Breaking Free: A Journey to Entrepreneurship with Brittany Levesque
Written by Valiski Bernard
Brittany Levesque
Have you ever dreamed of turning your side hustle into a full-time career? Many of us have passions and talents that we pursue outside of our regular jobs, whether it's creating art, offering freelance services, or developing a unique product. In today's digital age, the opportunity to transform your side hustle into a thriving business has never been more accessible. This week's blog post explores the journey of Brittany Levesque, who turned her creative outlet into a successful branding and web design business. We encourage you to think outside the box and to consider your side hustles as potential paths to a fulfilling career.
Brittany's transformation from a corporate professional to a thriving entrepreneur showcases the importance of perseverance, passion, and pursuing your dreams. As The Cultivators owner and sole designer, Brittany specializes in strategic website and brand design. Her mission is to help entrepreneurs break free from impostor syndrome, attract genuine clients, and confidently showcase their businesses to the world. Brittany also recently won Web Developer of the Year at the 2024 Ottawa Awards. We spoke with her to explore her past experiences, challenges, future aspirations, and insights for entrepreneurs and startups. Our aim is for her story to inspire and encourage you to contemplate your own path.
From Corporate to Entrepreneurship
Brittany's journey to starting The Cultivators is a story of resilience and determination. During her 15 years in the corporate world, Brittany always nurtured a "side hustle" as her creative outlet, a stark contrast to the draining nature of her tech industry job. The pivotal moment came when she learned that her goal of becoming Creative Director in her corporate job had been filled by someone else. Disappointed but undeterred, Brittany used this moment as motivation to focus on her brand and side business.
"I went on maternity leave 13 years into my career. At the time, I was a senior UX/UI designer with a goal to reach the position of Creative Director of the company. During my maternity leave, I was told they hired a Creative Director while I was gone. I was very disappointed… and it was at that moment that I knew it was time for me to run my business full-time. So that's what I did. During my maternity leave and after returning to my corporate job (I stayed there for another 1.5 years), I focused a lot on my brand and running my side business until I created enough revenue and clients to leave my job. I now run a successful business and work from home. I can create my own schedule and take the time I need with my family; I love it."
A Rewarding Moment
"The moment I knew I could leave my corporate job and feel confident enough to go full-time, it's a feeling I can't explain."
Hopefully, we've all encountered those moments that words can't capture—moments brimming with excitement, nerves, and sometimes a profound feeling of empowerment. Picture yourself taking a leap of faith and feeling a rush of confidence and resolve like never before. This defining moment for Brittany enabled her to pursue her passion and revealed her inner strength and resilience. It marked the start of a fresh chapter, where she faced challenges with newfound courage and self-belief in her dreams.
The Importance of Branding
Branding, as defined by Brittany, is the essence of a business, encompassing its identity, values, and the relationship it builds with its target market. It serves as the foundation that establishes how a business presents itself to the world, from its visual identity to its messaging and overall communication strategy. Brittany emphasizes that branding goes beyond just attracting clients; it's about attracting the right clients who align with the business's values and contribute to its growth.
"Branding is the heart and soul of your business; it builds and bonds the connection between your business and your target market. It's how you show up, communicate, your elevator pitch, what you stand for, and who you stand behind. Building a solid brand foundation, paired with thoughtful strategic planning, has the incredible power to draw in the kind of clients you genuinely enjoy working with. When your brand reflects authenticity and purpose, it becomes a magnet for those who resonate with your values and vision. Strategic thinking ensures that every aspect of your brand, from messaging to design, aligns seamlessly, creating a compelling narrative that resonates with your ideal clientele. It's not just about attracting clients; it's about attracting the right clients, those who appreciate what you stand for and contribute to the growth of your business.”
Maximizing Your Digital Presence
Brittany points out that a common mistake she often sees with startups is failing to consider their target audience, resulting in a website that needs more strategy and thought. As a result, their websites can appear untrustworthy or challenging to use, ultimately hindering that business's success. Conversely, successful startups take the time to develop a clear strategy for their website and branding. They consider their target audience and create a user-friendly, visually appealing website that aligns with their brand identity. By investing in professional website design and branding, businesses can establish credibility, attract their target audience, and ultimately achieve tremendous success online.
"Nail down who your target market is: their acronyms, age range, income range, what they do for a living, their hobbies, their pain points, how your business can help them, and what social media platform they use.
Once you have that figured out, tailor your messaging to that target market. Speak to them like humans and explain how you will make their life easier.
Sign up for social media accounts and use the ones your target market uses.
Showcase your work, get testimonials, and show your face."
Setting Boundaries
Establishing boundaries can be both crucial and empowering. Turning down projects that don't resonate with your values and interests allows you to concentrate on work that truly inspires you. It's all about prioritising quality over quantity and taking care of yourself. This shift in mindset can create space for opportunities that bring you joy and satisfaction. Remember, saying no isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of self-awareness and self-care. For Brittany, she's learning to say no.
"Saying yes all the time leaves me overbooked and stressed. I'm learning to say no to clients who don't resonate with me."
Defining Success and Prioritizing Self-Care
Brittany defines success as finding joy in life and dedicating quality time to her family. This involves feeling financially stable and deriving happiness from her work. To emphasize self-care and mental health, Brittany has set specific boundaries, like scheduling meetings on selected days and keeping them to 45 minutes. She values daily exercise and reserves weekends for family time. These habits enhance her well-being and help her maintain productivity and fulfillment in both her personal and professional life.
A Focus on Sustainability
Brittany integrates various sustainable practices to reduce her environmental impact. By working from home, she eliminates the need for a daily commute, decreasing her carbon footprint. She prefers to brew her coffee at home rather than buy it from coffee shops, and she uses a reusable water bottle to minimize single-use plastic waste. Brittany also prepares meals at home to reduce food waste and support local, sustainable food sources. In addition, during the growing season, she and her family tend to a vegetable garden, endorsing sustainable agriculture and reducing reliance on store-bought produce. Lastly, Brittany's use of geothermal energy to regulate her home's temperature highlights her dedication to lowering energy consumption and environmental impact. These practices exemplify Brittany's commitment to sustainability.
Future Plans
Brittany's vision for her future is to continue elevating business owners online by crafting websites and brands that entrepreneurs are excited to share. She is dedicated to helping her clients target the customers they genuinely want to do business with. Her Grant offering to empower others to manifest their online presence exemplifies this commitment to supporting fellow entrepreneurs. Her goal is to create successful businesses and build a community of thriving entrepreneurs passionate about their work and the clients they serve.
"I believe every business deserves a chance to shine online, no matter the budget. As a female entrepreneur myself, I understand the challenges of starting and growing a business. A website isn't just a digital storefront; it's your voice, your story, your connection to the world. Seeing countless women struggle with DIY sites or no website at all sparked a fire in me. I want to empower you to manifest the online presence you deserve.
THIS GRANT IS MY WAY OF SAYING:
You are not alone. We've all been there, facing technical hurdles and creative roadblocks.
Your dream matters. Your unique voice and vision deserve to be seen and heard online.
Together, we can rise. Let's bridge the gap between your vision and a website that converts."
Advice for Aspiring Branding and Web Designers
"When entering any type of business, if you want to attract clientele—the people you actually want to do business with—you need to put yourself out there. You need to show up on social media…show your face, be authentic, and stay true to what you say. You NEED to know your target market, so you know who you're talking to.
When it comes to branding and web design, stick to what you're good at and perfect it; don't try to be everything."
One Last Thing Brittany Wants You To Know
"I've been where most of my clients have been. Stuck in the corporate world and trying to figure out how to get out, how to make that move, and how to showcase myself to attract the right clientele. I know how it feels to want to do everything yourself, I know why clients always start a DIY website, and I am always there to transform their websites into something that they are proud of and to take them to the next level in their digital presence."
Brittany's narrative is a source of motivation for individuals seeking to break away from traditional employment and follow their passions. Her experience highlights that achievement is not solely tied to financial stability but also to discovering happiness and satisfaction in our work. By establishing limits, prioritizing self-care, and upholding our principles, we can shape a life and career that resonate with our aspirations. Brittany's stress on branding as the core of a business emphasizes the importance of laying a solid groundwork for prosperity. Her dedication to sustainability and self-care further showcases her comprehensive approach to entrepreneurship. Through her Grant initiative for fellow entrepreneurs, she shows her commitment to aiding others on their path to success.
As you reflect on Brittany's story, I encourage you to take a leap of faith and pursue your dreams. Whether it's starting a side hustle, launching a new business, or making a career change, remember that the journey to success is unique to each of us. Embrace the challenges, stay true to your vision, and never lose sight of your passion. With dedication and perseverance, you, too, can turn your dreams into reality.