Business Beat — Vaughn Passionate To Help Oxford Grow

In a digital age where marketing and design go hand in hand, Jeremy Vaughn, owner and founder of Vaughn Design, is at the cutting edge. Vaughn has started his own design firm in Oxford.

Vaughn opened Vaughn Design in 2006. Oxford’s most successful and visionary businesses use the firm for logo and website design. But collaborating with Jeremy Vaughn allows these businesses to add value through marketing advantages that elevate them above the competition. Many of Oxford’s business trend-setters are on board with Vaughn Design.

It hasn’t been instant success for Vaughn. He started out working side jobs before settling in full-time at his dream job. So now, Vaughn returns the favor by assisting new Oxford entrepreneurs as well as established businesses.

“Sometimes people come to us with a new idea, with a new company or brand,” Vaughn said. “Other times, our clients simply need to freshen their image and aesthetic look. The bottom line is to get customers in the door.”

That’s where Vaughn Design can make a difference. From a marketing perspective, the confident designer believes he can get new customers in the door with an innovative approach. Then, he says, it’s up to the business owner and team to keep them there.

For inspiration, Vaughn and his team look to the Internet. Vaughn says he hasn’t built his business on tearing competitors down, but by looking inward and asking himself and his team what they can do better to make their clients better.

Art has always been a great passion of Vaughn’s. While at Ole Miss, he earned his degree in art with a minor in Business.

“When I was a senior I kind of panicked because everyone was talking about how bad the economy was and how hard it would be to get a job,” he said. “The job market is bad, but it’s not the only factor in accomplishing your dreams. If you’re passionate about something and you’re good at it, you’ll find a job that meets that passion. When I started out, I took side jobs and worked at night. At the time, all I had was an apartment and a dog. I worked very hard because I had a real love for design.”

Vaughn takes great personal pride in having a one-on-one relationship with his customers. He enjoys sitting down with clients and running ideas by them.

The majority of Vaughn Design’s clients are in Oxford — and that’s fine with Vaughn. He is developing a client base around the Southeast and nationally. Vaughn Design created ads have run in publications ranging from local newspapers to USA Today.

Oxford’s friendly environment of family owned businesses is a satisfying climate for the young designer and marketer.

“I prefer the businesses that are family owned or locally owned,” Vaughn said. “I know I can help them grow, I can make them better. Even if they’re already a great company, I believe passionately I can take them to another level — exactly where they want to go. I love working for these Oxford leaders because I can watch them grow as the community grows.”

Vaughn says he likes nothing better than to walk into a client’s store and strike up a conversation about how business is prospering.

Vaughn wants to give back to ambitious young people like himself who are looking for a break. If you’re interested in interning for Vaughn Design, go by the office located at 124 S 11th Street in Oxford just across from The Library Sports Bar. You can send him an email at info@aVaughnDesign.com or call him at 662-801-3950. Vaughn says he prefers to work with juniors and seniors. His only requirement is interns have passion and are willing to do many different things.

“My interns will do everything from going out and handing out stuff, to completing location photo shoots for clients,” Vaughn said. “I want them to get real-world experience. They’re not sitting here making copies. Just having a positive attitude is really important.”

There’s that word passion again.

If you’re a business owner and would like to learn more about Vaughn Design, visit them online at www.avaughndesign.com.

Justin Taylor, Associate Editor, Hottytoddy.com