Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shyne Webster. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Shyne, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
I’ve been in multiple spaces where I’m the only person in the room that looks like me- whether that means being the only woman, the only Black person [let alone Black woman], or even the only teenager in the early years of my business and career. My attitude is this: I may be the first (or only), but I’m determined not to be the last.
Part of my personal mission, and quite honestly a belief that’s kept me going when I felt tired of building my brand, is to bring education and exposure to historically underserved communities. For example, when you’re a Black kid in a low-income area, the only representation of economic success you’re consistently seeing is as an athlete or musician. Where are the Black graphic designers, professors, doctors, consultants, tech startup founders, right?
Outside of identity factors, I just want people in general to be exposed to expansive ways of thinking about their success. If all you ever see is one way to be successful, such as climbing the corporate ladder at your 9 to 5, that’s all you’ll ever believe is true or possible for yourself. But when you see the various ways to carve out your own career path, you can dream bigger.
That said, what ultimately drives me to succeed when I’m the only one in the room isn’t a desire to prove myself but a devotion to making way for others to follow. Simply put, I want to walk so they can run.
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?
Shyne Webster, award-winning designer and the founder of Designed by Shyne, launched her brand straight out of high school. Over the last 4 years, she’s pivoted to and fro between freelance, running an agency, and independent brand consulting, serving over 120 brands across industries. From content creation to brand strategy and fostering education for underrepresented people groups, Shyne’s mission is to create human flourishing through the power of creativity. As a self-proclaimed industry disruptor and mentor to creatives, she advocates for a “slow girl summer” philosophy, rebels against hustle culture, and has built a robust personal brand in the design community – paving the way for iconic brands to redefine business as usual.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
One skill that has impacted my journey most is creative critical thinking. My approach to business is built on observing the best strategies, discarding what doesn’t align, and innovating existing ideas in my own way. I’m a huge fan of pulling concepts from other industries into my own marketing, which that takes a lot of analytical thinking and innovation.
Another quality that has contributed to my success is that I’m naturally people-oriented. Outside of work, I’m a social butterfly and I love talking to people, which has helped me grow a personal brand that people actually enjoy.
Lastly, having solid character has been incredibly important in my journey. True success is being happy with who you are at the end of the day, so being a person of integrity, who shows up as the same person in every room and who keeps their word is paramount. Business is about relationships, and if you can provide a client with a good experience and do what you promised, you’re a long-shot ahead of people who cut corners to get far.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
In the last year, I’ve been reexamining the role of work in my life and redefining my relationship to my career. As someone who’s experienced very high highs in business in such a short amount of time, I know firsthand how easy it can be to place your entire identity in your career success. However, that’s not healthy in the long run- we humans are built for more. With this in mind, following my university graduation, I made the decision to scale my brand agency back into a solo freelance practice, and I’ve had such a healthier, more harmonious relationship between work and the rest of my lifestyle. I’ve been able to work less yet still meet my financial goals. I’ve been able to develop myself more holistically and reinvest in my own creativity and spirituality. While I don’t have everything figured out, I can proudly say I’m happier with the business I have right now and it’s more sustainable than ever before.
Contact Info:
- Website: designedbyshyne.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/designedbyshyne
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@designedbyshyne
