Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Perez.
Christina , please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In 2014 I started a fashion blog called Eat More Vegetables (EMV.) At the time, I was looking for something creative to do while I was in school getting my Bachelors in Marketing. I love fashion and really enjoyed the blogging community. As my time at Dallas Baptist University came to an end, so did my blog. The day of graduation I received an amazing opportunity to be the eCommerce and Marketing Director for the cutest boutique in Rockwall, Southern Roots. I learned about branding, social media marketing, customer service, web design, and so much more while working with Southern Roots. I loved being a part of such an amazing team with great leadership. Towards the end of 2017, I decided to go back to DBU to work on my MBA. My class schedule was complicated and required me to be closer to Dallas. I then was left with the decision on what I was going to do for work. I had been asked in the past for web design help but never really had much time on my hands to do it. Soon after school started, the suggestion of starting my own web design business came up in conversation. I began researching web design and found it to be rather rigorous and detailed, but I knew I was ready for the challenge. In February 2018 I launched EMV & Co. with my first website design for a local photographer. There were so many people that were involved in the process of EMV & Co. that I am thankful for. They are a big partof where I am today and why EMV & Co. still exists. God is so good and I am very grateful for the experiences that have lead me to this place with EMV & Co.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t think anything is ever really a smooth road. There are a lot of details that go into a small business, so there will always be something that comes up. A few struggles at the beginning were processing through my Why of EMV & Co., going through the process of itemizing my services, and asking for help when I really needed it.
When Itemizing your services, you calculate what your time, and talents are really worth. It is the wrestle between thinking you are not enough from stepping out and starting a company from the ground up vs. knowing what you are capable of doing. I was also unsure of the appropriate amount to charge clients due to the fact that I did not have a large portfolio of clients before starting out on my own. I had to do a lot of research and really take a step back to see what I was able to provide my future clients. It was through these struggles that I found the voice for my company and could begin to look deeper within EMV & Co.
Simon Sinek, the author of Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action said, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe”. While in the beginning stages of planning out EMV & Co. I really had to consider why I was wanting to start a business and what I wanted my future clients to feel and think when partnering with EMV & Co. This process normally brings up a lot of difficult questions that you have to ask yourself. It is a constant trial and error, but once you have gone through the process, it is extremely rewarding for you, your business, and clients.
As a young entrepreneur, I felt that being self-sufficient meant that I was doing something right, but in reality, my lack of mentorship meant that I was doing something wrong. I needed someone to give me advice and walk me through certain parts of the business.Shortly after starting the process of EMV & Co., I found mentors that I wanted to come along side me during the beginning stages. Those are my people. They have been the ones who listen and answer every question I have from financials for a young company to providing feedback on changes that should bemade on a design. What I love most about the struggles that I endured along the way, are that I gained mentors that are available to help me on this journey. Find a few, and trust them.
My advice:
– Learn to be your biggest fan
– Surround yourself with people that speak life into you, and that can correct you when needed
– Stay focused on the WHY of your business
– Always ask for help when needed
Please tell us about EMV & Co. .
I specialize in the following Products & Services:
– Brand Development:
– Web Design and Development
– Social Media Optimization
– Inbound Marketing (Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Analytics, & Increasing SEO.)
– Stationary:
– Printables
– Greeting Cards
Most clients would say I’m known for my web design and graphics, although I do a number of other design based products as well. What I am most proud of, is the client relationshipsthat have developed through EMV & Co. Mytop priority when working with a client is to bring their vision to life. I believe that in order to accomplish this, you have to build enough of a relationship with the client portray that well.
I think what sets me apart from other larger companies is the personal experience clients get. Clients leave feeling heard and trusting that I am capable of getting what they are wanting done.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I definitely think that the way I was raised set me up for success. I was blessed enough to attend a great school and live in a great neighborhood. My parents always taught meto do my best even though school was never easy for me. I was introduced to a lifestyle of working hard, having integrity, and a vow to do good to others at a young age which have influenced my work ethic as I have gotten older. My parents knew the importance of allowing me to express creativity in a lot of different ways. As I got older, that creativity was geared more towards music. Learning guitar and joining choir at a young age really launched me into a new phase in life. Both taught me to work hard, be vulnerable, push through pain (especially when those first callouses started to develop), and strive for excellence. All of my past experiences have helped in cultivating the standards that I uphold at EMV & Co. today.
Contact Info:
- Address: Dallas, Tx
- Website: www.emvcoonline.com
- Email: christina@emvcoonline.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emv.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emvcoonline
Image Credit:
Professional Photos by Emily Haring @emilyharing www.emilyharing.com
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