Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelli Esquilin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am an Operations Specialist and Online Business Manager for creatives and womxn business owners. I originally started as a graphic designer doing freelance branding and website projects for the same demographic, but I quickly realized that I wanted to do more to help their businesses. My clients loved their customer experience with me and how everything ran smoothly with the emails, homework, and proposals I would send them. They often asked for advice on their own client experience and that’s when I realized I’d rather help them with that instead of designing.
I started setting up their backing systems with HoenyBook and Dubsado. I would speak at online summits and provide customized training for any coaching clients who requested it for their students/clients.
This business started as a need during the pandemic when I was out of work as a graphic designer (been in that field for over 10 years) and needed income. The business started as a whirlwind, and I’ve been loving it ever since.
This year, in January 2024, I launched my services as an Online Business Manager (OBM). With this level of service, I could work with my clients with even more of their business, such as their social media, email marketing, and product/service launches, along with my help with their customer experience.
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?
A little. My business has never been my full-time job. I’ve always had to work a 9 to 5 as a graphic designer and run my business on my own time during the hours of 5-9. In 2019, a freelance contract I had ended, and that led me to move back home to Washington, D.C. However, I look at it as a blessing because I was able to quarantine with my family in 2020 when COVID-19 started.
There was a boom in business during the pandemic and lockdown. I think everyone had time to create their own business when we were all home and could put in the effort. I was able to steadily raise my prices to meet demand and the experience I gained with every new client. Things have slowed down significantly since early 2023, instead of having 2-3 clients a month I now work with maybe 2-3 clients a quarter.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
It was hard to choose between professional and creative. I’ve always straddled the line with those two since my profession is creative in nature: a graphic designer. I started designing fresh out of college in 2011 when I graduated from Hampton University and HBCU. However, I realized I wanted to expand on my skills, and shortly after went to Pratt Institute for graduate school.
I’ve been designing professionally for a little over 10 years. I like to think my design is clean and modern. I keep up with trends, but I don’t test them out on clients until I know they are sticking. I don’t want my clients to be caught with something of mine that will date them. I like my designs to be timeless so that they can be used for years.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is having time for friends and family. With my large family being in Washington, D.C. I like to be able to get back there to visit them whenever I can. I usually make it back at least 4 times a year to see everyone. We traditionally have Sunday dinners together at my grandfather’s house on my mother’s side. My mom is 1 of 13, and everyone has at least two kids who have at least two kids, so there is normally a good crowd on a normal Sunday and quite a large crowd during the holidays.
I also like to spend time with my friends whenever possible. One of the reasons I love Dallas and moved back after the pandemic was to be closer to them. Dallas is a great city to have adult friends in! There is always I new restaurant, bar, or activity to try! It’s also centrally located in the U.S., so it’s amazing for the travel my friends and I do. On average, we plan about two international and two domestic trips every year. I love that both my business and my professional work have allowed me to be able to do that for the last few years.
Pricing:
- Five-Figure Systems VIP Weekend $2500
- Online Business Manager Retainer $1875 monthly
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kayandcostudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayandcostudio/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelliesquilin/
Image Credits
Sophie K. Hunter Photography
