Meet Debbie Stratton of Design Dog Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Stratton.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Debbie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Design Dog Studio started 11 years ago after asking myself some important questions. My corporate job had a steady income but didn’t feel like living. The real thrill of my life is any opportunity to be creative. As a kid, I enjoyed creating my own greeting cards, creating things, designing things. What do you do during a Wisconsin blizzard? You get creative. I’m still a Packer fan and a font fanatic. Becoming a graphic designer was a natural for me and I’m happy that I took the leap of starting my own business.

Word spread and soon business owners hired me to get their message out with unique logos, business cards, newsletters, stationery, banners, and even trade show displays. I love helping great people get their message out there. It was the best decision I’ve ever made to go out on my own.

I’m grateful to work out of my home office. Let me introduce you to my staff…my two Golden Retriever rescues. Rio is Chief of Security, smart and funny. Darby is the joyful Welcome Committee Chair with glistening blonde fur. The two inspire me to bring life and fun into everything creative. They keep me on task and keep my creative juices flowing full blast. One bark for yes. Two barks for “ready to print.” I’m pretty sure my clients have all heard from each member of the team.

Through the magic of the internet, my client base spans throughout the country. I love it when the phone rings from current clients and those who are returning for special projects or needing new marketing materials. I believe in great customer service…basic things like returning phone calls and emails right away. That should be common in our world. I make it a priority. I believe in being positive and finding joy everywhere. Life is short … laugh often, thank often.

My core value is making a difference. If I won the lottery, I’d donate all my time designing materials for dog rescue groups. I haven’t always had jobs where I made a difference so I’ve been volunteering with Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies (GRRR) for over 20 years. It fits my passion for dogs and I’m able to use my design skills to make a difference. By designing fun materials, I help make GRRR look professional, help raise more money, get people interested, and ultimately help dogs who need good homes.

I first redesigned the GRRR newsletter and then got more involved through the years. In addition to designing all of their print materials like newsletters, party invitations, and the awesome yearly calendar, I’ve been the volunteer coordinator, event coordinator, and have been on the Board. I am honored to have been named a Volunteer of the Year and this year was given a Lifetime Membership Award.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Struggles of running a small business? I knew nothing about being an entrepreneur! I’m good at graphic design but didn’t know much about accounting, bookkeeping, web design, and so many things a small business owner needs to know. A wise person said to me “do what you’re good at, and hire other people to do what they are good at.” Smart advice, so I do hire other businesses to help.

I also learned about networking, which is crucial to small businesses. I had no idea networking existed! Networking is great for getting referrals and new business, but it also makes me a resource for people seeking out other good, ethical businesses. It feels better to give someone a referral than to receive one. I love connecting people.

Running my own business can be a roller coaster when it comes to income, but I try not to stress out about it and remain positive that more business will keep coming my way. I seek advice from friends who own their own business and try out new some things (will I ever really know what social media networks to be on?). But basically, I do what I like and what feels right.

Back in 2013, I did have breast cancer, but it didn’t stop me from working. I had support from many friends and family and I stayed positive, which I believe is the reason it wasn’t as horrible as I thought it would be when the dreaded diagnosis came. It was part of my journey, but not something I think about much and I don’t want it to define me. It’s over. And it won’t come back. Besides…being bald is much easier!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Design Dog Studio – what should we know?
“Anything in print” is my motto. I design logos, brochures, product catalogs, business cards. Oh, and vehicle wraps … I love designing vehicle wraps – they are rolling billboards. My niche is the pet industry. Dogs are my passion so it’s a good fit, and I make instant connections with other dog lovers. Plus, it’s so fun to work with people in the pet industry. I also love helping new businesses get started. Especially with other women who got fed up with their corporate job and started a business doing something they are passionate about.

I love my job and I try to make it a fun, positive, stress-free experience for my clients. By designing great marketing materials that bring out my client’s personality and passion, I help them capture their ideal client. So when they walk into a meeting with a potential new client, they have a great logo and great marketing materials that represent who they are. Those materials give them confidence too. Nothing worse than handing out a business card that you wrote all over because the contact information was wrong. It’s so important to have a great business card. It might be small but I think it’s the most important marketing material.

I make a difference to business owners. I don’t have a big ego. I listen to what they want. I make it fun.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.designdogstudio.com/
• Phone: 720-254-3124
• Email: debbie@designdogstudio.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesignDogStudio/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/design-dog-studio-denver
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiekstratton/

Image Credit:
Karen Hoglund Photography

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