Christina Aldan has been in Las Vegas since 2007, founded LG Designs, “an advertising and local internet marketing company for the digital age,” in 2004. In this Q and A, Aldan offers her advice for other entrepreneurs.
Question: How did you get started?
Answer: For me, I kind of fell into entrepreneurship without any experience whatsoever, and I realized that I was building everyone else’s castle and I had the skills to build mine. So that’s what I did, I just went out and decided to take my hobby, web design, and make it into a business and start as a “solopreneur.”
Q: Knowing what you know now, what do you wish you had known when you started?
A: Initially, I tried to do things on my own because I was too embarrassed (to ask for help). I (wish I) would have known earlier and sooner to ask for help and collaborate more, because once I really started collaborating, once I started hosting my monthly mentorship group, that’s when I really took off.
Q: How have you become successful?
A: Well, as a solopreneur I defined my goals and expectations early on. I knew I didn’t want to be tied to a brick-and-mortar location. I set a plan that prioritized freedom to travel over world domination and heaps of money. I set my company core values early on so anything that doesn’t fit those values or goals doesn’t make it into our work flow. I constantly adapt and re-assess my progress. “What is working? What isn’t? Am I about to suffer from burnout? Is this an efficient use of my time or can I delegate the task? Am I setting a good example of work-life integration?” I built a tribe of supporters and collaborators who have strength where I am challenged. I have a tendency to overwork and early on, I used to over-commit and had trouble asking for help, which manifested into carpel tunnel syndrome. With the help of trusted mentors, subcontractors, and friends, I have been able to begin healing my hands because I assessed that I needed to work smarter, not harder.
Q: What’s the next big thing?
A: Drones.
Fun fact?
I got a very generous D+ in computers in college. I studied chemical engineering and my degree is in ecology and environmental sciences. So for me to be running a digital advertising agency — I never would have ever guessed (it)! Sometimes I look around and go, “Who put me in charge?” and then I remember, “Oh yeah, I have the experience, I have the skills, I have the team and I have the support, and it’s OK.”
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