KarlaPamanes
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Marie: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Working Moms of San Antonio podcast. We're your host, Erica Reis and Marie Schultz, a realtor and lender here in San Antonio. But most importantly, we're working moms just like you.
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Marie: now onto today's [00:01:00] episode, grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let's get started.
Erika: Welcome to this week's episode of the Working Moms of San Antonio podcast. Today I am here with our guest, Carla Poms, and she is going to tell us a little bit about herself, um, and about her work. Hi Ika. Thank you for having me. Yes, thank you for being here.
Karla: Yes. I feel like I, uh, sorry. Okay. I'll say more things if you can just ask me. Yes, no worries. I don't wanna say sorry. Yeah,
Erika: no worries at all. Okay, so can you tell us, um, a little bit about how long you've been here in San Antonio?
Karla: I've been in San Antonio for, it's gonna be three years in the summer. Oh yeah.
I, we moved from Connecticut. We were, uh. In Connecticut on and off for like [00:02:00] three years, also because the pandemic happened over there. Yes. So we were, uh, for long periods of time in my hometown New Mexico. Um, I feel like I wasn't ready to get too personal in there, but, uh, yeah. My, my, I'm originally from Mexico.
Yeah. Uh, and when the pandemic happened, um, we went to quarantine mm-hmm. To Mexico with my parents and my dad passed away, so, oh. That was like a huge, um, that's where I hit rock bottom in my life. And, uh, also because I had just lost my job for the second time. Oh my gosh. Yeah. So, but then, uh, once, that's when I decided to start, uh, on in my business.
Erika (2): Yes.
Karla: And. And I can talk a little bit more about that. But, uh, the reason why I landed here was because I wanna be closer to my parents.
Erika: Of course.
Karla: Uh, I mean, it's still not super close, but it's way closer than Connecticut. That's right.
Erika (2): Yeah, [00:03:00] that's true.
Karla: So now I can just grab the car, uh, I can be there 500 miles.
Yeah. After the events, like, uh, like nine hours. Oh, wow. So I can go check on my mom and, um. Um, probably by the time this airs, I already like went there to visit her for Mother's Day.
Erika (2): Yes.
Karla: Uh, so those little things like, um, it's nice to be able to just be closer to, to family.
Erika: Of course. Yeah. Especially after the pandemic.
I feel like we all feel that way, you know? Um, and then can you tell us a little bit about your business?
Karla: Yeah, of course. So I'm a graphic designer. I went to school in El Paso. Uh, that's, uh, a while ago in 2003. And so I graduated with a graphic design degree and I found my very first big girl job in Tennessee.
Yes. Uh, and I was like, okay, maybe I'll go there. And just a couple years of experience and a couple years turned out to be 10. Wow. That's amazing. Yes. [00:04:00] Uh, it, it was just amazing. Uh, such a great experience and a big corporation. I never, I. Like I just, it's funny now, like, um, I just don't see it that big because like, I love now working with, uh, smaller businesses, uh, me too.
So, um, yeah. So when people's like, oh my God, you work for HGTV and like the food network, I am like, yeah, but it's like, I don't know. 'cause it was like my very, very first opportunity. Like yeah, but those are huge companies. That's amazing. Yeah. So it became like normal. So I, in Knoxville, I work at this, um.
Company that own all these cable network channels. Uh, but beyond the networks, like the people, it's what made me stay. Like it was just such a great environment, uh, but 10 years in cable, it's, uh, becoming, it was becoming a dying industry. Oh. So we all lost our jobs and that's what led me to, um, my [00:05:00] next chapter in Connecticut.
Following my ex-husband's, uh, uh, job opportunity. Mm-hmm. And then, so that's when I started to get the business bug Yeah. Into like, okay. What I wanna do. Uh, because I always wanted to do something for myself, like, like a business of sorts.
Erika: Sure.
Karla: And, uh, first I wanted to teach art for kids. 'cause my son was like four years old at that age.
Uh, at the time. Yeah. Uh, but then I started to learn entrepreneurship, like online business and just realized real quick that that was probably not the, the best business to get started and that I should probably play with my strengths, uh, which were design. Yeah. And. But then it's like, okay, what specifically about design?
Uh, and that's where I landed into the branding side of it. I really enjoyed creating identities for events, uh, inside the company because, and even though like I work for this big brands, like I didn't have a say in the, in the [00:06:00] brand identity, so I just had to follow their brand guidelines. And I was like, I wanna create those brand guidelines.
I wanna make those decisions. And we did a whole rebrand on the, on the company. And that was one of my favorite experiences. It's like, okay, I, I wanted more of that. Yeah. So yeah, that's how I landed into focusing and specializing in local design, brand identity design, and then eventually, uh, incorporating web design and things that my clients need.
Uh, and I serve small business owners. They're like my favorite people. I just love being able to connect to. The founder and you know, like be closer to their mission. Yeah. And be part of their dream, I think. Like it's pretty special.
Erika: Oh my gosh. That is, I love that. So I have an art background as well, and so I love hearing this because, um, I too thought, you know, oh, well maybe I'll teach or maybe I'll work in a museum or maybe I'll do this or that.
And I too ended up doing a little bit of graphic design. Now, I, I don't, you know, professionally, but, um. There is [00:07:00] something about like, working with the person that's kind of making the decisions, right? And so, um, and really kind of nailing down what their, what their company means and what it means to them, and how you can show that sort of in a visual way I think can be very interesting.
Karla: Yes. I, uh, for me, it's my favorite part. It's bringing their vision to life. Yeah. It's like they know they're very good at what they do. They have this big. Vision of their brand or, or the current brand, and they're really trying to just take it to the next level to just be part of it and be able to visually.
Make them feel like to the part of their experience and expertise, and also the whole psychology behind it, because design, it's just not let, let's make it pretty. It's really solving a problem. We really want to be able to attract the right people, tell the right story in the simplest way. So I really love that challenge with design.
Erika: Yeah. Yeah. That's [00:08:00] amazing. Um, do you feel like you've, like, have you always been an artistic person and so you went in that direction? I.
Karla: It's interesting 'cause I, I recently, I had an interview, but it was like written interview about this and I mentioned that somehow people tell me when I was little, that I was creative.
Mm-hmm. And I think like, I adopted that personality and like, I'm like, yeah, I'm creative and you said it and I.
I was just, and I, yeah, I did feel creative, but I don't think I was exposed to a lot of creative opportunities. Mm-hmm. So. I just knew that the only career in my hometown in Mexico created like that was the most creative, was graphic design. Mm-hmm. So from the GetGo, I was like, I'm gonna be a graphic designer, even though I had no idea what it was.
Yeah. But that was it. Like I'm a, uh, like, uh, I'm a creative, I'm gonna be a graphic designer. Yeah. So I just put it that, [00:09:00] uh, there to the, to the universe and then my. Parents found out about utep, the University of Texas in El Paso. They sent my brother first and my mom is like equal opportunity for everyone.
She's like, the, the girls are going next. Uh, I have a twin sister. Oh. And I didn't wanna go. Uh, I didn't wanna move. I had my boyfriend Sure. At the time. That's um, and. I am had always been very afraid of change. Yeah. So who likes
Erika: that? Nobody, right?
Karla: Yeah. It's, but it's been a constant now in my life. Yeah.
That it's like, okay, now I embrace it. Yeah. After being laid off, back to back, um, losing my dad and it's just, um, living my relationship of 21 years is like, okay, like it's, it's just now. It feels like exciting at some point. It's like, okay, like just knowing that how [00:10:00] you not, I don't fear it anymore. It's like, okay, I know things are gonna work out 'cause everything else work out and everything.
At some point it does happen for a reason.
Erika: Yeah, no, that totally makes sense. I mean it's almost like the universe, like this whole time has been just saying like, like this is your path. And I mean I think that's probably the same way a lot of people feel, right? We kind of face. Difficult situations and you can either kind of sit in it or move forward.
Um, and so that's, I mean, it's amazing that you've gotten this far and it seems like you're doing something that you're just really loving, which I love. I love seeing you gals light up when you talk about, you know, your businesses and that kind of stuff. And so it seems like you're really kind of on the right path.
Karla: Yeah. I really love what I do and it took me, took me a while. Uh, the biggest part was actually believing it was possible for me because. I feel I, I didn't know entrepreneurship was gonna be like a whole uh, personal development journey. 'cause it really is like, it's really, you need to work in yourself [00:11:00] and your beliefs and try to just learn from others.
I always tell my students, 'cause I also teach others how to become brand designers after I figure out how to make money out of my skills and realizing that school was good, but only. School mostly taught me how to go and find a job.
Erika (2): Yeah.
Karla: And it, they didn't like really emphasize on the big problems design can really solve for a company.
So when I went into entrepreneurship, I, I learned so much about myself and, and how many blocks I had within me. Sure. And so many things that I still need to work like, I mean. A couple years ago, if you told me, Hey, do you wanna come on a podcast? I'll be like, hell no. Yeah. That's so scary. Same. Yeah. So it's really, it's been really great to just keep growing and I feel like that's a really cool thing entrepreneurship gives you, [00:12:00] because I feel like when you're at a job or I can talk about just my job experience, it just feels that, it just felt like, you know, like Groundhog the next day and the next day.
Sure. It just so. You get the opportunity to grow as much as you can and do things your way. Um, and yeah, it is a lot of work, but it's like it's yours, so it's, it's pretty special.
Erika: Yeah, definitely. Well, I'm, I didn't know that you were doing some teaching as well. Um, and so I wanna talk about that a little bit.
So of course, is it. Is it like an online class that you provide, um, to your students? Yeah,
Karla: it's a, it's an online course.
Erika: Okay.
Karla: I launch at least once a year. Okay. And in my last launch, I offered, uh, two months of unlimited uhhuh uh, support because that's, that mission is really close to my heart. Yeah. Uh, my dad was an educator and when he passed away, I just.[00:13:00]
I heard about students that came to us and shared all the stories of how like my dad helped them. Oh, yeah. Amazing. Through life and beyond the, you know, the academics. And I was like, oh my God. Like, I want to do the same.
Erika (2): Yeah.
Karla: And I already had the course in my mind, but I just, you know, I just kept like pushing, like pushing back.
And so I was like, I just, if I can just help someone, like one person, uh, and teach them all the, all everything that I know that took me over, I. 10 years. Yeah. Yeah. Way more than that. Uh, to, to figure it out. Like, and after realizing that, okay, from school, I only learned this part, and then all the things that I learned through courses or just even just putting myself out there about sales.
How, how do you present your work, how much you charge, all those things.
Erika (2): Yeah.
Karla: Software was a big thing too, because I. When I lost my first job in corporate, it was like, oh my God, like now we need to pay software for ourselves. And then I learned about this other, um, design software [00:14:00] called Affinity, that it's like.
A fraction of a price of Adobe and I just fell in love with it. Really? Yeah. And it's like, oh my God, I need to take that. You know? I feel like I need to share this with more people.
Erika: Yeah. So, um, I feel like people think Adobe is the only option. No. And I feel like that sometimes, although I will say now I use Canva way more than I ever used Adobe, but Right.
Karla: Yeah. But like for. My line of work, like, I think combat's great for producing graphics. Sure. Like, you know, social media stuff and things like that. But like for my line of work, for brand design, like, you know, when you're doing things a little bit more that you really need, like vector art.
Erika (2): Yes.
Karla: Uh, affinity is great and then it's like, okay, I, I wanna teach Affinity, I wanna teach how, and then also like, you don't need to learn all the software.
Like if you. Going through the software, like not knowing it, you can feel so overwhelmed. Mm-hmm. But like, I only use a fraction of it because Right. Just for logo design and brand identity, you only need to know certain tools. So those are the things that I teach. And as well as like graphic design, like I don't teach graphic design, I teach brand design.
I. [00:15:00] So it's only a part of graphic design, so I won't teach all the things, like I won't teach editorial. I won't teach how to create a poster. Like I will teach the basics of design that you need to know to be able to create a brand, like a brand identity, a good logo. Like what makes a good logo?
Erika: Yeah. And you're not, so these people already have to have some sort of like artistic.
Something 'cause you're not doing like color theory and that kind. I mean, you're not getting as deep as that. Or is that something that's happening? Yeah. Oh,
Karla: okay. Yeah. I'm, it's designed for, from someone who has no knowledge in design. Yeah. But it's interesting. It, but I have students that have come from, you know, people who, who do know some design Yeah.
But just don't know how to make it into a business. Yeah. How to make money with it. So I have students through all paths, like, and that's why I really wanna design it that way, even though it might feel like, okay, like I already know this, but you just never know how, like I still read about [00:16:00] like things in design.
Like I just bought a book called How Like Make. Logos for a living, even though that's, well, you make logos for a living. I already knew logos for a living. But it's like interesting to know like what other people's perspective are. Of course. Yeah. And like you just never know what you can gain from learning from someone else.
Like even if it's just one thing, it's like, okay, it can be just life changing.
Erika: Yeah, no, I love that. I mean, that sounds number one all encompassing, which is amazing. It sounds like an incredible value. Secondly. Um, I am the queen of online courses. I don't make them, but I buy all of them because, and then I buy them and then they sit in my little education part, like in my computer and I'm gonna get to 'em and I never get to 'em.
But, um, because the next one's gonna change my life, just like the next planner's gonna change my life. So I buy them all. But I feel like there's, of the ones that I have completed, which there are several, um, I feel like there can be a lot of like, gatekeeping in that industry where like, they tell you some of the things, but like.
It's never quite enough. You know what I mean? And this seems like you're [00:17:00] doing all of the things, like you're really saying like, Hey, I'm gonna show you all of these things. And even if that means we're competitors, that's okay because there's people for everybody, right? I mean, that kind seems like it.
Karla: Exactly. That's a big thing that I teach. I mean, there's no such thing as competition there because there's no one else like you. Right? So. And there will always be people who are just price shopping and that's okay. That might not be your ideal client. Right. So I teach all the things to beyond design, you know, like networking.
Yeah. Like how we ev like how we met.
Erika: Sure.
Karla: Uh, and just how all this social skills do that takes into like, putting yourself out there and building the business. And, but yeah, like I, and with the. Unlimited mentorship for two months is really like, it's no gatekeeping at all. Yeah. Like, uh, I had a student just actually yesterday asking me about like, okay, like this problem with a client she has mm-hmm.
[00:18:00] And how to resolve it. So there some, there might be some things like specific scenarios and I'm just there like, you know, one message away. Yeah. That's amazing. I love that.
Erika: Cool teaching as well. Look at you.
Karla: I, I really love it. I, that has been like the, one of the latest hardest things Yeah. Of, of putting myself out there.
'cause I feel like I did it with design, but then it's like, okay with teaching and education and it's, you do it so normally, like I just, you know, I sit down design, but when it comes to like, teach me like. It was just really hard to put it into words. It's like, I just do it, or like, how do I simplify it?
Or how do I start from the beginning from things that I just do without thinking?
Erika: Sure. Yeah. You've gotta kind of put yourself, I guess, in that student's shoes. Exactly.
Karla: Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, I, I'm really, really happy with the course [00:19:00] and, uh. Be able to be part of my students' success. And the reason why I wanted to do the support is like I actually want them to do it.
Like I want them to have like just what happens to the courses that you buy? So many and the ones that I buy to, I, you know, just knowing that I can have it forever, then you don't put a time limit. But when I put them a time limit, it's like, these are your two months where like I'm there for you. Like I, that really just helps with the momentum for them to make the best out of it.
Erika (2): Yeah,
Karla: that's a
Erika: good point. Yeah. Um, so in terms of like, you know, branding and that kind of stuff for small businesses, which is your primary client, what do you feel like is the most imp, like if someone's got a limited budget, what do you think is the most important thing that they start with? Maybe in, in their sort of brand designing?
Karla: So
the foundation of brand identity, it's like the most important part.
Erika (2): Yeah.
Karla: I even, and [00:20:00] then if they're just, some clients will come come to me and say like, I just need a logo.
Erika (2): Okay.
Karla: And I would mostly tell them, like, explain them why they need more than one logo.
Erika: Sure.
Karla: But recently I just did one like logo, one off logo project.
'cause it made sense. Like she was really just starting out and she only needed to have that logo mark. Um, it was really interesting. Uh. Um, industry, it was, um, just horses, you know, equine. Yeah. And so she just needed to put that logo on, like the photos of her horses and like, oh. Things like that. So it's like, okay.
Uh, eventually like it, she really didn't need the whole brand identity, but a business that it's growing. Definitely. It's, uh, a brand identity and I really can see like, just what you do with working mouths. Like it's, you know, it's the color. It's very, very. Specific, like we know like if it's this beautiful blue teal color, it's working moms of San Antonio and [00:21:00] just having this repetitive way, how it visually shows up, it really helps with brand recognition.
So that's what businesses need, you know, started building that brand recognition. And it doesn't have to be too intricate. Like it could be as simple as like, you, the brand that you have, like it's, you don't have like a big color palette. It's, it's simple. Uh, you have your brand fonts, you use them consistently.
I, I really believe like simple is best. Yeah. Especially if you're starting.
Erika: Well, thank you. Yeah. And that's good advice. Um, I'm big on that as well. I see a lot of companies, sort of smaller businesses sort of. They rebrand like every few months. And I'm like, you can't be doing that. You've gotta pick something that you can live in and just kind of deal with it, you know what I mean?
And, and stick with it. And so I think simplicity is probably the way to go.
Karla: Exactly. That's a, a huge problem with, you know, with trendy things. Yeah. Because then it just takes, within a year, it feels obsolete. So I always, uh, [00:22:00] advise, you know, when in doubt just keep it simple. Yeah. Or I always ask yourself, how can I make this even more simple?
Yeah. But I. Yeah. It's just really gonna help in the long run and the body of work that I do, it's, it's, the intention is to last five years or more. Yeah. Oh, that's good. Yeah. It's, we, we want to build a strong presence that like good design is timeless. Yeah. So that's the whole idea. Like it should last even more than five years.
Sure. But the only reason why it must change, it's. If your business change, if your demographic, like your target market changes, uh, or your mission. So that's when it really makes sense to Okay. Might be time to rebrand.
Erika: Yeah, that makes sense. I mean, things do change, the markets change all the time, um, depending on your industry, I guess.
And so yeah, you gotta, you've gotta be flexible, I guess, to some degree.
Karla: Exactly. And another big reason to [00:23:00] change, it's when your business has grown. Way more than when you had your first brand.
Erika (2): Yeah,
Karla: so these are my favorite projects when I help make the business look and feel to the part of their, of, of the services or level of, of expertise of the business owner or you know, or the personal brand, because this happens a lot.
It's. You know, people show up as the experts that they are, but their visuals just look like very mature. Sure. I, and that really affects a lot with credibility. Uh, and that's where I come in to just help them how to be, feel like cohesive, not just. With the service or the goods are they're doing, but also how visually they look.
Erika: Yeah, no, that is super important. I'm always like, well, and like you said, we keep our stuff pretty simple and it's because I am so afraid. Like I won't let anything out unless I feel like it looks pretty [00:24:00] professional, um, because I have a fear of exactly what you're describing. I don't wanna come off as.
Immature or like this is just sort of like, oh, she just threw something up there. And so I try to keep it simple because if you get really intricate, it's hard to also be consistent. Exactly. Mm-hmm. So that makes total sense.
Karla: This is what I see a lot with business owners who DIY, their brand and that they use Kaba and they, you know, you have on the panel on the left, like Yeah.
All the new things, all the new templates, and then they feel like they are attracted to them. Personally, but I always tell my clients you need to think as your, as your brand. Yeah. Yeah. It has nothing to do what you like. You need to separate yourself from the brand and as yourself if that design aligns with your brand, like not because you like pink and litter, it means you have to use it in your brand.
No. Like stick to your brand guidelines, your brand fonts, colors, logos, all the things that really [00:25:00] help create the visuals. And, you know, for your own stuff. Yeah. Go crazy and Yeah. Use whatever, you know, that feels right in there.
Erika (2): Yeah.
Erika: Do you have, um, do you have clients where it's, it is like a personal brand, like they are the brand?
Yeah. Many. Is that, is that, do you think easier or more difficult? Or maybe even for me?
Erika (2): Yeah.
Erika: Um,
Karla: it's, it. I don't know. It depends. It depends on the person. Yeah. Um, but I, I love it. I love a, a good challenge to be able to represent them. Yeah. I have worked with, uh, service providers, a lot of them. Um, I have a copywriter client, lots of coaches, consultants.
Yeah. Um, and. Yeah. Like even my brand, it's, uh, personal brand. It's your own. Yeah. That's right. Mm-hmm.
Erika: Yes. Oh, okay. Well then that seems like you could probably tackle that challenge as well.
Karla: Yeah, and I think, I mean, it's really important. I feel [00:26:00] like 2025, it's really big on personal brand. Yeah. Like people really want to, like, with all this ai, it's like people actually want to like, hear from like people's perspectives.
Yeah. Uh, I feel like we all, you know, can get consumed with. Content that feels educational, but like the personal brand side will, you know, give the essence of like, okay, what is their thinking? What, uh, what are their values? And people are looking for that more than, than before, I would say.
Erika: Yeah, for sure.
I feel like I have to get better about that kind of thing because like I said before, I like things to be very. Together. And so, but I'm starting to understand and realize that like probably I need to do more video and things, or I'm the one that's like talking and just, and if it's casual and if it's whatever, not so polished, then that's okay because people want to feel like they know me associated with this maybe, or a person [00:27:00] associated with their brand.
Karla: I feel like you're already doing it with your real estate business more so with that. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. So, and I. So I, I do feel like you are putting yourself out there as, you know, as your own, like the personal brand and be like, long, uh, aside with your, with your real estate business. And it doesn't have to be really like personal.
Sure. You know, like, it's not like, oh my God, we need to see why you ate for breakfast. Yeah. Uh, but just that it's enough, you know, putting your face. Out there and you know, like sharing, like I've, I can't remember what I saw lately of you, but about like how you were showing up something about real estate and like how you presented it.
Like it felt very, very warm and inviting and like, oh good. And like, it feels like for me, like very Erica.
Erika (2): Yeah.
Karla: Oh, I'm glad. And I, and I [00:28:00] don't like, I don't know you like. Like so for so long, but I can tell like your, your vibe, uh, from coming here to the events. Sure. Um. But yeah, I feel like everybody doing it.
Erika: Oh, well thank you. I appreciate that. Um, yeah, I mean, I think it's important, I should probably do it more for the working mom side of things. Um, just like you said, so people get to know the person behind the business, and I'm sure you tell that to your clients as well.
Karla: Yeah, I think that's huge. And I, I follow so many founders of big brands that are keep talk.
They're, they talk about their, um. Beyond the brand. I, um, what's his name? The founder of the Kind Bars Uhhuh, that he's, he's here in San Antonio. I, I completely, uh, forgot his name and I probably, I will butcher his last name. Um, but I just love how he talks about his journey and his upbringing. And I, I feel like those, that's the part that people.[00:29:00]
Feel really invested in a brand because it's like, okay, it's not just the product, it is not just a bar. It's like a whole mission.
Erika (2): Yeah.
Karla: And you are invested in their journey. And I think that's really beautiful and I feel it's hard for some people to put themselves out there, people who are private, but you can just do it in a way that it's more aligned to your line of work.
And in some way throw your values in there and say like, why you do things differently than anyone else. And we all do things different than anyone else because it we're like ourselves. Sure. And sometimes it's so close to us that we don't see, you know, the, or spark or what makes us special. Sure.
Erika: But I think it's important to share that.
So that's, that's great. Um, I wanna talk also about websites a little bit. So I feel like websites are becoming more important. What, what is your, how important do you feel like websites are now [00:30:00] for a small business?
Karla: I feel like they're very important. Yeah. People will always want to go and check you out.
Erika (2): Yeah.
Karla: You know, you hear of someone, the first thing you do is just Google them and you know, and see if they're legit. Yeah. And it provides some legitimacy. Right. Exactly. So that's why I think it's more important than ever. People just go and check and you out and. I actually find it really weird whenever I don't find a website.
Yeah. You know, if I find people on social media, but they don't have a website because I for some reason, like, I just wanna keep thinking Okay. Like what it's, what they do. Like what's their big, I feel like the websites, the whole menu of learning, like who you are, uh, the services that you provide, and just learning more about the business, so.
It's, it, I mean it's web websites have been, webs, have websites have been here for so long. But I feel like more than ever it's so important to have an online presence. [00:31:00]
Erika: Yeah. No, I think that's true. Um, and so when people are starting, like if you have a consultation for a website, do you advise like, Hey, you just need this to start and like you can build on, or do you advise them to do like the whole deal and like all the pages and, and that kind of thing?
Or maybe it depends. So it really depends.
Karla: Um, my, my area of expertise is brand identity design for, I really believe it's very important that you have that foundation before you build a website, right? So I won't design a website unless I have help with the brand identity or client comes with a brand identity already professionally designed, like they have a, a style guide for me to follow and be able to build a website.
Because building a website without some direction on how of how the brand looks and feels, it's just like really throwing spaghetti to the wall. Yeah. It's just
Erika: like, hopefully they like this. Yeah, exactly. So,
Karla: and it all, [00:32:00] it's rooted in strategy, so it's important to have that brand strategy backed up before you create any marketing materials.
So I, I mean, and I'm talking about. Growing businesses. You know, if you are starting, you know, just start with whatever you have. Like, just go make money. Yeah. Like, go make some money. You don't need that website just yet.
Erika (2): Yeah.
Karla: Like, go find your first client.
Erika (2): Yes.
Karla: And, and that's actually how I built my business.
Like, I, I just started with what I had and, you know, I just kept reinvesting my business. So then I reinvested like in a coach or in another program or, yeah. I just, I'm, that was a really. School game I played, uh, for my growth. You know, I knew I wanted the next thing, but I'm like, I, I, my business has to provide for it.
Erika (2): Yeah. So
Karla: that will push myself to do it, and not for my own personal money. Oh, good for you. Yeah. So I, I would always suggest, you know, you, you have a brand identity and then we move into the [00:33:00] website part of it, uh, and. Most, some of my clients can only, they only wanna start with the run identity and then they build a website.
So they have the assets and then they build it themselves. Yeah. Which that works too. Uh, sometimes we just divide and conquer. Yeah. Like I do the run identity, they do website, but then I help them with templates for social media or a PowerPoint deck. Sure. We just, we figure out and, and try to just work with their budget or.
Their goals really.
Erika: Yeah. So it's kind of a case by case basis. Yeah, definitely Basis,
Karla: yeah. Okay. So like in an ideal world, like having the branded into the website will be great, but not every business has $10,000 to invest. Yeah. So I totally understand and I just try to just work with them on what's best for them.
What do you use, um, when you're building the website? I use either Wix or Squarespace. Okay. Uh, I can build in any builder really. Yeah. Like, because. Design wise, it's the same strategy. [00:34:00] I only thing I won't design, it's, uh, on WordPress. Oh, Uhhuh. Um, and the reason why it's, that's where I very first learned about website design.
Sure. When I was at the agency in Connecticut. And I could see how it's not very user friendly and I wanna make sure my clients feel comfortable. Making tweaks to the website. I don't wanna keep them hostage of like their websites. Yeah, that's a good point. That they don't have control on how to do things.
Erika (2): Yeah.
Karla: So, and even if after being trained, it's still very, I. Not easy to navigate.
Erika: Yeah, no, I agree. I don't care. I feel like WordPress, they, it's like simple at first, and then it's like, but then you need this widget, and then you need this, and then you need this, and then you need this, and by the end you're spending so much money and I'm like, what even is this like Exactly.
It's like some weird Frankenstein
Karla: and the, and the maintenance of it, you know? Yeah. The whole thing too, like I really, I get it. Like what agencies do it because it's like, continues. [00:35:00] Continuing revenue.
Erika (2): Yeah.
Karla: But like, I don't want, like I, I want my clients to have full autonomy of their website. I want them to own it a hundred percent.
Like there are even agencies that they own the websites. I'm like, no, you buy your domain, you buy your package. Like I'll design it on it. I want it to be yours. And I'll train them on how to do tweaks and yeah, they can harm me if they need like extra things, but like my intention is for them to feel comfortable, like comfortable to make edits to, you know, do the things that you need to do to update your website.
Once your website is up. It's not, you're not to supposed to be tweaking and all the time.
Erika: Yeah.
Karla: Uh, you know, like through your blog post, you know how to remove a team member how to change little things. Sure. But yeah, I. I love the builders and I can pretty much design in any builder, but my favorite are definitely Squarespace and weeks.
Erika: Oh, good. Well that's cool. And I like that you don't keep those websites hostages, you know?
Karla: Yeah. It's, no, I just don't feel it's right.
Erika: Yeah, no, totally. That's good. [00:36:00] Um, well this has been great. I love talking about this. I love talking about branding. Um, and then, so I just wanna have you share with our listeners how they can get in touch with you for all of these services.
Karla: Of course I'm online everywhere with my name and last name, Carla PAMs. Carla with a K, PAMs, P-A-M-A-N-E-S. Uh, Instagram is my favorite place to hang, uh, but also Facebook and uh. My website, I, I blog every month and my newsletter as well, but everything's like under my website, so yeah, everywhere. Carla Poms.
Oh, perfect. That's so easy. Yeah.
Erika: It's almost as if you have your brand identity together.
Karla: Exactly. I was just gonna say, it's pretty much, it's the same thing as, it's actually part of, even though I specialize in design. Sure. Like I have so much business knowledge now after being in business for, uh. What is it gonna be now, like, uh, six years?
Yeah. Uh, I [00:37:00] always, you know, tell my clients about the importance of not just the visual consistency, but consistency in their handles. Yeah. Consistency everywhere else, like in their messaging. So even though I won't be able to help them through their messaging, like I will see those flags that I'm like, okay, like you have this, you know, this tone feels very different than in this other thing.
Yeah. So consistency in all aspects. It's so important, uh, especially through words, through message. Uh, it's really what makes people trust you.
Erika (2): Yeah,
Erika: that's a really good point. That's so true. I. Um, well thank you so much for being on today. Thank you Ika for having me. Yes. This was so fun. Me. Yeah, it was great.
Um, and then I will also thank our listeners for tuning into this week's episode, and we will catch you guys next time.[00:38:00]
Thanks so much for tuning into this episode of the Working Moms of San Antonio podcast. We hope you love today's chat and found a little inspiration to take with you into your week. If you have a podcast topic suggestion or a question you'd love for us to cover, definitely send us an email at hello at working moms of san antonio.com.
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