativeco_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zenithcreativeco/
Image Credits
Headshot by Chris Penree
