Ak’s Grafix & Photo is a full service marketing and branding firm, located in Frederick, MD, offering a wide variety of services to fit the needs and budget of any businesses, regardless how big or small! Their services include everything from graphic & web design, marketing & branding, social media management, photography, and everything in between.
Ak’s Owner & CEO, Acacia Bowens
An interview with Acacia Bowens, Owner & CEO
Tell us your business origin story.
Phew… this could get lengthy but I’ll try to keep it brief. I come from the nonprofit world and for anybody who has ever worked in a nonprofit you know, you tend to wear a lot of hats. One of my hats always seemed to be centered around marketing, branding, and graphic design. It wasn’t by coincidence either, I truly loved and enjoyed it, it brought me a lot of joy to be able to help organizations create beautiful materials that would be the very items that would produce funding for those in need in my community.
Fast forward to 2020, I had just moved to Maryland, had a beautiful little baby boy, and was working in the Community Outreach Unit of the State Attorney’s Office of Montgomery County, specifically their Truancy Prevention Program. The program was in place to help identify why a student may be missing school or having attendance issues and come up with a plan to help them solve said issues. We were a school based program and when COVID hit, as so many others were, I too was impacted. Our program was no longer able to operate and our entire team was transferred to different positions. I had continued to do small design projects on the side but it was when I was assigned to the Special Victim Division working with Domestic Violence victims as a Senior Legal Assistant that I realized it was time to dive head first into the side hustle that was my true passion. I took the leap and haven’t looked back even once.
Today, we are in our second year of business and thriving in ways we never thought possible. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my amazing and supportive husband who stood by me, cheered me on, and even gave a couple good pushes when I needed them. I couldn’t have done it without him. We just added our first team member to the AK’s family and hope to continue this amazing journey, we call entrepreneurship.
Ak’s Fairy Portrait Photography
What do you like most about being a business owner in Frederick County?
In business they say, “Location, Location, Location.” I have lived many places but, the Frederick community is truly like none other. From the phenomenal Chamber, to the people who make you feel like family and genuinely care about your success or failure, I could not have asked for a better place to start my company. The outpouring of kindness and support of this community is just beyond compare. I could not be prouder to be a business owner in Frederick and attribute the continued success of my business to the outpouring of love & support that never ceases to amaze me.
What makes Ak’s Grafix & Photo unique?
I’d say the thing that makes Ak’s Grafix & Photo unique is our flexibility to be able to work with any company or individual no matter where they are in their business journey. Our one stop shop for all things marketing & branding really allows us to provide an array of services. Whether you are just starting out and need help finding your branding voice and designing a logo or well established and just need help keeping up with growth or moving to that next level, We’ve Got Your Fix.
The second thing that makes Ak’s unique is our background in Psychology. We know branding goes much deeper than stunning colors, fonts, and imagery. We build brands that help you create an emotional connection with your ideal clientele through the use of brand psychology. What emotion is your brand sparking in your clients?
Ak’s Family Portrait Photography
Tell us about your community involvement.
Giving back, uplifting and supporting our community is one of the main pillars of Ak’s Grafix & Photo. We come from the nonprofit world and that means we know and understand that the needs of our community must come first. As a business owner who relies on our community to be successful, it is our duty to ensure that we rise together and reach a hand down to help those around us who may have fallen. Our business can only be as strong as our community. That’s why at Ak’s Grafix & Photo we have partnered with several local nonprofits & agencies to help them reach their goals and missions. We offer discounted rates to all registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, along with full & partial sponsorships. We have had the great honor of working with and sponsoring the Religious Coalition, Boys & Girls Club, Frederick Rescue Mission, SHIP of Frederick County, just to name a few! We continue to find ways to give back to the community.
Though in its infancy, we will be launching a new initiative called Women Inspiring Successful Entrepreneurship or WISE in an effort to help women owned businesses thrive. Stay tuned for more details.
Ak’s Headshots & Personal Branding Photography
Give us your best elevator pitch for Ak’s Grafix and Photo.
With over 7 years of experience in the field, we are experts in marketing and branding. With a wide range of services we are the one stop shop you need to make your business a success. Our creative team makes sure your brand and message is communicated clearly so that it attracts your audience. We help you build a consistent professional brand that brings your vision to life within your budget.
–
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.