Today we’d like to introduce you to Somalia Carter.
Hi Somalia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
My name is Somalia Carter, I’m a mother of 4, wife, entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and positive influencer. I started graphic designing in 2015. Self-taught from the school of YouTube lol My parents are both artists. I had no idea my natural creativity plus a photoshop skill would be the beginning of my new career. Initially, I was designing all the marketing materials that businesses need such as logos, flyers, business cards, websites, posters, etc. I’m grateful for the diversity in companies, business professionals, and corporations I’ve had the opportunity to work with. It straightened my design pallet to be inventive, but clean and concise.
In 2017 I designed an obituary of a little girl. It was the hardest task to fulfill. Filled with emotions that weren’t usually connected with working. She fell off the handlebars at school and hit her head. When she got home, she passed away in her sleep. The mother was quiet and almost not even on the same planet. Her friend had to correspond and finish the order. It was then I knew that if I could create something for the mother with beautiful memories that reminded her of special moments with her daughter, it would be something that could last forever. That’s how Loving Digitals LLC was created.
We specialize in obituaries for families of the deceased. We call them documents of our lineage as it keeps real-time data of family history. Loving Digitals has allowed me to give back to the community and build a family brand to leave as a legacy to my children. Climbing the entrepreneur ladder is special and the opportunities are endless. I wouldn’t change the good or bad experiences for the world. Every bad experience is a lesson, and they shape better processes. When there’s structure in the process, the business becomes less of a hustle and more of a foundation.
Through my entrepreneurship endeavors, I’ve had a car accident that broke my face (jaws wired shut, 2 medal plates), COVID-19 (30 days hospitalized while having a baby), and a stroke. In addition to the loss of my father and so many loved ones, my company and I have managed to still be standing through it all. The support that I have from my family and friends have been tremendous. The grace that God has given me is unexplainable.
In the beginning, I worked from home, my parents’ home, and a small office space. Today I have a 3,000 sq ft brick and mortar with a team and all the amenities to service my clients. Once a dream, now a lifestyle.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Learning how to console emotional customers is the a hard task in this business. You never know what emotional state customers are in. Denial, anger, sad, emotionless are the most common. The worst one is panic. We are the last process in the finalizing funeral arrangements. We usually only have a 3-day window to complete design and production. Our delicacy is high level for so many reasons. The most challenging aspect of it all is dealing with my personal life experiences while maintaining great customer service and providing a quality product.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Loving Digitals LLC?
I established Loving Digitals, LLC in 2017. Committed to delivering delicate customer service and products that keep legacies alive, I am the first African American woman to own a commercial printing company specializing in the niche of obituaries in the city of Detroit. As recognition, the first year in business she received an appreciation award from the Michigan Selected Funeral Directors Association.
I’ve also launched “School of Loving Digitals” in 2019 to educate and mentor graphic designers who desired to have the skills to thrive in the industry. Today I’m proud to have been selected as one of Detroits top three graphic designers.
With customer service care being the heart of Loving Digitals, I authored her first book in 2021 titled “The BLK Code”, a black business customer service guide. Prior to the Covid pandemic, I coordinated events that fed the homeless annually. My devotion to the community has encouraged small business owners to show compassion and pay it forward.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Network is your net worth, get out and meet people and create your own opportunities. (The 5 Ps) Preparation prevents poor performance. I wish I would’ve taken a customer service class. I’ll be offering classes soon; the minority black businesses need it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lovingdigitals.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovingdigitals/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LovingDigitalsLLC/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhgzwE_qfHg
