You know those moments when everyday life suddenly becomes a perfect metaphor? Well, it happened to me during my weekly laundry ritual (yes, really!).

No two humans are the same. This is an indisputable, universal truth. The same applies to those we serve in our businesses – each client is different. 

Here’s an undeniable truth: technology is advancing rapidly in all facets of our lives. Fear of our AI overlords taking over aside, these advancements are a boon for small business owners like me. Using certain apps has facilitated the branding process; they help with my efficiency and organization while working with clients. 

When starting a business, it’s easy to think, “I can do this myself,” if you don’t have the resources to invest in outside support. I’ve had several clients try to be financially prudent by hiring a designer through a freelancer platform like 99designs. Now, I’m not knocking on these platforms. However, it can be overwhelming if you don’t know how to get what you need from the designers or how to art direct them. That’s where I come in…

Ads do more than persuade a prospective customer to purchase your product – they color that customer’s opinion of your business and its values. That’s why it’s crucial to consider how you market what you’re selling.

Recently, I had the privilege of reading Gay Hendricks's The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level for Anne LaFollette’s Creative Business Mastermind. Full disclosure: it’s a bit life-changing.

I’m proud to share that I’m a Founding Member of Anne LaFollette’s Creative Business Mastermind. I had the privilege of joining this remarkable new program from Anne, a long-time client near and dear to my heart. 

Change can be a very good thing. 

Recently, I translated Anne LaFollette’s website from version 7.0 to 7.1. The experience was less bumpy than I anticipated. This update comes equipped with fantastic new features that save time and reduce redundancies. It has really stepped up to the plate.

So much has changed in our society since the advent of smartphones and social media. They’ve irrevocably altered how we interact with those around us and with the world at large. Every industry has had to undergo a metamorphosis, especially brand marketing (and I would know a thing or two about that).

A few months ago, Fast Company published a piece about multiple brands dumping their classic script logos. This includes Eddie Bauer abandoning its simple, elegant cursive wordmark in favor of a sans-serif font with a goose next to it. Johnson & Johnson also ditched its gorgeous, swooping letters for, you guessed it, a sans-serif font.

As a creative person, there’s nothing worse than feeling stuck on a project. When those artistic juices are stagnant or nonexistent, their effect can trickle over into other parts of our lives. That block is an energy sucker.

If you’re a solopreneur, chances are you drag your feet when it comes to working on your brand. You’re not getting paid to fine-tune your business, so why does it matter? So, you treat giving your business the attention it deserves as a “job” instead of the priority it should be. 

It’s World Sketchnote Day! As artists, we’re expected to have the most expensive, high-end sketchpad on the market to fill with our drawings. After all, the hallmark of a creative person is their tools, and for sketchers, in particular, you can almost always expect them to carry a sketchpad. 

The holidays bring about a host of fun traditions. They’re how we reconnect with loved ones because, let’s face it, life often gets in the way. Chances are you have some of your own, whether passed down in your family or self-made. As for me and mine, we’ve got a handful of traditions that make the holidays – and Christmas in particular – even more special.

As we near the end of the year, I want to highlight a project from 2023 that means a lot to me. That project is Corda, a jewelry line with gorgeous, handcrafted macrame jewelry. You’ll find everything from bracelets and necklaces to earrings and cuffs.

For National Entrepreneur’s Day, I’d be remiss if I didn’t spotlight one of my favorite clients (and mentors), Anne LaFollette. Anne is a creative entrepreneur who helps other creatives grow their businesses. She offers various services, from a minicourse called From Doodles to Dollars that shows creatives how to transfer their “doodles” onto products to The Pattern Design Academy, an online coaching program for aspiring Surface Pattern Designers. She even has a mentorship program for creative entrepreneurs called Anne’s Atelier. 

If you’ve visited my About page (and if you’re here, you probably have), you know this much about me. At my core, I am an explorer. That translates into a love of the outdoors and the mountains. You’ll usually find me snowboarding, hiking, camping, backpacking, and mountain biking. I love visiting National Parks. That desire for exploration, that longing for adventure, is a wellspring for creativity. 

October 25th is International Artist’s Day, and if you know me, you know how much I love art. To celebrate the creative souls who brighten our lives with their artistic magic, I want to highlight an artist I absolutely love: Andy Goldsworthy. 

It’s a great feeling when a client wants to work with you again, whether for a spin-off from their original company or a new business entirely. You already have an established relationship from the first project. You have a collaborative back-and-forth that flows seamlessly (well, hopefully). In honor of these special working relationships and National Women’s Small Business Month, I want to spotlight three women-owned businesses that are repeat clients.

Sometimes, potential clients will ask me just to create a logo for them without the expectation that I’ll do their branding. For me, a logo is more than a simple graphic. Graphics are easy to create. But a logo is usually what consumers associate with a brand or business. It’s an essential part of branding.