Meet Woodley White | Executive Assistant & Shopify Web Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Woodley White and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Woodley, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I view risk in my business as a necessity for growth. Instead of thinking about risks negatively, I focus on how my future self—whom I am continually working to become—would handle the decision to take the risk. This perspective has been particularly helpful for me, especially as a top-tier introvert. I don’t like going out or being in crowded places where I have to talk to people. However, running an executive assistant business means I constantly have to interact with clients and potential clients.

Last February, I decided to take the biggest risk of my life, and it turned out to be the most rewarding. I envisioned my future self as a woman with an amazing work-life balance, surrounded by business entrepreneur friends who could offer advice and support. But last year, and in the years prior, I didn’t have that network.

When I saw an event called “The Audacity of Her” on Eventbrite, held at a restaurant (and anyone who knows me knows I love food), I battled with myself for days about whether to go. The day arrived, and I thought, “It’s not the end of the world. Let me just try it out and see if I like it.” The people I met at that event have since connected me to spaces I never imagined I’d be in.

So, to those who are afraid of taking risks: if you’re striving to reach a better place than where you are now, think about how your future self would navigate those risks. My future self would certainly be down to go out and eat with amazing people and make new friends, so that’s what I did. Even though I’m still an introvert, I now have an incredible network of corporate and entrepreneur friends who support me every step of the way.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business, Creatively We Design, is a creative agency specializing in executive assisting and Shopify and WordPress web design. We specifically help women entrepreneurs organize their businesses so they don’t feel overwhelmed by doing everything themselves. Our model is “we work with you, not for you” because I believe that if I have you as my client, I want to be as invested in your business as you are. Your business is my baby as much as it is yours.

What sets Creatively We Design apart from other creative agencies is that we are made by women, for women. We understand the unique challenges women face, such as late starts in their careers due to family responsibilities and the tendency to put themselves last. At Creatively We Design, we cheer you on and ensure that you, as a woman, are taken care of before you dive into your business. Yes, we excel at what we do, implementing systems and processes to reduce your stress, but we also emphasize the importance of self-love.

I am particularly excited about my new venture under Creatively We Design called Lady Boss Uni. Lady Boss Uni will be a learning management system where women coaches or experts in their fields can create and sell courses to other women. There are no upfront costs for the course creators; we simply take a 30% fee from each sale, and they keep 70%. This initiative was born from my experience as an executive assistant, where I noticed many clients wasting time searching for information. Lady Boss Uni aims to be a one-stop platform where women can learn from each other on a variety of topics, not just business-related but also about work-life balance, personal finances, and more. It’s a place for women to congregate and learn from one another, creating a strong community.

The journey to where I am now has been long and full of pivots, but I have no regrets. I originally started my business in December 2021 as Foodies United, a T-shirt business with food graphics. When COVID hit, I pivoted to a subscription service with food-related items. Although it gained some traction, the rising costs during the pandemic forced me to pivot again. During this time, I did gig work to make ends meet, working long hours for modest pay. However, Foodies United taught me valuable skills like creating websites, using social media, and utilizing AI.

An opportunity from my cousin led me to manage his Facebook group, which further connected me to new clients and eventually led me to executive assisting. Despite the struggles, including having just $5 across two accounts at one point, I never gave up because I knew I wanted to be my own boss and not work in corporate.

Through this journey, I’ve learned important lessons:

It’s okay if your family isn’t the target audience—they may not always be the people you are selling to and thats ok.

As a service provider, you are not an employee, and your client is not your employer. Establish boundaries and make them clear in your contracts.

Know your worth. Charge what you believe is fair because you have invested time and effort into your craft.

I want the world to know that I am a foodie at heart and will bring back Foodies United. I also want everyone to recognize that we all have unique abilities. For me, it’s about giving my time and energy to build something from scratch for passionate people. I work with women who are so passionate about their work that it’s not just about the money; it’s about happiness. If you’re looking to get rich quick, I’m not your girl. But if you want to build something meaningful for future generations, then I’m the right person for you. If you need an executive assistant or want to create or rebrand your Shopify or WordPress website, email me at Woodley@creativelywedesign.com or text me at 470-705-0525.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting Atlanta for a week, the introvert in me would likely opt for renting an Airbnb and just chilling out. But if I were to be adventurous, here’s how I’d plan the week:

Monday: I’d dedicate the day to self-care. We’d start by visiting my favorite nail artist and Russian manicurist, Sadaf, at The Dazzle Bar in Alpharetta for a nail session. Afterward, we’d grab a meal at my favorite spot in Atlanta, Kpop—a Korean barbecue all-you-can-eat place with arguably the best food on Earth. Following that, we’d head to Ding Tea, right around the corner from Kpop, for their Monster Boba with Tiramisu foam. Feeling tired, we’d head back to the Airbnb to play a game or just relax.

Tuesday: If we’re feeling a bit more athletic, we’d take a walk around the Silver Comet Trail in Smyrna, an amazing walking trail to enjoy nature. Then, we’d go out for breakfast at The Breakfast Boys in East Point—a drive, but worth it! Later, we’d visit The Oil Bar to create our own scented products like perfume, lotion, or body scrub. For dinner, we’d head to No. 246 in Decatur, my favorite Italian restaurant, and call it a day after that because post-dinner naps are essential.

Wednesday: We might visit Centennial Park, where I have fond childhood memories of playing in the water sprouts. After wandering around, we’d go to BeetleCat for dinner because they have the best lobster roll in Atlanta.

Thursday and Friday: I’d let her choose what she’s seen on TikTok, allowing us to explore new things and visit places I might not have experienced, like rooftop bars or other fun activities happening in Atlanta.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shout-out to two incredible women who have transformed my life in unimaginable ways: Diana R Patton and Cayden “web girl” Jacobs. These extraordinary women truly embody what it means to have a purpose-driven life, especially one focused on bettering the world for women. When they commit to something, they follow through, ensuring no one is left behind or confused along the way. Their genuine mentorship is invaluable—they do not expect anything in return and never bring up favors when they need something. Knowing them is truly a blessing.

To break it down, Diana Patton is a civil rights lawyer, confidence coach, and so much more. She lives by her own advice and believes that women in corporate settings deserve to be seen, heard, and valued. Despite the challenges she has faced, she remains the most positive person in the room, giving people the space to be themselves while holding them accountable. This led her to create the Rise Advocates Academy, where she teaches women to reclaim their voices, be seen, heard, and valued, not only in their jobs but in life as well. She has taught me things about myself I never would have discovered, and I am incredibly thankful to have her as a mentor and client.

As for Cayden Jacobs, she has taken me under her wing, teaching me how to run my business and see myself as a service provider rather than just an employee. She founded “The Audacity of Her” and also runs a successful WordPress website business called Impresmodo. Cayden knows many remarkable women and has introduced me to numerous individuals I otherwise might never have met. She cares more about helping others than seeking recognition and never lets anyone feel small for not knowing something.

These two amazing women are like my personal board of directors. They have significantly impacted my business and life, and I wouldn’t trade them for anyone. They genuinely want to see others succeed, and when they succeed, you succeed. I believe everyone needs a board of directors—people who are reliable and supportive, just as Diana and Cayden are for me.

Website: https://creativelywedesign.com

Image Credits
Nathaly Tabares
Cayden Jacobs
Diana Patton
Ada Negbe
Yaniah Curry