Featured Local Business
This was written at 4 am after a wake-up from a sick munchkin. We’ll see how cohesive this turns out. Aren’t you curious? Read on…
Our next Featured Local Business comes from perusing Instagram whilst lead hunting. And when I say “lead hunting” I was pestering people to advertise on my website’s Community Board. Why do people not like free advertising? Maybe they think I’ll spam them. Idk. Probably. Yeah, most likely.
I get it. Nevermind.
ANYWHOOO…
Akasya Crosier
Introducing Akasya Crosier LLC, a mixed media artist and graphic designer based in Buffalo, NY.
The description below is written by Akasya herself when she submitted her form for review on the Community Board. It was so well-written, I’m not taking credit for a rewrite. She makes my job easy. Also helpful at 4 am… so thanks, Akasya.
Her latest work focuses on using digital mediums to make bold and clean designs. For the past few years, she’s become drawn to typography and illustration, having a blast creating hand-lettered designs and illustrated materials for local organizations.
She currently works in Buffalo as a freelance marketer and small business owner, showing off her art online through fun video content and selling her pieces at a dozen stores in Upstate and Western NY.
Why should you care about Akasya?
Well, she’s unique and a good dancer. I’ve come across a lot of artists and creators. It’s become easy to see regurgitated work in different forms. But she’s original, creative, and goofy. Many of her posts feature her sick moves as she showcases her bold and humorous work.
Interview with Owner/Creator: Akasya Crosier
Where are you from?
Originally from Rochester, NY but have lived in Buffalo since 2013!
What do you specialize in?
Graphic design, mixed media, and social media marketing.
How long have you been in your field?
I’ve been an artist my whole life but a “working” one since about 2017.
How did you come to start your own business?
Establishing my own business was always the goal, but the path to getting there was just as crucial to the actual leap into self-employment.
I studied Art and Communications at the University at Buffalo in hopes I had chosen two majors that were broad enough to do anything I wanted in the future. I have always been an artist, but the communications aspect of it helped me apply that to something I could live sustainably on. There, I learned to love graphic design and typography, which seemed to blend art and communication perfectly.
After graduating in 2017, I accepted a role at Shea’s Performing Arts Center as their in-house graphic designer for three years until the pandemic struck.
What type of help or resources did you use to start your business?
I learned a lot at my first full-time job from colleagues who passed down valuable knowledge about all things marketing. While I started as just a designer, I picked up PR, social media, and sales skills. After I left my full-time job, I was getting the same sort of guidance from other small business owners in the area. Buffalo is such a friendly place that no entrepreneur is going to turn down a meet-up or a call to help you out.
Beyond the teachings from colleagues and other business owners, I’ve done a lot of self-teaching via YouTube videos and trips to the library or bookstore (accompanied by a yummy cafe drink). I would also recommend the Women’s Business Center for a good deal of free small business help.
What are the favorite parts of your job?
Meeting new people and learning new things every day. It’s almost like going to school again, but with immediate real-life application.
What do you love about Western New York?
How close-knit this community of small businesses and organizations is. Everyone is more than willing to stretch out a helping hand, be it by digging your car out after a snowstorm or encouraging you to follow your dreams. The low cost of living makes it a bit easier to take risks, as well. And of course, you can’t beat the Bills.
Do you partner with any other local businesses?
I have partnered with a good amount of other small businesses and organizations in a range of capacities (ie. vendors that carry my work and businesses I have designed for). These include Picasso’s Pizza, Locust Street Art, Shopcraft, Barnes and Noble Amherst, Clayton’s Toy Store, Hyatt’s, Lumpy Buttons, WNY ASI, AVA Collective, and Pine Apple Co.
Do you have any local businesses that you love (related or unrelated to your field)? Shout out to Oxford Pennant (who gave me some guidance in the early days who make absolutely beautiful pennants), Mister Sizzles, Free Street Tavern, West Side Bazaar, and Five Points Bakery.
Smaller vendors I love: Ashtronomical Art, Geologic by Calla, MM Design, Floral Forward, So Good Granola, Radiant Gangster, Cleo and Kate, Mickey Harmon, Stuffed Mushroom, Mae and Mango, Nickel City Wax and Wane, Naked Line Art, Octoblue Art, Buffalo in Love, Modern Moth, Molly Illustration, Tiny Buffalo Designs, and the list continues…
Any advice for other business owners?
Teach yourself as much as you can and don’t be afraid to ask questions to folks you look up to. You miss zero percent of the shots you don’t take, yadda yadda.
Contact Akasya Crosier LLC
Are you interested in seeing Akasya’s dance moves? Visit her on her Instagram or Facebook. Want to see all her work? Check out her Website! Want to contact her directly? Here’s her number: ((585) 200-7607 and Email: akasyac@gmail.com
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If you haven’t checked out other great local services on our Community Board, head on over there. Do you own a WNY small business and would like to be our next Featured Local Business?! It’s completely free advertising in hopes to increase traffic for great small local businesses! Please fill out a form here. We look forward to promoting you!