Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Andres.
Natalie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been drawn to art and design, as well as advertising. Both my grandmothers made their livings as artists, and my dad is a photographer, so going into a creative field made sense. I ended up double majoring in English and advertising in college, but I wasn’t really sure what exactly I wanted to do with those degrees. When I moved to Los Angeles, I realized that graphic and web design were my true passions. I also realized that I hated working a 9-5 job. I immediately started taking on freelance clients, while working various full time jobs. In 2010, I quit my regular job and started my own company. And the rest is history. Having my own business is an enormous amount of work, but it means that I can take on the clients that I want to work with, and it means that I can work anywhere in the world
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For the most part, everything has gone smoothly. I worked very hard while I had full time work to build up enough freelance clients so that when I quit, I knew I would have enough work to sustain me. Whenever I’ve feared that I don’t have enough work, I tend to get a new client. So, it hasn’t been totally smooth sailing, but lots of prep and planning and being cautious and smart about when and how I started my company has made it go pretty well!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Hole Punch Design – what should we know?
Hole Punch Design helps businesses and creative professionals crystallize their brand and empowers them to expand and control the ways they connect with their customers and community. The goal is to promote the companies and ideas that help make Los Angeles a great place to live. Hole Punch Design offers the talent and professionalism of a large graphic design firm, with the flexibility and personal attention of a neighborhood partner. Through effective graphic design and marketing, Hole Punch Design aims to help ensure that our community thrives.
Unlike most web design companies, we take on the whole process–both design and development. We can also help with the full branding package, from logo to business cards and brochures to web design and development.
And, finally, we strive to work with businesses who are doing something good for the world. Whenever the opportunity to work with a non-profit emerges, we jump at the chance!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Perseverance is definitely the characteristic that has been most important to my success.
I will NEVER give up. It can sometimes mean driving myself crazy, not sleeping, and working incessantly, but I constantly repeat the catchphrase, “Never give up. Never surrender.” I will not walk away from a project or a problem until I figure out the best way to handle it. It can make a person slight crazy, but it also leads to success. (For me, at least.)
Pricing:
- $95/hour for basic design work
- $750 – $2,000 for logo design, depending on needs
- $1,500 – $7,500 for web design, depending on needs
Contact Info:
- Website: http://holepunchdesign.com
- Phone: 323-606-7854
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/holepunchdesign
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/holepunchdesign
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/holepunchdesign
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hole-punch-design-los-angeles
- Other: http://pinterest.com/natalie579
Image Credit:
Natalie Andres
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