Branding and marketing are those sisters who look a lot a like and some people (who don’t know them well) can’t tell them apart.

But I’m here to tell you, while they can be compatible with each other, they are COMPLETELY different. As you’re growing your small business it’s really important that you know the difference between the two so you can capitalize on both.

Today is very special because it’s launch day for the Pretty Planner Co rebrand! Pretty Planner Co is a modern luxe planning company providing products to design an intentional and pretty life. Right now Pretty Planner Co offers a wide variety of custom planners that infuse style and color into your world as you plan out your days. Krystle is the powerhouse owner behind this company and it was such a dream to work together. Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of the development process and how we got to the final designs.

Branding your business, or setting up your website is a big undertaking and finding the right person to help you bring your vision to life is no small task. That’s why I’m excited to share several things you can do to make the process easier - AND you can start NOW, rather than down the line when you want your website up next week. 

Ya know those brands that you just adore? Perhaps Starbucks, Target, Magnolia… there are some brands that have built a solid reputation and have raving fans and you can’t help but sing their praises. But how does one build a personal brand that people can fall in love with just as much as those bigger brands? Stick around, I have a roadmap for how you - as the face of your brand and business - can grow a dedicated audience that people are sure to follow along with.

I still remember those crack-of-dawn early mornings at my day job, with steaming coffee in hand at my computer, with one tab open on my work and the other tab open reading the blog of a designer I admired who was doing exactly what I wanted to do: branding and website design while working from home. Yawning, I would think, “I can do this.” But how?

I’m so excited to share with you a behind the scenes peek of the brand and website development for Desi Creswell. Desi is a Certified Life and Business Coach who helps interior designers stop feeling overwhelmed so they can intentionally build profitable, fulfilling businesses that enrich and support their lives as a whole. While she already had an established online presence she wanted something that could more accurately reflect her growth, maturity, personality, and the calm, steady energy she brings to her clients. I’m delighted to report we achieved just that - but let’s take a look at how we got there.

Before I get carried away with January goal-setting, I love looking back on the year that passed and gain perspective, write down lessons learned, and celebrate all the wonderful things that took place. 

Back in the day, growing your SEO sounded like something you needed to hire experts for. It was that mythical, vague thing that happens only if you have the right support, and enough money.

Hope Releasers helps the loved ones of addicts find hope in God and community. Founded by Melanie who is a recovery coach, this business aims at helping people who are in the midst of struggling with a loved one who is an addict. When Melanie approached me about working together, honestly I was honored and humbled. I believe this mission will help so many people in the world and I was thrilled to be apart. Melanie had tried for 2 years to create the brand and website she envisioned but without getting the results she wanted…

I am so excited to share with you all about my Design Day Intensive but from the perspective of my client who actually went through the experience herself! For a little backstory, my Dedicated Design Day service is all about completing your design to-dos in just one day. This is perfect for any small business needing a little help!

I am thrilled to shine a spotlight on the recent website launch of Whole Body Health and Healing! Lauren is the founder of Whole Body Health and Healing and is on a mission to help people heal their bodies naturally who struggle with chronic illness through nutrition and movement. What an incredible mission and I was so happy to be apart of it and help Lauren’s vision for her site and work come to life.

Have you noticed that one year in an online business is like three years in the outside world? It’s true! If you’re new to the online space that may come as a surprise. But if you’ve been here awhile you’re probably nodding along with me. Things move quickly online and that’s why a year can feel like a reeeaaalllllyyy long time. And if you’re in the online business world for more than five years you can feel ancient! (I know I do! Especially talking about how blogging used to be back in 2016).

Does the idea of reworking your website or sitting down to Canva to create an opt-in seem completely overwhelming? I understand the feeling. Making a huge improvement in our small business behind the scenes can seem so huge and so daunting that what can end up happening is putting your own small business on hold, and deciding you’ll get to it “one day.”

Before we dive in, I think it’s important to address that success is different for everyone. No two people have the same definition of success and it’s really important to get clear on what success is to you. 

Instagram is my favorite social media platform for lots of reasons but mainly because I connect with so many amazing people on the platform. Back when I first started my business in 2016 is also when I started my IG account and some of the people I met back then are still friends to this day!

Sometimes, the people I connect with online become friends, and sometimes in a wonderful twist of luck those friends turn into clients and that’s exactly what happened with Kym. We met on Instagram around 4 years ago when I was just beginning my business so when she came to me wanting to create a visual identity and website for her health and wellness brand, I was SO excited!

During the last several years, Squarespace introduced an updated version of their interface, 7.1 and they made so many significant changes, the only way to update your current Squarespace site is to start over from scratch on the new version.

Today is the brand and website launch for iiM! This project has been different than many of my other projects, due to the fact that iiM is a bigger company and in the tech arena, quite a departure from working with my woman solopreneur! But it was a wonderful creative challenge and I’m excited to share about this project!

I’m a brand and website designer and the clients I work with are ambitious, dive-in-head-first, go-getters and I love that about them. So when it comes to designing a website for them that works with their goals and how they operate, choosing Squarespace is a no-brainer.

I am SO excited to announce that today is the brand launch for Health is PowHer! A wellness community lead by the incredible and talented Anna Esparham, MD.