Check Out Connor Lock’s Story

Hi Connor, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
So it all started almost seven years ago now. I left my job as a creative director in the corporate world and embarked on a new adventure of starting my own design company. It seemed like the universe was pushing me in that direction. I had learned a lot about what to do and what NOT to do in business in my time working for others. Excited but terrified at the same time, I still think back to what my Dad had to say to me when I asked his thoughts on me starting my own business. With a long pause on the phone, he said, “Connor, what you’re describing to me is going to be a lot harder to do when you wake up at 45 then at 25yrs old. Remember, you have the rest of your entire life to work. You might as well give this a go. At the same time, you have all that passion and energy” Since then, I have never looked back. The first three years of the business pushed me to my absolute breaking points emotionally and financially. Especially when I got down to the $17 away from “what the hell am I gonna do, I feel worthless” moment. That moment consisted of me having a panic attack in my home office, going out on my porch with a cold beer to calm my nerves and to stare out into the world. With my mind spinning on how I was going to make money, I eventually pulled my phone out to check my inbox.

One message caught my eye; it was a project proposal I had sent out several months ago. Opening it while feeling numb to the world, I couldn’t believe what I was reading. “Sorry for the delayed response, Connor. We love your work and have had our budgets replenished for this project. We’d love to get things rolling” This project paid for the next three months of my life. From that absolute low point onwards, the business has continued to grow. I started the business in Charleston, South Carolina, and now I have embarked on a new adventure developing a second office branch here in Denver. Just like I had a calling from the universe to start my own business, I have had a calling to Colorado living for years. Now that I am here, my heart is singing. I feel so alive and ready to create beautiful relationships with people who have deep passions for what they do or sell. I’m living my dream right now, and I want my business to continue to help others achieve theirs. Especially here in the Denver area. Hello there, new friends! Let’s develop some stellar visions and visuals together!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The business has been a lot like highway construction. You’re stressed out. You feel like you’re gonna be late, a bunch of things is closed off, tons of random signs are confusing you on which way to go, potholes testing your ride, people honking at you, Siri is NOT helping at all, etc. But then you somehow find your way to a quiet neighborhood street where you pull over and the guy watering his lawn waves to you with a smile. You roll down your window and ask him for help. You become friends, and he introduces you to the rest of the community. Then you slowly begin to learn to navigate your way by listening and asking for help from others in the community. You eventually learn about the smooth roads. Then the best thing you can do is smile, wave to others, and help them learn the good roads to follow.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the founder/lead visual craftsman of a brand design agency called SEVEN {a visual craftsman}. We strive to work with people who have deep passions for what they do or sell. Helping them achieve those dreams through our passion and fine craftsmanship is at our core. The concept of a visual craftsman was developed by the idea of encompassing our multitude of skills we offer into one. The visual side is where we develop the concepts and visuals for your brand. The craftsman side is where we actually build what we design for our clients. Attention to detail is our number one priority. We handle the process from start to finish. This allows us to do what we do best and for you to continue running your business at its best. When you hire SEVEN, you don’t get a turn and burn service but rather a brand ambassador who will fight through the trenches with you on achieving your goals. We specialize in the following services below: Brand Development, Logo Design, Packaging Design, Apparel Design, Hand Painted Signage, Murals, Illustrations, Lifestyle Photography, Collateral Design, Art Direction, Menu Design, Creative Consulting.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
START WITH THE “H” WORD. Help. Never start with the “What can I get” mindset but rather the “How can I help” mindset. People will always appreciate you asking how you can help them before you ever ask for anything for yourself. This is how the community is built. If you are interested in something new and want to learn more, reach out to people in that field and ask them how you can help. Be open to whatever comes your way. Even if they don’t have anything for you right away, they will remember the good gesture way more than someone bugging them to get something from them. My networking has consisted of helping out other artists/designers, volunteering in communities, listening to people’s stories, and applying what I have learned to build community relationships. The great by-product of this method is the new business. Sometimes things do not need to have a direct answer. It’s an ever-evolving adventure. For me, I focus on picking up on the right signs, lessons, situations, and conversations along my life trail to then piece them together to create a solid map.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.followseven.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/7avisualcraftsman/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followseven
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCHieks2Xp0

Image Credits
All photos by @7avisualcraftsman except the Kwei Fei food menu photo by @dirtlord