Navare Carter, Founder and Creative Director of Intuitive Creative Agency, joined us for our latest Savvy Entrepreneur Spotlight session. Navare is an award-winning designer, having recently won the Best 2017 Graphic Designer of the Year, MAMAwards (Music & Movies Awards) and the 2017 Graphic Designer of the Year Award, Titan Arts Awards. During his spotlight session, Navare shared how he literally resurrected his business from nothing, while never losing his will to help others.
Rising from the Ashes
Like many of us, Navare started his career by freelancing and working a regular 9-5 to support himself prior to launching his business. After years of feeling unfulfilled, he risked it all and decided to quit his day job in order to devote all of his attention to his company. Navare jumped in feet first because he realized his passion for designing was too great not to explore.
Intuitive Creative Agency specializes in logo design, website design and brand strategizing. But it was almost an unrealized dream for Navare when two years ago, he suffered a major hard drive crash and lost all of his work. Instead of giving up on his passion, he started over, and in doing so, learned more about the business side of protecting his work. Since deciding to invest in his business full time, Navare has gotten more exposure and clients and has been able to share his voice and give back to his community in ways he never imagined.
Clients, Collaboration, and Community
Navare joined Savvy Entrepreneur because he was looking for a community, a place where he could help his peers who are just starting out with their own businesses. He believes in collaboration, and working with others to bring their visions to fruition. When meeting new clients, Navare often pushes them to dream beyond their initial concept and suggests that think big. He goes the extra mile and brings his passion to each and every project.
Navare helps his clients build an audience by communicating their brand from the introduction point, the logo. He believes that a logo should represent three main points about your business; who you are, what do you do, and why does it matter. A company’s logo is its first impression, and it is how people are going to recognize your business in the future. Navare says that it is important to “stay consistent” with photos, social media and trademark images, and he highly recommends keeping logos “simple and straight to the point”.
Financing Your Vision
When asked how he responds to potential clients who feel the financial investment into branding is too great, Navare had this to say…” look at companies like Nike, who trademark image and “Just Do It” slogan, have propelled the business to what it is today”. The return on your initial investment is a “one-time product for a lifetime” according to Navare. In addition, it is one less thing you have to worry about while developing other and equally important areas of your vision.
Along with Navare’s many talents is his ability to be a good listener. This is extremely valuable when working with clients who may not be able to fully communicate their visions. Navare is able to narrow down on keywords that people use to express their vision and develops a mutual level of trust with his clients during the creative process. He says he doesn’t have a specific type of client he prefers to work with, but instead relies on his intuition or a vibe, that he picks up from people.
Looking Ahead to 2018
Navare already has his sights on 2018. He hopes to speak at the 2018 Black Enterprise Conference in June, and is currently designing a mural and collaborating with others on a redesign project for elementary school in the DMV area. Navare is a firm believer in planning ahead and typically tries to plan out the entire year. He thinks it’s important to set a margin or target to aim for.
In his final spotlight message, Navare showed his commitment to collaboration by saying “The sky’s big enough for all birds to fly”. He is truly appreciative to be a part of the Savvy Entrepreneur community and looks forward to networking and connecting with others.
Be sure to hop into the Savvy Entrepreneur Private Facebook Community to collaborate, learn and grow with your fellow entrepreneurs and business owners.
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