MY Work
Every small business has a story worth sharing. My role is to walk alongside entrepreneurs—helping them bring those stories online, connect with customers, and shine at events. Whether it’s building a first shop on Shopify, polishing an Etsy store, planning for a trade show, or simply talking through ideas, I love being part of the journey.
These projects highlight real moments of growth: businesses finding new customers, launching with confidence, and discovering what’s possible with the right support. Each one reflects not just results, but the collaboration, creativity, and care that go into building something together.
01
SHOPIFY LauncH - Unique handmade
Challenge:
A small, community-supported boutique wanted to expand online but was unsure how to maintain their brand identity, manage shipping, and engage customers effectively—both locally and internationally.
Solution:
Built a fully functional Squarespace store with product listings, and handled payment and shipping setup. Strategically designed US and international shipping options, considering economical solutions, fraud detection, and country-specific restrictions. Implemented methods to engage customers before and after trade shows, including special promotions and targeted campaigns. Encouraged and guided the client to run social media campaigns that complemented the online store and increased customer interaction.
Results:
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Online sales increased 65% in three months
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Orders came from outside the local area, including international customers
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Special orders were encouraged and fulfilled through online strategies
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Repeat customers increased due to social media engagement
Client Feedback:
"Aki has helped turn my vision into reality—guiding me through things I couldn’t do or even think of myself. She built my website, added the details I was hoping for, and shaped it into something I’m truly happy with. She has been my biggest cheerleader from the very beginning, and I truly rely on her. Her advice is always positive and spot-on, yet she never makes me feel pressured. It’s the perfect balance, and I’m so grateful for that."
Small-Business Focus Highlight:
All solutions were tailored to a small, independent business, keeping costs low and providing personalized, hands-on support, unlike corporate approaches.
02
Etsy & Website – Vintage Clothing
Challenge:
A vintage clothing and accessories business had beautiful, original pieces but struggled with visibility and customer reach. The client initially preferred to avoid social media, limiting potential traffic. The goal was to find an affordable way to generate sales while leveraging both an Etsy store and a personal website.
Solution:
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Launched an Etsy store while maintaining the client’s website, allowing Etsy traffic to flow to the site and reduce costs.
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Guided the client on design-focused product presentation: item placement, photography techniques, cropping, number of photos per listing, and accurate product descriptions including sizing and details.
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Introduced strategic inventory sourcing from local garage and estate sales to maintain low costs while offering unique, high-quality vintage items.
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Implemented social media and online advertising to drive traffic, after helping the client understand its necessity for visibility.
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Ensured listings were optimized for search, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, reflecting the client’s brand and original style.
Results:
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Etsy store traffic and sales gradually improved as design and listing strategies were implemented.
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Repeat customers began to emerge due to consistent visual presentation and accurate product information.
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Inventory management and sourcing became cost-effective, supporting business sustainability.
Client Feedback:
"Daitai Vintage wouldn’t exist without Aki. As a small business owner, I wear many hats and Aki is the thread that keeps them on my head. She’s been my copy editor, project manager, accountant, merchandiser, and a steady shoulder to lean on.
Her knowledge and expertise have been the foundation of my growth. Aki advises the business, she supports me through her ability to balance strategic thinking with grounded and day-to-day execution.
With Aki by your side, you’re building your brand with someone who truly understands what it takes to bring a vision to life. She pulls together her community with equal parts passion and dedication."
Small-Business Focus Highlight:
All solutions were tailored to a small, independent business, helping the designer execute her vision through practical, hands-on support with photos, descriptions, shipping, payments, and even sourcing inventory.
03
Squarespace Shop – Jewelry Entrepreneur
Challenge:
A seasoned jewelry creator faced challenges after losing her business partner, making it difficult to attend numerous trade shows. She wanted to reduce trade show appearances to six major events per year while maintaining strong customer engagement and sales. The challenge was bringing her existing in-person customers online and managing international shipping efficiently.
Solution:
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Built a Squarespace website tailored for easy navigation and visually appealing presentation of her jewelry.
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Developed email campaigns using addresses collected from trade shows to encourage repeat purchases and engagement.
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Guided the client on social media strategies via Facebook and Instagram to maintain connection with customers.
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Set up order management and international shipping (focused on Japan), including fine-tuning shipping costs to account for weight discrepancies.
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Optimized the website to provide a seamless customer experience, reflecting the client’s brand and artistic style.
Results:
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Online sales exceeded what she used to earn from multiple trade shows, even when considering travel, fees, and lodging expenses.
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Fewer trade show appearances allowed more time for design, production, and personal engagement with her business.
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Customer engagement increased through emails and social media, driving repeat orders.
Client Feedback:
"Aki helped me take my business from exhausting trade shows to a smart, profitable online presence. She’s incredibly hands-on, knowledgeable, and honest about what will make a difference. She taught me strategies I never would’ve figured out alone, and I feel confident running my store knowing she’s always there if I need guidance."
Small-Business Focus Highlight:
Solutions were personalized to support a mature entrepreneur, balancing her artistic business, reducing physical trade show demands, and enhancing profitability.
04
Branding & Marketing – General Contractor
Challenge:
A local general contractor was starting from scratch, with no online presence, branding, or marketing strategy. The challenge was to establish credibility, attract quality clients, and differentiate him from cheaper, less reliable competitors in a competitive market.
Solution:
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Developed a professional website showcasing past projects, high-quality photography, and client testimonials.
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Launched marketing campaigns across Google Ads and Nextdoor, highlighting the contractor’s expertise and credibility.
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Advised the client to pursue fire-hardening certification, a valuable skill for the California market, generating new business opportunities.
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Helped him network with architects specializing in fire-hardening, creating collaborative marketing efforts.
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Implemented seasonal campaigns, educating clients on maintenance and improvement: roofing, gutter cleaning, wall repairs, and other timely services.
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Focused messaging on hiring licensed, bonded, and insured contractors, emphasizing quality over price and educating clients on evaluating contractors’ credentials.
Results:
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Received Neighborhood Award 2023 on Nextdoor for trusted local service.
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Increased client inquiries and projects through targeted marketing and seasonal campaigns.
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Built a credible, professional brand from scratch with strong local visibility.
Client Feedback:
"Aki helped me build my website, improve marketing, and connect with local clients in ways I never imagined. She’s practical, honest, and doesn’t sugarcoat anything — exactly what I needed. She pushed me to think strategically about seasonal campaigns, partnerships, and operations, and I learned more in a few months than I had in years."
Small-Business Focus Highlight:
Every step was tailored to a small local business, ensuring the contractor could differentiate himself in the community, attract quality clients, and establish a trustworthy brand without corporate-level overhead or generic solutions.
05
Local Artist – Trade Show Sales & Business Development
Challenge:
A local artist launching a new business needed support selling at a multi-day trade show, engaging customers, and establishing connections for future collaborations. Payment options were limited to cash, Venmo, and PayPal, which restricted customer convenience.
Solution:
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Physically attended the four-day trade show to assist with sales, customer engagement, and promotion.
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Implemented a Square Terminal for credit card payments, comparing different options to reduce fees and make transactions smoother for customers.
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Optimized product display and layout throughout the show to keep the booth visually fresh and attractive for returning visitors.
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Collected email lists and contact information to build a database of future clients and special orders.
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Facilitated meetings with potential business partners for collaborations, while advising the client on maintaining her reputation and carefully selecting partners.
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Provided ongoing strategic guidance to ensure the trade show experience would benefit both immediate sales and long-term business growth.
Results:
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Successful trade show with strong customer engagement and new orders.
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Built a foundation for future collaborations and business partnerships.
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Increased convenience and sales through improved payment processing.
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Developed a repeatable strategy for future trade shows, enhancing the client’s confidence and efficiency.
Client Feedback:
"Having Aki by my side at the trade show was incredible. She didn’t just advise me — she rolled up her sleeves and worked alongside me, helping with booth setup, product display, and customer engagement. She’s honest, practical, and down-to-earth, and I always felt like I had a true partner looking out for my success. Her guidance on taking orders, connecting with customers, and even testing display setups made the show much less stressful and far more profitable. I can’t imagine doing it without her!"
Small-Business Focus Highlight:
Personalized, hands-on support ensured the client could maximize sales, maintain her artistic brand, and strategically expand her business without relying on generic corporate approaches.
06
Small Business Coaching & Operations
Challenge:
I worked hands-on with the client to streamline workflows, set up practical systems, review pricing strategies, plan seasonal campaigns, and show how to use tech and AI where helpful. I acted as a partner, guiding them step by step while keeping their business vision intact.
Solution:
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Developed a professional website showcasing past projects, high-quality photography, and client testimonials.
-
Launched marketing campaigns across Google Ads and Nextdoor, highlighting the contractor’s expertise and credibility.
-
Advised the client to pursue fire-hardening certification, a valuable skill for the California market, generating new business opportunities.
-
Helped him network with architects specializing in fire-hardening, creating collaborative marketing efforts.
-
Implemented seasonal campaigns, educating clients on maintenance and improvement: roofing, gutter cleaning, wall repairs, and other timely services.
-
Focused messaging on hiring licensed, bonded, and insured contractors, emphasizing quality over price and educating clients on evaluating contractors’ credentials.
Results:
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Streamlined workflows and daily operations
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Reviewed and optimized pricing strategies
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Planned seasonal campaigns and promotions
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Introduced practical tech and AI tools where helpful
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Provided hands-on, step-by-step guidance while keeping the client’s vision central
Client Feedback:
"Aki’s coaching is practical and action-oriented. She helped me organize my workflow, price products correctly, and plan for seasonal campaigns without making it overwhelming. She’s honest, approachable, and really listens to my goals. I now feel in control of my business and confident about growth, thanks to her guidance."
Small-Business Focus Highlight:
All solutions were tailored to a small, independent business, providing practical, hands-on guidance to improve operations, planning, and workflow without relying on corporate-level complexity.