Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakeeta Carter
Lakeeta, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m Lakeeta Carter! I’m a wife, mother of 4, minister and business owner. My husband Clarence and I will celebrate 20 years of marriage in August 2024. Our 3 boys are my world and our daughter is a dream come true.
Ok, where to start… I grew up in Cleveland Heights, raised by my hard working mother. I was naturally shy and reserved except when it was “showtime” lol. I flourished singing in church, acting in stage plays and dancing with the church praise dancers. And I immensely enjoyed making advertisements for church events. I have always loved the arts but I dreaded public speaking. So when God called me to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ during my freshman year of college I said ‘yes’ with my heart but ‘no’ with my actions. I lived my life as most college students do; partying, drinking, and well ya know. What’s that song? “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll” something like that lol.
Clarence and I started dating the summer after my freshman year and he proposed before I went back in the fall. So here I was a 19 year old sophomore engaged to be married. Long story short, I got pregnant during my sophomore year and subsequently dropped out of school.
The next few years included helping to raise my stepson, learning to be a mom and wife and slowly accepting my commission from God. I preached my first sermon in 2009, 7 years after that initial conversation with God. Since then I’ve spoken at several conferences, women’s events and churches.
Because of my love for art I started taking graphic design more seriously. My husband pushed me to start freelancing on the side while working as a full-time driver at the Cleveland-Clinic. My work began to snowball solely off of word of mouth and referrals by happy clients. As a result it was hard to balance it all so in 2021 I took the leap to leave the clinic and go full time as an entrepreneur. My company DBL Design Agency has had the incredible privilege to work with many business owners, churches and organizations, both nationally and internationally.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth!? What’s that? LOL! No seriously, it has been challenging on every side. The Bible says in Psalm 34:19 that “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.”
Being married at 20 years old and making a life when you barely know what you want to do with your life and simultaneously merging that life with someone else’s has not been easy. Clarence and I essentially grew up together all while raising children. It was only by grace that we’ve made it this far and actually enjoy each other and what we’ve built together. All marriages face hardship but we’ve made through every storm together. Because of that we counsel couples and host marriage events centered around making it last a lifetime.
Being one of the first business owners in my family, it was not easy navigating the unfamiliar territory of entrepreneurship. From structure and flow carts to business taxes and client care, I’ve had to rely on my support system and ask for help in the areas where I am weak. So I hired a business coach, CPA and I take courses to help me grow out of the rough patches. Still, outside of the business aspect, I have had challenges. I discovered that fear can manifest in different ways and somewhere hidden inside me that timid little girl was still in there. Because of that, I have struggled with anxiety, as entrepreneurship can ask you to stretch in so many different ways. In difficult times I rely on scriptures that remind who I am in Christ, scriptures that speak to victory and the comfort of knowing God is with me. I also have a strong prayer circle of friends who lift me up and keep me accountable. We aren’t meant to walk this life alone.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about DBL Design Agency?
I own DBL Design Agency, a small graphic design business. We support the growth of businesses and organizations by providing professional branding, eye-catching social media content and printed marketing materials. We turn our clients’ vision and ideas into reality by giving them creative advertising options, a polished and cohesive look and more time to do what they love.
My personal niche and love is for event marketing and I love branding for churches and ministries but our agency works with all different professions and can assist with all aspects of design. From branding, web design, to printed materials and marketing, we can do it!
I think what sets us apart is the direct attention they receive from ME! You’re not talking to a member of the staff or a VA. Our clients love the personal interaction and availability I offer for them to call, email or even meet with me.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My Heavenly Father deserves all the glory! He created me with the personality, talents, gifts and ability that I have. He has given me purpose to impact the lives of those around me and all those I come in contact with. He has empowered me to make a mark! I would not be who I am without His grace.
Outside of God, my husband has been my biggest supporter and cheerleader. I seriously don’t think I would be where I am today without his coaching, encouragement, listening ear and a hard kick in the butt when I need it. What I appreciate most of all is his willingness to jump in. If I need help with a client, a project, a sermon, he helps me and has been there every step of the way. He bought me my first Mac and orchestrated my first sermon lol. Simply put, he’s amazing ♥️
My mom has also been a rock for me, She’s my voice of reason. She helps me think about things I wouldn’t have considered. I can count on her to give it to me straight. She’s honest, sometimes brutally lol but we all need that. I’m blessed to have a mother and a friend in her.
Other than that, my prayer partners Leah and Ashley, my sister-in-law April and my business coach Lorrel Churn have been incredibly priceless in this journey of motherhood, ministry and business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dbldesignagency.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbldesignagency/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DBLdesignagency
Image Credits
Murphy’s Photography
Let Art Breathe LLC
Jason Garden (@jgardenphotofilm)
