Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Shop Feature: Ohksocialmedia, It's All About The Social!

This week's Shop feature is Ohksocialmedia by Kristy Gardner. She specializes in Blog Design. there are a few pre-made  templates you can buy if you are trying to make a few changes for your blog. Of course, you could get a total new look here and request a custom design as well. You can also get custom made blog buttons or signatures. the possibilities are  endless just contact her to see what she can do for you.  Check her out  down below for more details about her.




1. How did you come up with the Name of your Shop?

It's a bit of a play on words. I wanted something friendly and approachable that would portray the scope of my business, but still be true to me. One of my girlfriends calls me "K" all the time instead of "Kristy" and then one day it hit me: ohksocial(media). "ohk" as in Okay (friendly and casual); "Oh, K!" as in delightfully surprised at myself; social media because that's what I do = ohksocialmedia.

2. Tell us a little bit about your shop and what you think makes it unique?

My shop is the creative extension of the larger social media consulting and management firm. Essentially I do blog design and I believe It's unique because of my approach. I think blog-platform hosted websites reflect the fluidity of our culture – allowing the flexibility to shift with the times and our audience. We need to move away from traditional websites and evolve. In such, I work very hard to make sure your design reflects you more than it does me which I think is something a lot of design shops don't follow through with.




3. What is your favorite item at the store and why?

I love love LOVE doing custom work. It gets me out of my head and (hopefully) into someone elses'. Though templates are also fun because they let concepts out in the material that are stuck in my head otherwise.

4. What inspires you to create your products?

Air. Organic. Earth. The need to feel the outside, inside. Often, wine.



5. Where can we find you?
I'm in Toronto physically but I'm all over the place virtually:

Blog: www.gastronomicalsovereignty.com
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/ohksocial
Google+: plus.google.com/102630195654625325720/about
LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/kristygardner/
Website: www.ohksocial.com
Email: kristygardner@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gastronomicalsovereignty
Twitter: @mskristygardner
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/mskristygardner
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kristy_gardner

6. Do you have any coupons or discounts for us?

Soakin' Up Summer Blog Design Sale!

Get your blog lookin' fancy and fabulous before everyone comes back inside & hibernates in front of their computers for the Fall! Until the end of August, anyone who purchases something from my shop (anything! - full custom designs included) gets 10% off when they refer a friend who also makes a purchase! Be sure to message me and let me know who you both are and I'll send you each the coupon code. Act fast - design spaces are filling up quickly!

Until the end of August, I am also offering free appraisals on your social media strategies! Get your brand SEEN and HEARD by doing social media the "right" way.



7
. What advice can you give for other sellers out there for their shop? 

Build a quality product with added value, engage the "right" way, collaborate, be true to you and do it. Jump right in. But do your research too!

...Also, wine.

Now some fun facts about you:

8. What is your Favorite Food?

As a food blogger and avid chef - uh... Italian food. Fresh off the vine home made tomato sauce. Anything with cheese and loaded with carbs. Handmade pasta, delicate gnocchi, bread, bread and bread. My ass can attest to that.

9. Describe us one positive event in your life in your life that you felt was a miracle to you or that you knew the Universe was there watching over you.
I don't believe in God and I don't know if the universe is watching over me but I've felt so lucky to have "fallen" into the exact right jobs at the exact right moments. For the past 2 years I've been struggling with what "to do". I'd worked in the restaurant industry for over 10 years - each restaurant showing up at the right moment when I needed it. A kitchen job when I thought I wanted to be a professional chef. Blech. Another serving gig lined up after I realized cooking professionally is disgusting. And then after moving across Canada from Victoria to Toronto without knowing anyone or anything, I really needed a day job. BAM! Got one within 3 days of moving here. It worked until it didn't anymore and then I jumped off the deep end to start my own Etsy shop and social media company. And it's gone well so far. Better than most, I think. And while part of that has certainly been luck, I also believe that if you think positively and work hard to do what you want to do, you'll do it. Failure isn't an option and it never occurred to me that I'd need a back up. I just did it. Positive thinking paired with direct and consistent action guarantees success (and nights of total trepidation, of course).

10. What is your favorite vacation spot and why?

Barcelona, Spain. The food. Oh god, the food. The wine (liters of the stuff for 3 bucks!). The lifestyle. The beer with breakfast. The cafe con leches. The sun. The architecture. The long winding roads between the tiny buildings. It's the most romantic city in the world - for couples or friends or singles. You can get lost in its soul.

11. Anything else you like to share about you?

I'm full of crap, most of the time. But in a good way. Laughter is never a bad thing - I like smutty jokes. I swear too much. I find the joy in everything. I try to love everyone - or at least bits of everyone (not in a dirty way...though if you ask nice enough...). And I refuse to believe that we *have* to do something. Do what interests you. And when you get tired of that, discover something else. Life is too short to be miserable. Create.

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