What is your name and occupation?
Stephanie Smith, Founder of Sukeban Creative LLC
How long have you been a Boston Business Women’s Member?
Less than a year
What is your Instagram handle?
@sukeban.creative
Were you born and raised in Boston? If not, what brought you here?
Born on the Cape, currently live in Canton, MA.
Tell us more about your job or company and what led you to your career?
I have always loved thoughtful gestures, giving gifts, and adding personalized touches to make an event beautiful and unique. I had been helping family and friends with their gifts and events, and at their urging, decided to make a business out of it. I never realized that these things I enjoy so much could be stressful for others!
Over the past year, I have been working behind the scenes doing corporate gifting and private events. I recently launched my website, www.sukebancreative.com, which features a line of ready-to-ship gifts and outlines my custom gift and event design offerings.
What would your clients say about you and your company?
I think the feedback I get most often—and appreciate the most—is that we truly wowed the recipient, client, or guest. I ask a lot of questions to get a feel for who I’m designing for and always aim to make my gifts thoughtful, useful, meaningful, and appropriate.
In event design, I focus on creating a unique and beautiful representation of the recipient. The best feedback is hearing that we nailed it or that clients love how we incorporated elements unique to them.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
I’ve gotten a ton of powerful advice over the years, and certain things stick during certain seasons. Right now, I’ve been focusing on “start before you’re ready” and “done is better than perfect.”
I have a bit of a perfectionism problem, and sometimes it can stand in the way of productivity. I’ve really been pushing myself to launch my business, and if I hadn’t, I probably never would have felt fully ready.
What is your favorite book?
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
What is your secret weapon?
In the crafting world: Goo-Gone! It’s a miracle worker for those sticky price tags that leave behind a gooey film — and it can remove almost anything else too.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t worry so much! The great majority of things I worried about and ruminated over never came to fruition. I’ve learned that excessive worry is a form of self-torture, and the act of worrying doesn’t actually prevent bad things from happening.
How do you enjoy your free time?
Would it be bad if I said watching Bravo? Haha! Spending time with family, friends, and my dog; crafting; hiking; exploring new places; listening to true crime podcasts; learning Japanese; and yes… watching Bravo.
What is something that not many people know about you?
I know how to fold a fitted sheet — really well. It’s a random skill, but people always seem impressed. I worked as a chambermaid at a hotel growing up and mastered the art of neatly folding sheets and towels.