Stephanie Danforth
Stephanie Danforth
Branding & Shopify Designer
Austin, TX / Remote
www.empowered-ecommerce.com
instagram @empowered_ecommerce
instagram @steph.danforth
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I help e-commerce brands grow and scale through strategic branding and web design.”
I help up-and-coming businesses get on their feet and stand out in their industry through in-depth branding, packaging design, and web design using Shopify.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
Oh boy! It's been a wild ride. I started out my design career as a freelance web designer about 7 years ago. I love trying new things and have started lots of side hustles over the years, many of which we e-commerce stores. Some of them were a bigger success than others, but the process of building my own e-commerce brands while also serving clients has taught me so much! These days I’ve put most of my side hustles aside and am focusing on my efforts on two businesses, one direct to consumer e-commerce brand I’ve built with a couple partners to over 7-figures and growing my own e-commerce design agency to help other e-commerce entrepreneurs as they’re just starting out!
How do you stand out in your field?
The biggest thing that sets my work and my agency apart is that we’re 100% e-commerce focused. I know first hand how much goes into building a really successful e-commerce store, so my whole focus is on helping product based businesses grow and scale through strategic design.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Building my design agency and e-commerce brand keep me very busy! I have ambitious goals for both, so I’m heavily invested in both at the moment.
I still take on some 1-on-1 client work, mostly consulting and higher-level strategy type work as my team takes care of all the design work these days!
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I tend to lean towards really modern, minimalist, and luxe styles. I love working with more "luxury" brands, but I also really enjoy bold, colorful projects as well. I think as long as there's a luxe or modern style involved, I'm in.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I love calligraphy and font design. I've actually created one font already, but haven't really had time to focus on another! I would eventually love to get back into that, even if it's just more of a hobby.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
I am a classic entrepreneur type and always have a gazillion ideas whizzing around in my head that I want to bring to life! Growing businesses has been incredibly rewarding because I’ve been able to experience how much more growth you can achieve by growing a team.
I still always want to move and grow fast, so hitting stumbling blocks or not being able to move quickly frustrates me!
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I would hire a VA for sure! It’s already on the list and slated for the next few months as the business grows!
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I think from the start, I would have told myself to think more long term. I've tried SO many different things, pivoted so many times in my business, gave it up to start up other businesses. But throughout a lot of it, I had shiny-object syndrome. I was lured in my the idea of quick or "easy" sustainable income. And I think I've finally learned that nothing is truly that "easy" - business requires hard work, dedication, time and/or money, no matter how you cut it. So I think if I could have approached my online career knowing that it would be a longer-term thing for me (not just a flash in the pan to earn a few thousand bucks), then I probably would have gotten a lot of trial and error out of the way. I also probably would have invested more time upfront getting good systems in place in my business that would make it a more sustainable, profitable businesses long term.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I would want to learn more about higher-level management and what it takes to built 7 and 8 figure businesses! Having already built one 7-figure business, I have a little bit of a handle on it, but it’s all still so new to me. I want to learn how to be a great consultant and coach, and a great CEO for my team.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I’m looking to work with more businesses that are established but want to take their business to the next level through up-leveling their branding. I’m also always happy to work with new businesses just starting out who see the value in design and branding who want to start their new business off on the right foot!
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I love working with brands that are purpose-driven in some way, shape, or form. Whether that’s ethical fashion, clean skincare, or cruelty-free, I’m all about supporting brands that are doing good things and are part of making the world a better place!
I find my services and my agency’s services are the best fit for people who see the value in design and need professional help to get a solid design foundation in place.
I love working on projects where we can help design everything from start to finish - branding, packaging, and your Shopify store!
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
You can apply to work with us on our website!
If you aren’t ready to get started yet, feel free to send me an email at steph@empowered-ecommerce.com and we can chat further about your project!
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Time outside, healthy work-life balance, travel.
This member profile was originally published in April 2020, Updated July 2021.