We were lucky to catch up with William Maitre recently and have shared our conversation below.
William, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience? That’s definitely from my past, my childhood in Haiti was great until we had to suddenly move, this was due to unstability that was going on in the country. Picture this, one day you are at home everything is great. Then suddenly, you are told we have to pack and leave. You don’t know what is going on, but you have to leave everything behind. House, car, furiniture etc, everything left behind like the earth was ending and you had to flee to the moon. Suddenly you’re in the States, the cultural shock, and the countless surprises life tossed at me at that moment and beyond. As a kid, I didn’t fully grasp what was happening, but I did understand we had to start over, and it wasn’t easy. We slept at one time on a basement floor. The basement was not refinished, so it was just your concrete floor and boiler etc down there. There was roaches on the ground, it was cold, and damp. However, that was the only place we had to sleep. Fast forward and I am getting held at knife-point when I was 12, my mother couldn’t speak English and my sister was only 7, therefore it was up to me attempt to reason with the assailant; luckily someone saw and said they were calling the police, this made the person run – that’ll toughen you up for sure. Add my time in the Marines and the Army to the mix, deploying on short notice, and you’ve got a solid resilience recipe.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
As a Brand Strategist and AI Solutions Expert, I dedicate my efforts to helping early-stage entrepreneurs and side hustlers to define their brand strategically, design compelling websites, and leverage the transformative power of AI automation for accelerated success. What’s thrilling and unique about what I do is that it combines my passion for empathy-based brand building with data-driven AI solutions. This approach allows me to work at the intersection of human connection and technological innovation, helping businesses tell their stories more effectively, connect with their target audience on a deeper level, and thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace. It is a weird approach to grasp at first, however my background; in branding, strategy, data analyst, software development, and website design allows me to combine these disciplines in a way that is new and innovative. It is also allows me to bring high level tools to those who otherwise couldn’t afford such services on their own let alone together.
At the core of my philosophy is the understanding that a brand is more than just a logo or a tagline. It’s a holistic entity that reflects the personality, values, and promise of a business. I believe in crafting brand strategies that are authentic, consistent, and customer-centric, creating strong brand relationships built on trust and mutual value. At the same time, I understand that in today’s digital age, it’s vital for businesses to embrace the potential of AI. That’s why I also focus on showing side hustlers and entrepreneurs how AI can enhance their operations, from streamlining processes to personalizing customer experiences and deriving actionable insights from data.
I am the founder of Vederemar, a Design and AI Automation Agency, an end-to-end solutions agency that supports side hustlers and early-stage entrepreneurs from brand conception, through website design, to AI automation. Our approach is rooted in empathy and backed by data, which enables us to create unique solutions tailored to each client’s needs and goals.
Excitingly, I have a book launching in August, “Brand Mastery Blueprint: Unleashing Entrepreneurial Success with AI-Powered Storytelling and Marketing Strategy.” This comprehensive guide aims to equip entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge to build successful businesses through strategic branding, compelling storytelling, and AI-enhanced marketing techniques. The book is a culmination of my experiences and learnings, offering practical techniques, strategies, and real-life examples to inspire and guide entrepreneurs on their journey to success. An online course based on this book will follow later this year.
Overall, my mission is to empower side hustlers and businesses with the tools and strategies they need to shine brightly in their respective markets and achieve lasting success at an affordable price. I want to make sure that price is not a barrier to entry for anyone looking to start a business in order to change their station in life. Whether it’s through my agency or my upcoming book, I am committed to helping side hustlers and entrepreneurs realize their visions and dreams.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my journey, the three most impactful qualities that have shaped my experiences are adaptability, empathetic communication, and technological savvy.
1. Adaptability: The ability to adapt to new situations, be it moving from Haiti to America, adjusting to life back in Haiti, re-establishing in the States, or facing unexpected challenges during my time in the Marine Corps, has been crucial. Change is the only constant in life and business, and the ability to embrace it rather than resist it has often been the difference between growth and stagnation. For those early in their journey, I recommend cultivating a mindset of flexibility and openness. Be willing to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Step outside your comfort zone, as that’s where real growth happens.
2. Empathetic Communication: During my time as a chaplain candidate in the Army, I learned the importance of empathetic communication. I had to connect with soldiers with severe emotional distress and make them feel understood, supported, and cared for. This translates to understanding your customer’s needs, desires, and pain points in business. It’s about crafting a brand message that resonates with them and creates an emotional connection. My advice is to always put your audience at the center of everything you do. Learn to listen actively, ask the right questions, and make empathy a core brand value.
3. Technological Savvy: My journey has also shown me the transformative potential of technology, especially AI, in business. It has been essential in starting my online business, streamlining processes, enhancing marketing strategies, and providing valuable data-driven insights. For those starting, don’t shy away from technology. Embrace it. Seek knowledge about emerging tech trends relevant to your industry. Start with user-friendly AI tools that can automate simple tasks, then gradually explore more complex applications as you become more comfortable.
Remember, these skills and qualities aren’t acquired overnight. They are honed through experience, continuous learning, and a willingness to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. So, stay patient, stay curious, and stay committed to your journey.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client is an ambitious side hustler or an early-stage entrepreneur with an evident passion for their field but needing guidance in transforming their business concept into a fully realized, successful enterprise. For example, someone like Emily Rodriguez (fictional client), a 32-year-old office worker with a freelancing graphic design business on the side, is willing to put in the hard work, but they need help finding effective strategies for client attraction, brand development, and balancing their commitments.
These clients often sincerely appreciate creativity, innovation, and making a tangible difference through their work. They dream of turning their side hustle into a full-time business but require expert assistance in strategic marketing, brand conception, website design, and AI automation.
They are not looking for quick fixes or overnight success. Instead, they believe in building a sustainable business based on authentic customer connections, offering genuine value, and continuous improvement.
Importantly, my ideal client is open to embracing new technologies, particularly AI-powered solutions, to streamline their business operations. They understand the importance of collaboration and are eager to form partnerships that enable learning, inspiration, and shared success.
My perfect client is ready to embark on an exciting entrepreneurial journey, keen on overcoming their business challenges, and open to innovative, empathetic, and data-backed solutions that Vederemar Design and AI Automation Agency can provide.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vederemar.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vederemar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/william.maitre.790
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-maitre-69478325/
