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

Hi Nikki, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Having success in a service industry business, like mine, all boils down to creating a cohesive and comfortable experience for clients. Often times, they are investing time and money into a rebrand or new website for the first time, and are excited but also a little nervous to have someone else step into their company to take over this project. My goal at Made by NF is to create a collaborative, approachable and fun experience for my clients, so they feel cared for and nurtured from start to finish. Establishing goals, having a strong project management system and being transparent really help with this–there’s not much left to question on the client’s end. And if I’ve done my job successfully, there’s a good chance that client will then refer other entrepreneurs and businesses my way, allowing for a wonderful marketing system yielding in ongoing client work. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always been pulled to all things creative from a young age. Before starting Made by NF, I worked in a variety of industries from fashion to wellness to e-commerce. I learned a lot from these past experiences, but I was craving something more. With Made by NF, I’m able to deep-dive into my client’s visions and hopes and help bring their story to life. Working 1:1 with a business to help them bring their vision to life is such a unique job, and I’m so thrilled I get to collaborate with brands from coast to coast.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Being from the Midwest, I get a lot of visitors in spring, fall and winter! Some of my favorite places to show friends are: Central/Downtown Phoenix — it’s where we live and there are so many hidden gems. A few of my favorites are: The Coronado, Nami, anything on Roosevelt Row, Hanny’s for cocktails. Biking to these locations is always a fun way to explore downtown too. The Farmers Market – a really fun way to experience local creatives and fresh produce. Afterwards, we could pop over to a few local boutiques such as Bunky, Local Nomad, Pueblo. Sedona — a day trip up to Sedona with a hike and lunch afterwards. And depending on the season, hiking Dreamy Draw is super convenient.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I really started to see my studio grow when I began investing in myself. There’s always a new trend or something to learn in the design and website industry, so the past few seasons I’ve been part of a Mastermind focussing on Squarespace. The founder of the The Square Design Guild, Meg Summerfield, is someone I look up to in the industry. She’s got the talent, knowledge and knack for teaching css in a way that will push you to your limits and really start to craft unique, custom websites on Squarespace.

Website: https://madebynf.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madebynf/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-fanshaw-12b69a55/

Image Credits
Photography by Made by NF Design by Made by NF

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.