Leeah Murray is a web designer in Portland Oregon who owns a boutique digital marketing agency that works with small businesses, coaches, creators & entrepreneurs to create digital strategies that grow their brand, boost sales, and increase online visibility. She is also passionate about educating those who are just starting their business and provides courses and masterminds for their growth.
What services or products does your business Meraki & Co. offer?
Meraki & Co is my boutique Digital Marketing agency. We offer WordPress Web Sites, Graphic Design, Branding, Consulting, Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Marketing. Basically all things to establish and elevate your business’ online presence.
How did you get started on your Entrepreneur Journey to becoming a web designer in Portland Oregon?
So I actually taught myself graphic and web design at the age of 13, which was many years ago now. Around the age of 19 someone mentioned that I could make money offering that as a service to businesses. I had no idea what I was doing, no business training or knowledge what so ever. I just started cold emailing businesses and offering to help them. I was very fortunate and had some really awesome experiences with my first clients. Once I got a taste for working for myself, I was hooked! Now I am a web designer in Portland Oregon and excited to be a part of the business community!
Was this business the first business you’ve started? If not, what was your first business?
Yes, it was! Back then I had a different brand name, but my brand evolved over the years and now we use Meraki & Co. Meraki is a greek word that describes the part of your soul that you put into the work that you do. It just fit perfectly.
What has been your biggest takeaway thus far on your entrepreneur journey?
That there will be highs and lows and to not take them personally or to let them stop you. Over the years I have built a great resilience to staying committed to the path of being an entrepreneur by finding a way to create my own stability, regardless of what may be beyond my control as a business owner. For me that includes multiple streams of revenue and various ways I can monetize my knowledge, so that I’m not beholden to any outside circumstance.
How do you motivate yourself to keep going and growing, when you feel like giving up?
For me, trauma therapy helped significantly! A lot of the battles I had stemmed from childhood trauma and not having the proper tools and resources needed to be a business owner. Trauma therapy really helped me find my voice, strengthen my boundaries, know my worth and not be so fearful of showing up authentically with the knowledge that the services I provide as well as my knowledge are valuable and worthy of respect. I was able to make a LOT of mindset shifts that just radically changed not only how I operate and grow my business, but my life.
What has been your biggest lesson on your entrepreneurial journey?
Honestly, there isn’t a client or a project worth stressing over. What’s most important to me is my loved ones, our mental health and my ability to create in the world, whether thats for me or for clients, from a grounded and genuine space. I shifted my focus to the awareness that I wanted to create a life’s work vs rushing from deadline to deadline. A lot of the societal constructs and expectations do not create the greatest environment for any human to create their best work. So when I started to give myself permission to trust myself enough to develop my own path and find what works best for me, I immediately saw a shift in the quality of my work and the caliber of the clients I was working with.
If you could share one truth with your fellow business owners and entrepreneurs, what would it be?
Invest in your business and treat those you do business with from a place of integrity. My biggest pet peeve is when people say, “It’s nothing personal, it’s just business”. Because business IS personal and it impacts humans in some way. Being mindful and transparent as possible when communicating builds trust and lasting, symbiotic relationships.
What exciting things are coming up in your business?
Well I’m launching this wonderful website here! I created PNWAcquainted.com as a way to connect to the local business community and offer value. Also, I am slowly building up a Women’s Networking group (https://ladieswholead.us) where I offer training and masterminds to help other women entrepreneurs and business owners grow their business.
What sets your business apart from others like yours?
I take a heart centered and holistic approach to understanding a client’s business and make only recommendations for what will work best for where they are. I am completely transparent and also take the time to educate my clients on their options and help them make educated decisions based on what’s best for them, vs. just trying to win them as a client.
What do you value the most about your local business community in Portland Oregon?
The creativity here is just off the charts. It’s so inspiring to see all of the unique products and businesses. Everyone is very friendly and down to earth. There’s a lot of stuff getting done without all of the fuss of a big busy city. It feels like people here really value the community and being able to enjoy the surrounding nature. It’s exciting to be a web designer in Portland Oregon and connect with so many talented business’!
Do you or would you like to support other entrepreneurs? If so, how?
I do! I offer mentorships and masterminds. I am also more than willing to offer whatever knowledge I can to answer questions people have if it means it helps them or their business.
What’s the most significant way a local business can impact their community and why is it important?
Definitely by being involved and contributing – whether that’s by supporting other local business owners and buying from them or by offering up what resources and connections they can. I truly believe that a rising tide lifts all ships.
What do you love most about your community?
The nature and creativity! Oregon is just lush and abundant and expressive. There are so many experiences available, and the community seems to really support each other even outside of business.
When you aren’t working, what do you enjoy doing?
I am always off exploring some part of Oregon. I honestly just like driving everywhere, specifically in the countryside. My husband and I are always seeking out new nature places to check out. I also love checking out all the unique businesses and trying awesome restaurants. There’s so much to see here I don’t think we’ll ever get bored! I absolutely love all of the upick farms and farmer’s markets.
Where would you escape to for a day trip on your day off?
With so many amazing places, it’s hard to say but I’d probably choose maybe Silverton or McMinnville.
If you had family or friends visiting, where would be the top 3 places you’d take them for food?
McMenamins, Ruby Jewel, or Papa Haydn
When friends or family visit, what is on the itinerary for sight seeing or activities?
Definitely the Oregon Coast, the Fruit Loop, and McMinnville!
Connect with Leeah Murray of Meraki & Co.!
https://merakiand.co
hello@merakiand.co
623.213.2726
