Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Koch.
Amanda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started a graphic design company – AE Design – as a junior in high school. AE Design started off making customized calendars, party announcements, graduation announcements, some really terrible videography projects, etc.
At the same time, my mom had found an easy-to-use website program that she loved (it was a terrible program, I won’t say the name of the program) and she had made a few websites for people she knew with small businesses around town.
I went to college, started in the Radio-TV-Film department, moved to Accounting and finally settled on Computer Science. It only took one Website Development course for me to know that I wanted to transition my business into a website development company. I took over my mom’s clients and rebranded my business.
The small town that I grew up in was going to have limited opportunities for me, so I chose to move to Chicago in October of 2016 to further grow my business.
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?
Not at all!
I have rebranded my business and changed the services I offer so many times in order to try to attract customers. I’m also a website developer, and an introvert, not a salesperson. If a project comes my way, I’ll do great. However actually GETTING new projects… that’s been the real struggle.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Amanda Elizabeth Design – what should we know?
Amanda Elizabeth Design is now a website development and visual brand design company. I develop custom (non-templated) websites, and design business cards, logos, and other graphical products that a business may need.
My focus is the website development. I strongly believe that EVERY business, no matter how old or how small, needs a well-designed, customized website. One of the top reasons small businesses don’t have a website is because they believe they can’t afford it. I work with them to create a beautiful end product at a price they can afford.
The thing I’m most proud of and what sets me apart is that I don’t use templates. Ever. I don’t use Squarespace or WordPress. Every single product I make is made entirely from scratch.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I work really hard at learning about my clients and developing a comfortable relationship with them. I like to believe that treating clients like friends rather than paychecks is part of my success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amandaelizabethdesign.com
- Phone: 8725888621
- Email: amanda@amandaelizabethdesign.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/amandaelizabethdesign
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
Jan Butterbrodt
January 24, 2018 at 12:54 pm
Amanda Koch does excellent work and is willing to take on difficult projects with ease and a professional attitude. This is a very good interview to highlight an intelligent, professional, organized young woman.