What does your business do?
KatzEye Designs designs websites and graphics for clients ranging
from small, non-profit organizations to mid-size corporate
companies. I also design interactive Flash animations, logo
designs and printing, packaging and distribution for software
companies.
When and why did you start the
biz?
The doors to KatzEye Designs officially opened in December 1999.
How Many People are in your
Company?
There is one employee - myself. I do have an accountant to take
care of some of my accounting needs.
Where's your office?
KatzEye Designs is a home-based business. It occupies
approximately 1/4 of the whole upper level of the house (the
entire dining room and half of the living room). I have two main
work systems that are set up side by side which is handy to test
websites on different browsers, and view graphics on different
resolutions. It is also a great set up for completing on-line
tutorials as you can have the course on one monitor and do the
lessons on the other. I also have a laptop station set up. Here I
do large scale printing from (so it doesn't tie up my work
computers) and to also as a CD duplicating station (for my
software distribution component of the business).
What's the toughest part of
running your biz?
Initially, the biggest challenge was getting clients. I made cold
calls for the first months of my business and called everyone I
knew. One by one, I started to get clients and I have never had to
make a cold call since. I have never advertised The second biggest
challenge was learning the basics of business principals. I had to
learn the hard way that written contracts, and partial and full
deposits were a necessity in this business. I have had to learn
not to be as trusting as I normally am and I have had to learn
that it is ok to say NO and to actually decline clients.
What's the most fun part?
The most fun part is creating! It is doing what I love to do best
and in the comfort of my own home and on my own terms. It is truly
satisfying to have created something graphically for someone, and
put all of their ideas together into a cohesive website, and know
that they are tickled pink with the results. I work harder and
longer running my own business, than I ever did working for
someone else. But there truly is something to be said for being
able to relax in your pajamas in the mornings and not have to rush
to get in the shower, slam a coffee, and deal with traffic for the
first hour of your day.
Anything you would have done
differently?
On one side of the coin, I would say there would have been a lot I
would have done differently. However, on the other side of the
coin, I would have to say I wouldn't have wanted to do anything
differently. The reason for this is that I have learned greatly
from my business since its inception. If I had done things
differently, I would not have learned the lessons. But.... if I
had known then what I know now, I would have retained a phone line
solely for my business instead of using my home phone number.
Although I clearly indicated to clients what my office hours were,
I frequently would receive phone calls as late as 10 pm. I would
have started using written contracts right away and received
deposits towards projects. I would have backed up my computers!
Most importantly, I would have started networking with other
industry designers. Being home-based can lead to isolation and it
is important to keep current in the industry and to also have a
support network of people who are doing exactly what you are
doing.
What's next on the horizon for
you and your biz?
Expanding into software duplication and distribution. Equipment
has already been purchased to further approach this branch of the
business and is in the initial "setting-up" phase. Once this
branch is clearly set up and understood, then KatzEye Designs will
likely be taking on a whole new look, and a whole new business
approach and marketing campaign.
What advice do you have for
others who are planning to take the leap?
If it is your dream... just do it! Try to have the basics set up
prior to quitting your job and taking the big leap of faith. Save
up a couple months worth of money to cover the very rocky first
few months of your business's birth. Be financially prepared. Give
yourself a good solid timeline with weekly/monthly goals and
benchmarks. If you give your business a year to get off the
ground, then give your business a year. All of the decisions that
you make during that year should be based on how to reach your
business goals. Elicit the support of everyone around you. It may
mean less time with your partner and children. It may mean that
they will see you pulling out your hair every Friday afternoon.
Talk about what it will look like and how you can all support one
another. Lastly, in your deepest darkest moments, don't give up.
Every entrepreneur I have talked to consistently says that "When
it rains it pours" and this is true for me as well. You will have
a great month or two and then business slows right down for a
couple of months and you may begin to panic. Instead of panicking,
use these down times to revamp your business plan, take a nice
little personal and/or family holiday, clean up your computer
systems and do backups, phone your clients and let them know that
you are interested in how they are doing, etc. Things will all of
a sudden pick up and then you are back to flying around with your
hair on fire.
How do you use Idea Cafe to help
you with your biz (and/or your sanity)?
I use Idea Cafe... for ideas!!! There is great information on this
website, and it helps me to understand various concepts, or to
spark ideas of something I would never have thought of otherwise.
It is a great community for support and fun too!
School (where, still in school,
degree)?
Simon Fraser University - BA
Prior jobs or business?
I was employed in the Social Services/Child Welfare field for over
10 years. Since opening KatzEye Designs, some clients include:
Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta, Innovative Licensing
and Promotion, History & Nostalgia Antiques, Collectibles and
Memorabilia, Hamumu Software, Memir Software.... and the list goes
on.
Favorite Food?
McCain Crinkle French Fries
What are your pets names?
Hummer & Gaia (cats)
Do any of these pets help with
your biz?
They force me to take breaks from the computer! They love
attention and cuddling and playing, and if I try to ignore them
because I am busy, they insist I do something else.
Is there any one person or event
in your life that led you to go into business for yourself?
I worked in a program that allowed me the opportunity to grow it
and market it on my own accord. After approximately 3 years I sat
back and looked at all I had accomplished with this program and
saw the tremendous success. I thought that if I could have done
this for another company, then surely I could do this for my own
company as well.
Anyone you publicly want to
thank or say hi to?
Yes, I would like to publicly thank all of my clients. After all,
without them, there would be no KatzEye Designs. They are the
backbone of my business and they are the most treasured part of my
day.
Contact Info:
Catharine Haney
(403) 236-0742
katzeye@shaw.ca
Website:
http://www.katzeyedesigns.com
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