In my previous blog, the first of this series of six, I explained how every business has a story. And since every story has a beginning,… every business has one too. If “what” is the heartbeat of any entrepreneurial story, then “why” and “how” are the soul. Here’s a little synopsis of my business beginnings.
Business Beginnings
Before I could start a business, let alone build a business, I needed to dig into what truly mattered to me. That meant pausing, reflecting, and asking myself some real and serious questions. What shaped me in my career? What do I actually stand for within the industry that I wanted to shape and be a part of? What did my experience thus far, teach me, frustrate me, invigorate me? More importantly, how did I want to sound out in the world? By answering those questions, I had the makings of my business beginnings.
My business beginning was stitched together from curiosity, drive, and, honestly, a stubborn streak. I always questioned the usual way of doing things. Why not try something different? Why not find a way for strategy and creativity to meet without compromise? In all honesty, the stubborn streak was essential…and the curiosity also had a constant companion…sheer determination. Nothing about my path was handed to me. I carved it out, sometimes the hard way. Trusting instincts, even when it meant taking the harder route, became a pattern. When something felt right, I doubled down, even if it made things messier at first.
Business Adventure
It goes without saying that the in the beginning, you really don’t know what it’s going to take to actually start, build and maintain a business. Nothing quite prepares you. We all know the adage ignorance is bliss. When I started my business adventure, not knowing was the silver lining that I needed to keep going. I just started and off I went to take the curve balls and the outs, and the homeruns in stride.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my team. Throughout the 37 years I’ve been blessed. Key to my business journey is that I found an eclectic team of like-minded professional and quirky people who got me… who believed in my vision… and who would propel my business forward. I had one additional thing going for me that many didn’t. I leaned on my family’s and husband’s unwavering support and belief that what I wanted to do, could be done. That’s really where my brand story began.
Developing my Strategic Voice
If you’ve spent any time with me, or read any of my blogs, you know I don’t do generic. I like clarity with a bit of edge. I’m always asking another question, never stopping at the surface. Brands deserve to sound confident, not cautious. I leave out the jargon, skip the filler, and focus on ideas that leave a mark. My business follows the same logic.
I talk, write, and collaborate with openness. But there’s backbone in there too. I’m not afraid to challenge a comfortable answer. Curiosity is great, but so is decisiveness. Those two live side by side for me.
My Business Pillars
I’ve built my business by thinking a certain way and by establishing brands in a context that would enable them to achieve success. In my line of work, it gets busy…but no matter how busy things get, there are no short cuts to how we create and develop brand. Whether I’m in a client meeting, kicking off a new campaign, or up late turning over ideas, these business pillars are what I always strive for.
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Owned Confidence:
Developing brands own who they are. Not just what they sell. Confidence isn’t just a buzzword. It’s how brands grow. -
Strategic Originality:
Big ideas are nothing if they aren’t rooted in real insight. I believe creativity works best not only when it serves a purpose, but is unexpected. -
Boldness:
Vision needs a framework. Strong action. Loud Voice. . Forward propulsion. That’s when the magic truly begins.
These are the pillars I always circle back to. This is what I built my own business… my own brand with. These pillars are what drive my all my work and, honestly, what gets me out of bed in the morning.