Founder and creative director behind 315 Designs LLC in Fulton talks about being in business for 10 years
Q: Happy anniversary.
A: Ten years (in October) is really the official business anniversary. I was doing some freelance stuff before that — not for one specific business or anything.
Q: What is 315’s mission?
A: My mission has always been clear — help businesses succeed through the power of extraordinary design.
Q: How did this all start?
A: Because of my background in computers, I was frequently asked if I could work on people’s social media or websites. I’ve always been good with technology and that’s how I got started. Initially, I never considered starting a business, but as I took on more tasks, the idea began to appeal to me. I remember one day while walking, it occurred to me that if people kept asking for my help, maybe I should turn it into a business.
Q: Is it still fun?
A: It is still fun. Now I like seeing the end result. I like seeing the client’s reaction, helping the business.
Q: What qualities do you have?
A: A love of design and a deep understanding of digital marketing, I set out on a mission to empower small and medium-size businesses with impactful brand identities and web solutions.
Q: Was it hard to get going?
A: Starting the business required a significant investment of time. Financially it was around $5,000 or so. I spent many hours honing my skills and building a client base. Success came gradually. I began to see the impact of my work on clients’ businesses. Positive feedback, referrals and repeat clients were clear indicators that 315 Designs was making an impact.
Q: Who are some of your clients?
A: My main mission is to help businesses succeed, focusing on small and mid-sized companies. Recently, I completed the website for the Oswego YMCA and worked with the city of Fulton a few years ago. I also finished a project for the village of Central Square and just launched the website for Geriatrics & Palliative Specialists in Oswego. I don’t have a specific niche; I work with a diverse range of businesses.
Q: What does 315 Designs do?
A: I can help you create a distinctive and memorable brand identity. I craft stunning, user-friendly websites that reflect the client’s brand and drive results. Whether it’s graphic design, marketing materials or digital assets, I offer a wide range of creative solutions. Some projects require a broader range of expertise. For those projects I partner with trusted professionals to deliver the entire package.
Q: What do you attribute your longevity in business?
A: If I had to attribute it to anything I’d have to say I am an artist, always been an artist. I love to be creative. So I think that, plus the software design experience, helped me get where I am what I am doing.
Q: Do you have any staff?
A: I never needed a staff. It’s kind of funny. I suppose you could have a team. But the people that I work with, they don’t want to pay $25,000 for a website. I feel that I cut out the middle men. I’m the consultant. I’m the project manager and the designer. So if I needed to hire staff I could; but then I probably wouldn’t be doing small businesses because then I’d have to charge a lot more.
Q: In 10 years, how many projects have you worked on?
A: You know I haven’t added it all up. It’s been quite a bit. I never really stopped to count. Over the years I’ve worked on quite a variety of projects, but I haven’t added them all up. I started off just working on some various designs for people — a website here and there or a social media graphic or two. I eventually decided just to focus on brand and website design. I have worked on some projects that I am really, really excited about — like for example I designed the 64-page booklet for Fulton’s downtown revitalization grant for $10 million in collaboration with Chirello Advertising. Or the The Fulton library’s logo, which I love because it kind of looks like a butterfly, but it’s a page from a book. Or the city of Fulton’s new logo. Those are some noteworthy projects I’m proud to say I’ve worked on.
Q: Why the name, 315?
A: I decided that it was a fitting name — 315 — for our area because of our area code. I like the name. At the time when I first started doing this stuff, I was using my own name. I liked using my name as an artist. But I wanted to have a more ‘business’ name. I thought of this one day and I said, ‘huh!’ I was surprised that nobody else had taken that name. So I looked it up. I got the LLC and I got all the social media stuff. And I said, ‘that’s it. I’m changing my name.’ I did that when I officially launched 315 Designs.
Q: What’s the best part of the job?
A: I enjoy seeing businesses being successful. I help them put their message out there in a professional way that helps them get business. That’s really what it’s all about.
My favorite quote is “Design is not just about making things look good; it’s about making things work beautifully.” I like that because it is really how I feel It needs to be functional it needs to look professional and it needs to have a little pizzazz to it.
