For this customer spotlight we focus on Daniel Adoff, founder of Design by Adoff. You can find Daniel on Instagram at @designbyadoff.
Provide us with a little background: How long have you been self-employed? What type of work do you do? How did you get started?
I am a graphic designer specializing in brand development. I have been self-employed for about half a year. For the other ten years I have been freelancing and working at an agency or coaching water polo.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself when you first went out on your own?
If I could go back in time the first thing that would happen is I would have a talk like the diner scene in Looper.
“…I don't want to talk about time travel, because we'll start talking about it and then we'll be here all day making diagrams with straws. It doesn't matter.”
The advice I would give myself is the same advice I give lots of people. Life is about balance. You have 3 parts to your life: social, health, and professional. It is almost impossible to get better at one without another one falling behind. In short focus more on artwork and staying in shape. I would tell myself that I would find love; I don’t need to work so hard at it. Some people are time vampires—they just take time away from you and give nothing back.
How have relationships with others had an impact on your success? Did you get to where you are by yourself or did others play a role? How so?
I never could have gotten here alone. Getting work is about 20% skill, 20% communication, and 60% who you know. I don’t want to sound like an Oscar’s acceptance speech, but I wouldn’t have been here without the support of my family, wife, teachers (George Zebot and Kaleb Wyman) and my wonderful clients.
I am always networking and meeting new people. I wish I had more time to make more connections and strengthen the current relationships I have. Alas you only have so much time.
Where would you like to be one year from now in regards to your business?
People have asked me before, "What do you want to do next year?"
I say the same thing over and over: "I want to be doing the same thing I am doing now. Just making more money at it."
I have a wonderful quality of life. I just need to invest a little more into my future. The short answer is I would like one more steady client.
How does goal-setting factor into the way you run your business?
Goal setting is a big part of my life as a whole. I like to have a big goal in mind and then break it down into smaller monthly and weekly goals.
Small steps turn into big leaps over time.
About Daniel
Daniel Adoff is a graphic designer and illustrator located in sunny southern California. Learn more about Daniel at Design by Adoff.
