Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Little.
Hi Annie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Thank you so much for having me! This passion project was born during my senior year at Pepperdine University as an advertising major. I’ve always had an appreciation for supporting small businesses, especially those that are actively giving back to the community in some way. I’ve been known to be pretty creative my entire life, and my neighbors would even hire me to take their family photos beginning around age 14. This meant a lot to me and definitely kick-started my understanding of the importance of supporting local artisans. During my college years, and especially during quarantine in 2020, I had a lot of creative friends I wanted to support, but I didn’t have the financial means to purchase their products. I then came up with our business model after realizing that one effective way I can support them is through the skills I have learned as an advertising major. Backwash Collective is very excited to offer hosting and advertising services for local independent artisans with an emphasis in supporting our neighbors and others through donations such as The Los Angeles LGBT Center, The Marshall Project, Stop AAPI Hate, Santa Barbara Food Bank, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and more!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think it’s safe to say that starting a business is never a smooth road! Personally, I have a difficult time asking others for help, but I have learned that it takes a village. My loved ones have been so unbelievably generous with their time and energy and excited to help me with whatever I need. I know that this kind of support is special, and I feel so lucky. It took some time to find an investor, but when I did it changed everything and I am so grateful. Creating a project like this has taken a lot of discipline and putting in hours when I don’t necessarily feel motivated, but it has paid off so far. In the times when we don’t reach our goals, whatever they may be, I just keep reminding myself that as long as I am doing my best, following what I feel is right, and having fun, that is “successful” to me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At the moment, I am a freelance “creative director,” but I basically just create whatever clients ask me to. This includes logo design, web design, graphic design, photography, and more. I have enjoyed the remote freelance life because if I am working on a single project for too long, I tend to feel stuck. In order to stay inspired, I need a variety of projects and environments.
You can check out my portfolio at annielittleco.com!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If we work hard enough at something, we can make anything a reality! Since we are not promised tomorrow, our lives are too short to spend dreaming about what we wish we could do when all we have to do is make the leap. It’s really scary but so worth it.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: backwashcollective.com
- Instagram: @backwash.collective
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backwashcollective
- Other: pinterest.com/backwashcollective/
Image Credits:
Annie Little Co.
