In this episode of Business Inspires, host Brett Johnson and co-host Katie Ellis sit down with the dynamic Yasmine Robles, owner and lead (self-proclaimed!) digital nerd of Robles Designs.

Yasmine shares her journey as a solopreneur to becoming the head of a growing team at Robles Designs. She dives into the ups and downs she's faced as an entrepreneur and how personal and business challenges have intersected along the way.

Yasmine emphasizes the importance of networking, building relationships, and creating drool-worthy websites for small businesses "hell-bent" on taking over the world.

She also discusses her strong values on education, team management, and the future aspirations for Robles Designs.

Networking and Business Growth: "I create relationships with people, and I get to know people around the community and in all the networking events, and my goal is to make friends because we all know that it's really hard to make friends when we're we get above a certain age. So I'm, like, if I can just make friends, I'll call it a win. And that has actually helped spur the referrals and the sales that we've gotten, and now we've grown." — Yasmine Robles

Top Takeaways

1. Personal and professional challenges are often intertwined. Yasmine Robles highlights how personal ups and downs influenced her business journey, emphasizing the importance of resilience and determination to reach business success.

2. Networking is key. Yasmine's commitment to networking has not only helped her business grow but has also enabled her to support and inspire others within her community, emphasizing the power of genuine connections.

3. Business values matter. Yasmine emphasizes the significance of providing support and education to clients, prioritizing relationship building over sales pitches, and striving to empower clients with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions for their businesses.

4. Embracing a progressive work culture. Yasmine values her team and demonstrates this through flexible work hours, unlimited PTO, and by offering comprehensive benefits, portraying a people-first approach to business management.

5. Multifaceted inspiration. Yasmine's background as an industrial designer has imbued her design process with a focus on diverse sources of inspiration, from physical objects to user experiences, driving the creativity in her work.

6. Continuous learning and adaptability. By being attuned to the latest tech trends and relying on her team for input, Yasmine highlights the importance of staying relevant in a fast-paced industry.

7. Long-term strategic planning. Yasmine's participation in the Goldman Sachs entrepreneurship program reinforced her understanding of her balance sheet and strengthened her strategic business planning abilities, providing invaluable insight into financial management.

8. Pursuing diverse projects. Beyond her passion for serving b2b clients, Yasmine is open to a variety of projects and clients, reflecting her adaptability and ability to find joy in new experiences, particularly in product-based businesses like seasonings and coffee products.

9. Ambitious yet grounded aspirations. Yasmine's vision for the future combines business growth with a balanced personal lifestyle, maintaining a remote work environment and a focus on recurring clients.

Memorable Moments

00:00 Personal ups and downs affect business success.

05:16 Corporate culture breeds competition, unlike business ownership.

08:50 Flexibility and benefits matter more than pay.

12:38 Using user feedback to improve website usability.

15:52 Personal connections and budget flexibility for projects.

18:18 Team ensures staying current with AI and design.

21:40 Exceeding goals,...