The Enterprising Moms

The following is the first in our member spotlight series featuring Stephanie Greenwald, of Greenwald Design, who’ll be presenting the new brand she created for The Enterprising Moms at our Coffee and Connections gathering on Tuesday, April 14th. Learn more about Stephanie below and come out on Tuesday to get tips on selecting a graphic designer and developing a successful relationship!

Stephanie Greenwald
Owner and Creative Director, Greenwald Design

Type of Business:  (B2B, B2C): mostly B2B
Industry:  Graphic Design
Product/Service:  Branding and marketing collateral for companies, organizations, products and events.
Location:  Arlington, VA
Years in Business:  7

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:  A company or organization that wants to present it’s identity or message with visual impact and clarity. Clients include small businesses, non-profits and corporations.

Personally speaking…

Home life:
Married with one son, 4 years old

Childcare situation:
My son is in his second year of the Arlington County’s Montessori Preschool program. I work while he is in school, which allows me about 25 hours per week. Additional hours are found after bedtime, during playdates, etc.

Motivation for starting a business:
I wanted to work for people who cared about the quality and impact of design and have a strong belief in their company or cause.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
As a mom, I would say the flexible schedule. If I had a boss or co-workers in an office environment, I think I would feel guilty asking for so much time off for illnesses, field trips, etc. As a career woman, the greatest virtue is being able to say “no” to energy draining or time consuming clients.

Greatest challenge you faced in the past month (personal or biz) and how you dealt with it:
This past month,  we had a lot of illness in my family. Both my mother and husband were in the emergency room (for completely different causes) and have since had to make some big lifestyle and diet changes, my son and I suffered from a stomach bug, and just when everyone started recovering, my son developed pink eye. Dealing with the emotional stress and decreased work time was extremely difficult. I had to make quick decisions about what to put on hold, what to say “no” to, and what simply had to get done. I swallowed my usual “make no excuses, just get the work done” attitude, and sent out emails explaining my situation to clients and colleagues. Everyone was completely understanding, and I managed to cut my workload in half. I called on my design partner to help me out with the creative work, while I managed the admin tasks and art directing. I am fortunate to have a supportive mother-in-law, so she helped with a little childcare and much needed emotional support. I vented to my best friend (who also happens to be the aforementioned design partner) daily to ease the tension. Somehow, I made it through the tough part, everyone in my family is doing better, and none of my clients left me. Now, as soon as Spring Break is over, I can get back to work!

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:
Somehow, amidst all the personal chaos, I landed a new client. Although I was hired for a small, low budget project, I think it will bring in new opportunities. The client is in the business of connecting local businesses with each other for mutual benefit, so I may have found a new cheerleader. How I celebrated? I literally danced a little jig. In my kitchen.

On your nightstand:
The Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman (A light read while life is too much to deal with), The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood (My bookclub choice that I need to read by the 18th!), and three fat Twilight books (to feed my love of the vampire genre)

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
My iPhone, hands down. Am I the only one who often feels the need to sleep with it?

Last purchase for self:
Cadbury eggs

Favorite way to unwind:
Simple things. Looking at the trees and sky, cuddling with one of my purring cats, vegging in front of the tv, sleeping

Be advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
A well-seasoned mom once told me to remember that nothing ever stays the same when it comes to kid’s habits. If it is a good habit, like sleeping through the night, don’t expect it to last forever. If it is a bad habit, like biting, back-talking, etc, it also won’t last forever. She said it usually lasts until you are just about at a breaking point (after trying all the usual remedies and advice), and then the habit miraculously disappears. She was so spot-on!

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
Finally having peers that understand me!

Connect and learn more:
Web Site |  Blog |  LinkedIn |  Facebook |  Twitter