The women behind Agent Morphe Design share their experiences.
In my previous blog post I talked about the fact that women are now starting businesses at twice the rate as men. I was lucky enough to interview one of these entrepreneurial women, Aviva (aka Agent A), who started Agent Morphe Design with her long-term partner, Maya, in 2010.
What is Agent Morphe Design?
Agent Morphe Design is a boutique-style creative business run by two women, with one goal in mind: making businesses look good by giving them a part of ourselves, with good quality graphic design, web design and photography.
What made you start your own business?
In short, timing was right for the both of us. I have always wanted to run my own business, taking my life into my own hands and being the driver of my own destiny. I have always been unhappy working for someone else, regardless of what position I was in, because deep down I knew in my heart that something was missing, and THAT something is to run my own business.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far?
Budget, time, resources and value. Yes, it’s the lot, and it’s very true!
But we see every challenge as a learning experience to better ourselves, just as you would individually in life. So as long as we do what we love, and love what we do, and take care of ourselves, and keep on fighting the good fight, we will be ok.
How do you balance your personal life and business – especially considering you run the business with your partner?
Open and honest communication and learning to switch off…well, as much we can, that is. You can’t help but feel that things are intertwined most times, as we run our business together in a 50:50 partnership and to top it off, we are running it from home. I guess the key is trust, like any relationship in life. We trust each other that the other person is capable of doing their part, and have the other person and business in their best interest.
The other thing is that we know we are two very different individuals who bring in very different strengths and skills, and allowing each of those to shine by just being true to ourselves and honest with each other.
What is the best thing about running your own business?
For myself, it’s about taking control of my life. I can make this into whatever I want to make it into. It’s very simple, but very big!
For my business partner, Maya, she loves the freedom of it, to be in control of her day, and most importantly not to be chained to her desk.
Have you faced any difficulties with being a lesbian business owner?
Yes, although I am not sure whether it has been about us being lesbians or just women. I feel that some of our potential male clients can be judgmental at times, especially seeing that we are two women, who are also in a relationship with each other.
Where do you see your business in 5 years time?
We envision that we will still be doing something that we love, whether it will be in the form it is in now, or something else. People change and change is good. It means that we grow as people, and hopefully as a business too.
What advice would you give to our readers thinking about starting their own business?
Come join the movement! Follow your heart and your passion. When you do what you love, and love what you do, you can’t go wrong – and people who you interact with will feel this. Life is all about finding happiness and because you only have one life – make the most of it.