April 10, 2019
BBW MEMBER INTERVIEW WITH: Stephanie Smith, Founder of Sukeban Creative LLC
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 that I enjoy so much could be stressful for some people. 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 that the feedback I get 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 the recipient I am working for. I always aim to make my gifts thoughtful, useful, meaningful, and appropriate. In event design, I am always looking to make my designs a unique and beautiful representation of the recipient. The best feedback is to hear that we nailed it, or that they love how we incorporated elements unique to the recipient.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
I've gotten a ton of powerful advice over the years, and it feels like certain things stick for certain seasons. Right now, I have been focusing on the ideas 'start before you are 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 have really been focusing on getting my business launched, and if I didn't push myself 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? An app, a tool, a organization method, anything?! (Can be a personal or professional life tool)
In the crafting world: Goo-gone! It is a miracle worker for those sticky price tags that leave behind a gooey film, and can remove basically 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 did not end up coming to fruition. I've learned that excessive worry is a form of self-torture and the act of worrying does not 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; and learning Japanese. And 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 to have, but people always seem to be impressed by that. I worked as a chambermaid at a hotel growing up and mastered the art of neatly folding sheets and towels.
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