We had the good fortune of connecting with Victoria V. Carlton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Victoria, what principle do you value most?
Leading with compassion, no matter professional or personal, is the most important value to me. It’s simple. It’s all about taking the time to understand other people’s perspectives. If you can change your perspective in every situation, you can foster happiness and success in not only your life but those around you.

This translates into so much of my work and has been woven deeply into my company’s identity. Carlton Creative Co. is made up of individuals that are the embodiment of compassion and it is truly what has made us successful. Compassionate leadership has a sincere focus on relationship building. We take the time to listen, understand, empathize, and support each other and our clients. This allows everyone to feel respected and cared for, so they are best prepared to take action. It also helps foster diversity of thought, which helps us find shared solutions that everyone can get behind.

Leading with compassion has fostered close relationships with each one of our clients and ultimately a stronger connection between our companies. This end result is the same for my team members. As a leader, it’s not about having all of the answers, it’s about enabling those we lead to feel valued and empowered, so they can do their best work. After all, this is the ultimate definition of compassion!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At Carlton Creative Co., we are committed to developing and implementing comprehensive marketing solutions while delivering exceptional client care. We do our best to act as an extension of our client’s in-house teams by adapting to or integrating with existing company structure and working together collaboratively to reach goals. This attitude combined with our compassionate leadership style truly sets us apart from other companies.

We specialize in a wide range of digital communications from social media management, email marketing, ad management, to website development. Each of our team members brings a unique background and set of skills within the digital marketing realm.

I am most proud of becoming a certified woman-owned business in 2022. This certification helps us grow and expand our opportunities with new clients. With that growth comes a greater ability to expand our team and the services offered.

One of our new offerings, to be released in 2023, is a small business guide on digital marketing, a critical element to any business today. Many small business owners have little to no communication and marketing budget or expertise and have to “do it themselves.” Thus, it is difficult for them to figure out where to start. I believe it’s extremely important to share industry knowledge and enable others to find their own success. I want Carlton Creative Co. to provide this resource to help small businesses thrive.

The most challenging aspect of running my own business was overcoming my fear that I wasn’t making the correct business decisions. I relied heavily on my mentors to help teach me how to be a successful entrepreneur. At first, I constantly wondered if I was meeting industry standards for pricing, scope of work, time needed, etc. It took a few months to understand the inner workings of our team, what we can accomplish, and its value to clients. However, with the assistance of my incredible mentors and team members, I was able to figure out the answers to these important questions. I am grateful for their unwavering support throughout it all and am excited to see what 2023 brings!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta and its surrounding suburbs are such a beautiful place to visit! I travel to the city often and coming back to Atlanta is always such a fun time. I am a self-proclaimed foodie and truly appreciate delicious food! I’m no food critic, but finding the top-rated, authentic spots in the area is my favorite thing to do in my spare time. One of the best locations to find a wide array of options is Ponce City Market. They have an amazing food hall and you can walk it all off on the beltline afterward!

I also have a huge sweet tooth and one of my close colleagues, Pibool Koonvirarak, owns a local ice cream shop, I-CE NY that is just outside of the city in Doraville. I-CE NY is a rolled ice cream shop that specializes in unique flavors. You have to try their Mango Sticky Rice flavor – it’s to die for!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have had the pleasure of working with so many outstanding individuals and organizations throughout the years. Each has left its own mark on me and pushed me to where I am today.

I want to thank my parents and siblings who have always unconditionally supported me. My mom is an entrepreneur herself and ran a successful printing business for over 15 years. Watching her work so hard for her clients instilled a strong sense of dedication in me. My father is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met and he has always pushed me to think outside of the box. My brother and sister have also had such a huge impact on how I view and treat people since they have always instilled in me to treat others with patience and kindness.

I could not be where I am today without the support of my husband, Drew. I am so grateful to have a partner that loves me so deeply and would do anything to help me with my business. Like many business owners, I am unfortunately a workaholic. When I’m totally locked in and in the zone working, he is always the one to make sure I take a break for fresh air or have a proper meal instead of continuing to work through the day (and sometimes night).

Of course, with my husband comes an incredible set of in-laws. My mother-in-law, Michelle has helped me tremendously and plays a huge role in my business today. She has taught me so many critical aspects of the “business” side of things that I had no idea about as a communication professional. My father-in-law, Richard has always helped push me to stick to my values and not waver in them.

In the professional world, Professor Marty Parker at UGA and Dr. Merle at FSU have been my biggest mentors and have both pushed me to grow in ways I could have never imagined. Marty was the first person to push me to take the leap of faith in entrepreneurship. Without him, Carlton Creative would not be around today!

Lastly, I want to thank my incredible team at Carlton Creative. Each member has been by my side before I launched our company and has gone the extra mile to ensure that we are set up for success now and in the future.

The age-old proverb, “It takes a village” couldn’t be more spot on. An entire community of people has been by my side helping me and lifting me up throughout my entire life and I am so thankful for everyone.

Website: https://www.carltoncreative.co/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carlton-creative-co/

Image Credits
Rylie Fuline Photography

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