Today we’d like to introduce you to Chase Martin.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chase. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have had a love for arts and graphic design for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I always tinkered with computers, even building my first PC with my uncle, Marshall Allen, at the age of ten. In school, I took lots of computer geared courses for coding and general IT education. In High School, School of Business at Townview, my classes focused on IT. I then went on to graduate from Prairie View A&M University with bachelors in Management Information Systems. I am a true techie at heart. However, art was still a major part of who I was. As I got older, my love for art and IT merged together and I started playing around with creating digital graphics and web sites.
While graphic and web design has always been a passion, Empress Marketing didn’t come about until March of 2016. Just three months after having my son, I was laid off from my corporate job. This left me in a complicated situation. The first issue was that I didn’t want to send my three-month-old son to daycare. The second factor being that I helped a company make millions of dollars over the years and overnight, my position was outsourced to India. I said I would never let that happen again. So I took the talents that I had and begin to build Empress Marketing, where I provide Web Design, Graphic Design and Print Services. The majority of my projects are geared towards brand visuals and web design. However, we also process lots of ready-made print products.
The path hasn’t been easy. When I first started, I was blessed to be able to live off of nice sized severance pay, while also receiving an unemployment check. During this time, I began building my portfolio and fine-tuning my skills. Because I was so new to the industry, I wasn’t able to charge anywhere close to the market price for my services. That was a major hurdle to overcome. As a single mother who just lost a $125k job, a major lifestyle adjustment was needed. The path was no crystal road (and still isn’t). However, I persevered on and never gave up!
Today, I am proud to say that four and a half years later, I am still in business and growing exponentially! To date, my portfolio now includes tons of projects that range from small start-ups and small businesses to projects for celebrities and organizations such as Von Miller, Errol Spence, The Harvey Martin Dream Foundation, The Pink Peppermint Project, The City of Dallas, and Dallas Independent School District, just to name a few.
I have aspirations to continue the growth of Empress Marketing by expanding to a large team of creatives that include full-stack developers, professional graphic designers, copywriters and even a dedicated social media management team. This year (2020) we will be partnering with a local High school to work with interns that have a desire to pursue a career in marketing, graphic design and web design services. This move will surely be a pivotal point for Empress Marketing’s growth.
Has it been a smooth road?
Empress Marketing’s path hasn’t been an easy one. In the beginning, because my portfolio was rather small, I wasn’t able to find my target clients. I found my self taking on lots of very low paying jobs in an attempt to simply pay my bills. More projects than I could actually handle. This caused lots of stress and took away from the important time I needed to spend with my new son.
I have always wanted to grow my team beyond just my self, but because of my struggles with finding the target client, I only recently have felt that I was able to afford to take that step. Like the saying goes, it takes money to make money.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Empress Marketing – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Empress Marketing provides Web Design, Graphic Design and Print Services to a vast array of clients. While the majority of our clients are small and medium businesses and organizations, no project is too large. We can help with any marketing materials that are needed. Anything from a simple logo, social media flyer, banner or website. We cover it all!
In the beginning, we were known for providing event graphics such as flyers, program books, tickets, etc. Currently, the majority of our clients are looking for assistance with creating the visuals for branding and Web Design.
What set us apart from most other companies that provide similar services is that we are a one-stop-shop. We help you with everything from the logo to the Webdesign and even further to printed graphics. But we don’t stop there. Need a billboard? We can help you with that too. You are going to work with a dedicated person. Our extensive network even has the capabilities to create commercials and radio drops if needed.
From the beginning of the relationship, we speak with you to understand your needs and goals. Lots of times, I have heard stories where designers came up with what they envisioned and it was nothing like what the customer expected. Also, there is virtually no limit in the adjustments that can be made. We work with you until you are satisfied. Most companies have a limit on the amount of changes that are made.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I was born and raised in Dallas, TX. I have lived in Houston and Austin as well. After many years I ended up right back home because this is where my heart is and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I do want to travel globe at some point and plan a trip to each continent.
Pricing:
- Branding Packages starting at $250
- Web Design starting at $350
Contact Info:
- Website: www.empressmkt.com
- Email: info@empressmkt.com
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