No More Impostor Syndrome – How Erika Floyd Found Confidence and Created Her Profitable Web Design Business

Shannon Mattern: Hey, welcome back to the Profitable Web Designer Podcast. In this episode, I'm bringing you the story of one of our Web Designer Academy graduates, Erika Floyd of Brazen Babes Design. So Erika started working with us in May of 2020 because while she was a super talented, creative, bold designer, she never had clients or made any money as a web designer. And during the year that Erika worked with us, she went from $0 and zero clients to easily selling $7,500 web design projects, creating 10 K revenue months. And last I talked to her, she had booked a new client and she was designing a card game for them. I mean, how freaking cool is that? And so I am so excited to share Erica's story about how she made a bold move to join us, overcame imposter syndrome, and took massive action to grow her web design business.

Shannon Mattern: Welcome to the Profitable Web Designer Podcast, where we're all about helping extraordinary web designers like you to stop undercharging over delivering and overworking, and finally create the profitable, sustainable, and scalable web design business you've been dreaming of. I'm your host Shannon Mattern, founder of the Web Designer Academy, where we teach the business side of running a web design business. So if you wanna make a consistent full-time income as a web designer, but you're struggling with things like pricing and boundaries and mindset and marketing and you're just tired of going it alone while my friend, you're in the right place. But before we dive into this week's episode, I wanna invite you to sign up for our totally free profitable pricing framework training that breaks down five mindset shifts to five x your prices without working five times harder. Just go to https://webdesigneracademy.com/pricing and enter your name and email address and I'll send you our proprietary pricing framework that will totally transform what you think about how much you really can charge for web design. So go sign up at https://webdesigneracademy.com/pricing and then meet me back here for this week's episode. Okay. Tell me about what your web design business looked like before joining the Web Designer Academy.

Erika Floyd: Yep. It was nonexistent . I had a name and I had registered my domain, but it literally had not gone any further than that. I was at that, oh, what I'm gonna do moment where I know that I've done website work before and I've been a graphic designer for 10 years. I had this big dream but I wasn't confident enough to make it an actual reality. So when I, when I decided to make that happen, I was like, Okay, so let's figure out how best to make this plan a reality. So I was looking around and that's when I found you.

Shannon Mattern: Do you remember how you found me?

Erika Floyd: I think that it was probably through just a Google search. It was probably related to the five Day Challenge.

Shannon Mattern: Okay.

Erika Floyd: But I somehow ended up not on the Five Day Challenge cause I had no idea about it . Um, and I found the Academy first.

Shannon Mattern: Awesome. Well I'm so glad that you did. And what made you decide to take the leap to join us?

Erika Floyd: It was a lot of things. A, I watched I, oh, it was some kind of like preview video where you walked through something, you talked about what the course was at the very end and it was your energy and it really connected with me cuz I'm high energy and I need somebody that matches that. But also the way that you explain things really seemed to resonate with the way that I learned. So it was a lot of what you said that gave me the confidence that I could master these things that I need to in order to get this business off the ground. And just the way that you made me feel comfortable through talking, not even one on one, like in a recorded video made me feel comfortable with it. So that's what really was the impetus for me to apply for the academy to start with. And then it went from there.

Shannon Mattern: I remember seeing your application, I'm like, she needs to say yes because she does not even know how amazing she is. And it is my life's mission to like, like that's what I love about seeing the applications come through, especially the ones that I get really excited about like yours that I'm just like, they don't even know. They don't even know how awesome they are. And like I just wanna help you really see what is possible for you and the potential that's really there because like you're so incredibly talented and creative and all the things that I'm like your clients need you. Like there are people out there like waiting for you to like bang down their door and like build their website for them and like unlock their dreams for them. I think that's what's so exciting to me about what we do as web designers is like we make other people's dreams possible and we get to make our own dreams possible at the same time. Like it's so cool.

Erika Floyd: Yeah.

Shannon Mattern: And so that just, that

Erika Floyd: Is really cool. And that's one thing like when you sent me back the video after I applied, I was like, she's not gonna like what you do Erica. She's not gonna like any of it. She's gonna say no. And I

Shannon Mattern: Realized what dare you apply for my program

Erika Floyd: . I realize a lot of it is that imposter syndrome. So one of the like best things, I mean other than all of it that I've gotten is is the ability to step outside of myself and see what I do from other people's eyes to be like, okay, you think that it looks like crap now but that's because you've been working on it for three hours. Like somebody else probably doesn't think that also other people don't have the skills that I have nobody has in my brain. And so to be able to hear that from somebody else and then go through the program and kind of do like the inner work to figure out why my brain works the way it does and like what kind of personality I am and how I should run my business. Like it's been a lot of mindset shifts for me throughout this that have been insanely incredible.

Shannon Mattern: Well you are just leading me right to my next question because that was perfect segue into what are some of the biggest transformations you've had since joining?

Erika Floyd: Yeah, I mean I think the, the most important thing, a lot of people would say the money, it's not the money, it's the mindset. I have been a very self-conscious, like in my own bubble girl for so long as my looks would tell you otherwise. Like I'm still very shy and like subdued. But there's always that like really bright spot of me that wants to come out and having the confidence to do that through like having the knowledge through the program and also like I said, the mindset work but also the group. The group has been incredible for when I'm just stuck and I need to be like I just need an vent about this or to celebrate a win. Like all of that has done so much to help myself confidence to come outta that bubble and to like confidently say I'm a web designer, almost drop the F ball. .

Shannon Mattern: I love that you just said that though because that is something that for me at the beginning was hard to say. I know for a lot of our students before they join and even sometimes halfway through the program is hard for them to say. It's like I'm a web designer and you're, you're a good web designer also by the way.

Erika Floyd: I'm getting there, I'm learning every day and that's something that is the thing that I enjoy the most, the reason why I wanted to do web and branding. But web gives you so many challenges and if I get bored with something I am onto the next thing so quickly. So doing something like this and the fact that every client that I have is so unique, I get to figure out their little nuances and like how I can serve them best and it just literally lights me on fire.

Shannon Mattern: Oh I love it. And you came into the program like zero clients, right? Like zero. Yeah. And you trusted the process, you did the work and I remember like we were on a Zoom call recently and you're like Oh I haven't had any wins at all. And you're like, oh wait, wait did I tell you that I just booked like this cl And we're like, Oh okay, yes let's celebrate you there I

Erika Floyd: If you

Shannon Mattern: Incredible from zero clients to really leaning into that like money mindset, charging really what you should be charging.

Erika Floyd: And it was the scariest thing I've ever done. Let me just say I joined the academy and I spent two-ish months kind of building, building up and making sure that I knew my and what I needed to do and then I hit the ground running and the first client that I took on, I only charged 2,500 for a full website, will never do that again. . And then the last package that I booked was 7,500. So being able to confidently like put my rates out there, even though it makes me want to crop my pants every time has been so amazing cuz I'm just like this is what I'm worth. If you want to pay it then great, we will start working together. And if you don't that's fine. There are other web designers out there and maybe this isn't the fit. So to be able to like shift that mind to do that but also to be able to save my services are worth $10,000, like you should pay me this.

Shannon Mattern: Oh that just gave me goosebumps. And we're very similar because you know, my coach used to tell me like, I can't believe you're only charging whatever stupid low money for that. And I'm like, I didn't think it was worth it. I'm like I have to touch the stove to see if it's hot. Oh okay, yes. So not worth it. And then I go up and up and up and some people need to touch the stove to do something different. Other people are like okay, I'm just gonna go for it. I am a touch the stove. I wish I wasn't that way but that's how I learn sometimes too.

Erika Floyd: See I like being a stove toucher because I have learned so many life experiences that way that absolutely help build the foundation of who I am and who I am is what makes my business and what makes my client successful because I have touched the stove and I know what not to do. .

Shannon Mattern: I love it. I love it. My next question for you is what part of the program has been most valuable to you?

Erika Floyd: I think that this is a hard one cuz it's all very valuable. I really love the fact that the course is recorded. So any time I get that little itch in my brain that I'm not sure what I'm doing, I can go back and review any lesson and not just spend time going through all of them. But like if it's one specific part, I was in there earlier today looking for something but I don't remember what it was now cause then our call started but I absolutely go back in there all the time just for little bits and pieces whether it's template or like how to address a client this way and it's just so nice to have that repository of information.

Shannon Mattern: Yeah I think you know I've considered at times being like oh there's too many modules but then I'm like no I like that they're small and short because of that reason that it's not like you're scrolling through a two hour long training trying to find, oh I think she said something about packages somewhere in the, in this module. So I'm glad you said that because as I'm looking to update curriculum for 2022, just really thinking about what best serves you guys And also it's just like, I think what makes us different from any other other program that I've seen out there is that we do support you through the full life cycle of your business and so you are going to need to go back to some of those modules because you're not going to just do everything all at once in the first 90 days or six months or whatever. It's like you're going to nine months in need to go back to something that we talked about in an earlier module because you didn't experience that until this point in your business.

Erika Floyd: Yeah and that's what reminded me of where I was looking at the scaling information because this next year I'm gonna start getting into scaling my business because I'm financially secure enough, I'm getting clients in so it's time to go to the next level

Shannon Mattern: That is music to my ears. Truly. Like you're doing things in the right order. Like so that, ugh I love it. I love it.

Erika Floyd: Yeah, I mean I'm thinking about hiring two people to my team next year, which is insane

Shannon Mattern: That okay, I'm so excited. Like we could talk about this like off of this call or kind of at the end because like that's amazing that you're in position where you're like okay it's time and I know you've gotten to the point in your business where you're like I've got too much on my plate. And so I was talking with Lee Scott who's another person in the program and a couple other people of like, okay, some of you are at this point now and so let's figure out how to really like optimize your processes now so that when you bring people on you're like really maximizing every bit of time and money that you have. So,

Erika Floyd: And part of my goals for the next year when I'm taking December pretty much off is work on my SOPs. So when I do hire people in, I just hand them the document and they get to running. Cause I would really, my dream goal is to back off of everything hands on and be really the creative director and then work on projects that drive me inside so I can take on clients that make money that I'm not necessarily like, yeah this is gonna be awesome and then work with those clients one on one. And that's my big goal. ,

Shannon Mattern: I am so excited for this. Like I'm so excited for this , I'm like seeing $20,000, $25,000 projects in your near future.

Erika Floyd: It's going to happen. I am putting it out there. It is going to happen.

Shannon Mattern: I can't wait for you to watch this video back in a year .

Erika Floyd: It's gonna be crazy. I was talking to the boyfriend the other day and I was like I can't wait to see what next year holds. And I don't remember the last time in my life I've been able to say that.

Shannon Mattern: That's amazing. I'm so excited to like support you as you move to your next level too. So final question for this portion of our conversation. What would you say to someone who is on the fence fence about joining the web designer academy?

Erika Floyd: Just jump off the fence. Don't even hesitate. It has been one of the best decisions I've made personally and professionally. When I first found it I was like this is a huge chunk of money to invest into something and am I worth it? Is my business worth it? Am I gonna actually be able to do something with this? And if I could tell myself when I was having those doubts, I would just say shut up , you are absolutely worth it. Have confidence in yourself know that this program, the academy is here to support you every step of the way. Even if you feel like it's the stupidest question in the world, if you ask it, you will be met with such a great response. It is like I just can't say enough nice things. It's been life changing for me. I mean I went from zero clients to now almost $10,000 months pretty regularly.

Shannon Mattern: That is incredible and amazing and I just wanna thank you and acknowledge you for just being like such an amazing part of our community. Like you show up, you post, you contribute, you ask for help. When you ask for help, it supports other people. When you share your wins, it supports other people. When you share your struggles, it supports other people. You are part of the reason why the program is so amazing and I just am like wake up, like I get to do this for a living. Like this is crazy so I cannot thank you enough because it's people like you who I could have curriculum in an online course and sure would be fine and good but like without people like you in the program, like really full on participating, it's just wouldn't be what it is. So thank you for that.

Erika Floyd: It's it of course and I'm so happy to be there. But it's not just having the program and having the Facebook group cuz a lot of people do that. I'm in other groups that are the same exact thing, but there is not that sense of like community or family even. And that's one thing that the web designer academy like really goes above and beyond with is every single time you post, you're gonna get a response. Every single time you need something, you need support. Everybody is there cheering you on or giving you help or giving you advice or telling you what books to read when you're feeling stuck. There's never a time that I have had a win that I'm just like, I don't think anybody wants to share this with me. I'm just like, this is what happened to me. .

Shannon Mattern: Oh I love it. And it's just,

Erika Floyd: It's, it's that family and that's so important to me. And I think that's that building the sense and the fostering the community is really where you guys excel. It has been the most supportive place I've ever been on the internet.

Shannon Mattern: Wow. Well I think that is the perfect place to wrap up this interview because I can't think of, I'm just like, well drop the mic. I guess we're done.

Erika Floyd: , you won the internet. It's over.

Shannon Mattern: Yay. I won the internet. Oh, that's awesome. So if you're interested in following in Erica's footsteps and learning more about how we can help you reach your big web design business goals, we would love to invite you to our invitation only five P framework training where we'll walk you through the five simple yeah powerful steps we helped Erika take to stop trading her time for money, raise her prices by five times or more, make marketing easier, reclaim her schedule and book dreamy while paying clients she loves. So all you have to do to learn those five steps is go to https://webdesigneracademy.com, fill out the application to get your invitation to the complimentary private training, and I cannot wait to see your application. That's it for this week's episode. And we've linked up all of the resources we talked about today in the show notes.

Shannon Mattern: So you can go to https://webdesigneracademy.com/podcast to get your hands on those. And we'll be back next week with another episode designed to help you up level the business side of your web design business. So be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you're listening. And if you like today's episode, we will be so grateful if you would share it with all your web designer friends. And if you're feeling extra generous, we'd love for you to leave us a writing and review so we can get in front of even more web designers and help them transform their businesses and their lives. So simply scroll up on this episode in your podcast player and tap that, leave a review link or go to web designer academy.com/review and it'll take you to the right spot. Thank you so much for listening and I'll see you right here next week. Bye.

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