Acquisition International - Influential Businesswoman Awards 2022 15 May22421 Best Boutique Design Agency Director (New York): LeAnna Smith ecently celebrating 20 years in the industry, Weller Smith Design has survived global issues, economic misfortunes, natural disasters, and personal events, with each acting as a display of the company and its founder’s resilience. This is, however, to be expected from a business that arose in the aftermath of September 11th. Working as a designer in the bustling New York City publishing industry at the time, those events served as the catalyst for the reassessment of her position and her subsequent career shift. With no concrete business plan in place, LeAnna leveraged her design experience, entrepreneurial spirit, passion, and grit to leave her coveted position and enter the world of business ownership. This was a life changing decision, and thankfully, it has paid off. She began collaborating with other creatives and tech experts, gaining the opportunity to work with high-profile clients, including Food & Wine Magazine, Travel + Leisure Magazine, Artisan Books, Rizzoli, Abrams, and Weight Watchers, to name a few. Since then, Weller Smith Design has bloomed, bolstered by LeAnna’s continuing drive to see the business succeed. As a 100% female- and minority-owned and operated business, it has circumvented the ideas and expectations of women in the industry, as the design world is – for the most part – male dominated. Its diverse team of highly-talented women have brought forward a unique and often unheard perspective and is changing the face of the design industry for the better. ‘In all of my positions, I was fortunate to be surrounded by strong female leaders who not only supported other females but never R Weller Smith Design is a female- and minority-owned business that represents creativity, integrity, community, and passion. Led by LeAnna Weller Smith, a seasoned multi-disciplinary graphic designer, the company has made a name for itself in an industry that has been historically dominated by men. In essence, Weller Smith Design’s success marks the tidal wave of change that is currently flooding the design world. held me back because I was Hispanic,’ LeAnna comments. ‘Now, I think the female perspective is more welcome in industries that were formerly dominated by men. More women of color are making waves in the design community, and many are joining forces to help guide and mentor females in the creative and tech industries.’ Such change, complimented by LeAnna’s talent and dedication, has placed her at the forefront of the design industry. In 2020, LeAnna was recognized by the IAOTP (International Association of Top Professionals) as Top Graphic Designer of the Year. Putting her in the company of top executives, creatives, and business owners across the world. In addition to that, accomplishment, LeAnna was recognized by Graphic Design USA in its People to Watch 2021 edition. This highly-regarded accolade truly represents that change is taking place and that the design industry is beginning to embrace the ideas coming from women and people of color. For LeAnna, it was an honor to be showcased among many other amazing talents, including other women and people of color, in an industry magazine that she had been reading since her college days. She adds, ‘It means that people in the industry are seeing us and the work we put out into the world. To see myself and my business featured in print was a humbling and surreal experience overall.’ Currently, LeAnna is serving on the Board of Spark Design Professionals, a non-profit for design agency owners. She, and the other board members, coordinate engaging events to teach and inspire the members. She also taps into her expansive network of professional women, inviting them to present different business topics. This is something that she hopes to continue going forward. Weller Smith Design is looking forward to continue working with mission and community-driven founders to further define their brand through End-to-end brand design, publishing, and print products to amplify their impact.Furthermore, WSD is in the process of relaunching its vlog, Creatively Speaking, and turning it into a vlog/ podcast. The platform will be used to showcase how other business owners creatively approach the challenges they have faced when trying to build a sustainable business. By the end of the year, the company also hopes to have launched its new give-back model, which will be integrated into its current offerings. Contact: LeAnna Weller Smith Company: Weller Smith Design Web Address: www.wellersmithdesign.com
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