You can absolutely choose who you want to target, speak to them directly through your brand, and build a business that gives you the independence to live the life you want.

If you had to take a guess, what do you think is the number one question I get asked as a brand consultant and brand mentor? ... My most received question, and usually the first question I’m asked is: “How do I talk about my own brand? Help! I have no idea how to describe my business.” Who can relate? 🙋🏾‍♀️ I’ll admit it, I’ve been there, too. Knowing your brand in and out leads to confidence in every business decision you make. 

Whenever I have designer’s block, a good journey down TV lane gives me everything I need to get back at it. So, today, I’m taking 3 recent shows I’ve been watching and breaking down their aesthetic into a color palette. Because I really meant it when I said TV inspires my brand design.

As we get closer to the new year, it’s time to take a breather and evaluate your blooming brand. Is it strong and growing or could it use a little love?

As I continue this wild solopreneur path, there’s one business-building concept I keep happily stumbling upon meeting and talking to people is your best marketing tactic.

The concept of branding can be overwhelming. Hell, breathing can be overwhelming when you're trying to get your business off the ground. Promoting yourself, finding clients, actually offering your service, getting paid—all these little things add up. So when you keep hearing from clients, friends, family, or acquaintances: "You should work on your brand." More “work” is the last thing you want to do. You want to sleep and a night of binge-watching Netflix with a bowl of popcorn and a tub of ice cream. But mostly sleep. 

What’s the point of being self-employed when you don’t love the clients that hire you? Running a business is no joke. It’s exhilarating and fulfilling with many ups and a few downs here and there. Hard work, late nights, and sacrifices are all part of the deal. It might sound cliché but life is too short to not love what you do every day. One of the mantras we repeat at RAW Made is live your passion. And, a big part of living your passion and loving what you do is making sure your talent is nurturing a community you believe in.

Brands are multi-sensory strategies carefully researched and designed to engage an audience with the purpose of creating loyalty. Now, what exactly does that mean? It means well-branded businesses make YOU want to want THEM and LIKE it. Branding is the ultimate bad boy effect. You just can’t get enough of them no matter how hard you try to resist. AND YOU LOVE THIS. You do. People love being loyal, because it's one less decision you have to make when it comes to choosing which supermarket to go to, what backpack to purchase, what phone to buy or what beer to order.

What’s your favorite brand of coffee or tea? We bet the first thing that popped into your mind was the image of a brand’s name or a symbol—a logo. However, when you put your hands around that warm cup, you’re not drinking a logo or a company name. With each sip, you’re being an active participant in a larger story—a brand.