Member Spotlight: Akilah Thompkins-Robinson
Kingdom Driven Entrepreneurs are entrepreneurs of faith who don’t want to do “business as usual” and seek to truly impact lives and advance the Kingdom of God through the marketplace. It’s our aim to inspire and connect the Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur community and one of the ways we do that is by profiling our members!
This week’s spotlight is on Akilah Thompkins-Robinson, CEO of AKZMe Designs.
If you would like to be considered for a future spotlight, be sure to connect and engage with our Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur community on Facebook.
Tell us the basics: Your name, where you’re from and where you live currently, your family, etc.
Akilah Thompkins-Robinson, I’m originally from Paterson, NJ currently live in Clifton, NJ with my Husband and 2 year old Malti-Poo. I attended Seton Hall University for undergrad and received my Masters in Information Systems from Stevens Institute of Technology. I also have a PMP, Project Management Professional Certification and ITIL Certification
Tell us briefly about your business and when you started.
My company is AKZMe Designs, LLC. (pronounced Ask Me) I am located in Northern New Jersey. The mission of my business is to help businesses and organizations make a big impact online. Through my web design, coaching, and training services I help business develop a 3 pronged approach at building, strengthening, and boosting their online efforts. I started my business as a hobby in college and grad school where I originally learned web and graphic design; mostly designing for groups I was a part of and creating the occasional flyers and invitations. In 2007-08, I started freelancing and taking on more serious clients and long term contracts. In 2011, I started my LLC and expanded my business model from solely design, to also include coaching and training services.
What are you currently working on, launching, or just generally excited about in your business?
I have 2 great projects that I’m working on that I think will help expand our base and help as many business owners as possible – from full service to the “I just need a little help” clients. The first is my online training website, www.AKZMeWPWorkshops.com (it is beta now) which is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs, fellow designers and anyone who wants to learn WordPress. The site offers monthly webinars and soon I will be launching an online library of video training to help with all of your WordPress needs and questions. We’ll also go beyond the basics and offer training on plugins, themes, and building sites for your specific niche.
The second project is my eBook “31 Days to Boost your Business’ Online Presence.” This is based on my inbox course I launched in January and gives 31 things an entrepreneur can do to really strengthen their business online from website enhancements, social media integration, to email marketing. Following these steps will really help you get the “WOW!!!” factor when clients look at you online.
What does it mean to you personally to be a Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur, and how are you “walking that out” in your business endeavors?
My entire business is about helping others succeed and follow through with their purpose and dreams. I specifically look for clients who have had a calling to turn their passion into purpose and I do everything I can to help make that happen. I often tell prospective clients that when they work with me they are not just getting a designer to build a site, they are getting a partner to launch a dream. I give my knowledge and expertise along the way to not only have a pretty website at the end but to help make the online portion of their business flourish.
What are 1 or 2 of your favorite scriptures that inspire you?
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose.
Habakkuk 2:2-3
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry
What are 3 books that have inspired you or helped you with your business?
Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, 2nd Edition by Steve Krug. It’s all about web usability, I read this years ago and it really ignited my passion to want to help the average business have a better web presence.
The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future by Chris Guillebeau. I recently read this and met Chris Guillebeau. It gives great practical advice on how the average person can really start something big and make a life of it.
Book Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle Even if You Hate Marketing and Selling by Michael Port. This gave me great insight and motivation to go after and only work with the ideal clients.
How can your fellow Kingdom Driven Entrepreneurs help you?
I’m always looking for inspiration, input, and insight into what’s working online and what’s not. The web is an ever changing arena so I try to keep a look out for any new and emerging trends that I can use to help my clients and my readers. Also if any Kingdom Driven Entrepreneurs are in a niche that also deals with online marketing I’m always looking for trainers to contribute and partner on webinars for www.AKZMeWPWorkshops.com
What else would you like to tell us?
My ending tip for the day, if you’re not already there get on Google+, listing your business updates and post (if you’re blogging) on Google+ can really help with getting index in the search engine faster. Lastly, I’d just like to thank you for this opportunity and thank everyone for reading. Feel free to reach out for any guidance you may need with getting into the online space.
Connect more with Akilah Thompkins-Robinson:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Google+
