Simone Bouyer

Simone Bouyer

By Staff Reports

Art Director – Graphic Designer – Web Designer

Simone Bouyer was born and raised in Chicago and has one sister, who lives in Florida. Says Simone “While everyone I knew went away to school, or traveled, I stayed in Chicago, and went to work at Ogilvy & Mather advertising right out of high school.”

At that time Ogilvy had a work-study program, so she worked in the paste-up room (before computers), “Everything got pasted onto a board. It was a great place to be — everything the agency produced came through the paste-up room. It was so much fun I stayed for 15 years!” recalls Bouyer. “While there I learned the ins and outs of advertising. I also took courses in photography, design, drafting, commercial art and 3d design. Later on I also took computer courses, learning to master Illustrator, Photoshop and Quark Express.”



“I
have lived in Mars Hill, just 20 minutes north of Asheville for 5
years. I can’t wait until I can say I have lived here for 20 years! In
the mid 1990’s my partner and I began to explore the idea of buying a
home. The more places we looked at, the more that idea grew into an
idea to buy a farm. We started to search in Illinois, Indiana and
Michigan. Being artists, we really wanted an area that had an active
arts community.”


“We had a long
list of wants, including land, an affordable house, acceptance,
proximity to a good-sized city, and all of the things a city can offer.
We traveled for about 3 years looking at other places, including TX,
CA, NM, and NY. It wasn’t until we got to Asheville, (on our way to
Boone), that we found what we had been searching for. A community that
is home to enough progressively minded folks, with an established arts
community. We found a neat old farmhouse we could afford, then headed
back to Chicago and packed our bags!” mused Bouyer.


Having managed
her own business in Chicago for more than six years, Simone was just
beginning to pull in great clients. “I knew I would be starting all
over here, and that was ok — I know the steps to take to build a
business. I calculated that it would take me about 3 years to build my
business in a new location. People are just getting to know me, to know
my work, and to refer me to other client.” say Bouyer. “Most of my
business comes from word of mouth and referrals. People want to know
that they can rely on you, and trust you — for that to happen they have
to get to know you, and that takes time.”


“With 20 years
experience, I invite all of my clients to utilize my knowledge of
advertising, market trends, and more. Although most of my work is for
small businesses, I am pleased to be able to offer big business
solutions and ideas that stem directly from my work for major companies
and publications, including Sears, Home Depot, and Spiegel Catalog. I
believe that my work helps smaller businesses, and provides them with a
better chance at success. Starting any business is a challenge, and
great advertising is one of the keys to continued success.


Keeping my rates
low also encourage small businesses to use my services. I continue to
believe that if my designs can help build your business, then you are
helping to build my business. My favorite clients are not only the ones
who pay on time, but the ones who see the value in my work. In
advertising, image really is everything,” states Bouyer. “If your
business is successful, then my business is successful. If you’re
happy, then I’m happy!”