We had the good fortune of connecting with Sherilyn Bennett and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Sherilyn, why did you pursue a creative career?
That’s an interesting story. When I was in high school I was told I had to chose two elective classes. I know the dark ages, just hang in there with me. I remember thinking let me chose art because it can’t be that hard. I had no idea that choice was about to lead me down such an awesome path! I feel in love with art.
After high school graduation I attended art school. I graduated and began my career as a news artist at my local hometown newspaper. Shortly after that I was offered a job at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in the news art department. I took the leap from news to marketing 10 years later. News art wasn’t my passion but advertising and marketing was. I loved it! I became an award-winning designer while working at the AJC in their marketing department.
After being in the creative industry for about 20 years, I was laid off of my corporate job and I decided to launch my own creative agency, Camden Lane. The last six years has been an amazing ride! I love being a creative, I get the amazing opportunity to connect dreams with reality. I’m blessed!
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Camden Lane Creative Agency is an full-service corporate design and branding firm. I am proud that this agency boast a 99% female clientele. Not by design but I am glad it happened that way. I love working with powerful women. Our next leap is agent work for make up artist and hairstylist in the motion picture, TV and commercial industry. Our Camden Lane Artist Division will be launched early 2024.
What sets Camden Lane Creative Agency apart is we are a faith-based agency. This simply means we do things with integrity and good character. We put our clients needs first and we care for them beyond their creatives. There are times I mentor and prayer with a client. That is not the norm but it works for us.
I got where I am today as a business women, becauseI believed in my own vision. When you truly believe in what you are doing it makes it difficult to abandon ship. I knew that entrepreneurship was my calling. Have their been rough times? Absolutely, but not rough enough to make me abandon my dreams. I overcame the challenges I faced by not being afraid to pivot when I needed to and continually educating myself.
A major lesson I have learned as an entrepreneur is trust your instinct and also if I may add, know your numbers! Have a trusted CPA on your team; however be informed and educated about your financials.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Awesome! Casual breakfast at First Watch.
Shopping at Atlantic Station
A visit to Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
Lunch at Six Feet Under Pub and Fish House
A visit to the Georgia aquarium
Catch a show at the Fox Theatre
Dinner at Paschals
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am a woman of faith, so I must start there! I am grateful for every opportunity that has come my way.
I’ve had many mentors along the way who have poured into me. I have two amazing sons Kenneth (KJ) and Devonte Mack who think I am super woman, I am grateful for their love and support. Allen Carr, Jekalyn Carr’s dad truly helped me when I launched my agency. I’ve known their family since Jekalyn was 17 years old. Mr. Carr’s business knowledge was something I am grateful for. He is quite stern but when I look back on the lessons I learned from him, it all makes sense now. Just know I appreciate you Mr. Carr!
My village, my family has always been a guiding force for me. There is nothing like having an upbringing that is full of love and acceptance. I come from a family of strong, educated women. I have a tribe of girl cousins that still support me to this day. My mother Barbara, my aunts Alfreada, Peggy, Priscilla, Bertha, uncles Charles, Roland, Alvin and my late uncle Albert have always made me feel like I can do just about anything. I am truly blessed with a wonderful family. I had to name them. It was time to give them their flowers.
When you are an entrepreneur, support, mentorship and love goes a long way. I want to honor the women who use my agency for their creative needs. My agency has a 99% female clientele and I rarely have to do advertising because of the referrals of my clientele. Their loyalty and support is appreciated.
Website: www.camdenlanecreative.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camdenlanecreativeagency/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherilyn-m-bennett-192268186/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/S.MichelleDesigns
Image Credits
Main image by Antoine Jones