Small Business Branding

The Problem(s)

I’ve never met people with more passion around their craft than small business owners. Launching can come with many challenges, one of which is deciding on how the brand is represented to the world. These entrepreneurs and creatives deserve a visual brand that truly represents their promise to customers and captures who they are and what makes them unique.

The Solution

As one half of a boutique brand agency, I’ve been privileged to be a part of many small businesses’ growth journeys as they either form initially or undergo a refresh to best relate to their audience’s changing needs.

Phase I: Research

In the first phase, we do an in-depth review/identification of the company, target audience, previous brand iterations, competitors in the space, and the desired outcome of the project. We achieve this with independent study and review of existing assets, industry trends and history, live calls and Q&A with our clients, and, if applicable, surveys or interviews with related parties.

Phase II: Ideation

This phase involves visual explorations, including moodboards and examples of how the brand looks and feels. In this phase, we explore brand architecture within a brand family, if applicable, as well as colors, typography, and accompanying brand elements.

Phase III: Refinement

Finally, we complete refining iterations towards a final design and package it all up (different versions of everything, for all of the most common uses and any bespoke use our clients need!), ready to be used. We can also develop guidelines for use.

MORE Examples

Click the links below each title to view more samples of the branding process.

Community Creamery, small-batch ice cream maker 
(Some rounds omitted; showing first round and finals only for conciseness, and application to business-specific assets)
Round 1
Final Designs

Idle Time, boutique candle company
(Brand Guidelines, showcasing culmination of brand package assets)
Brand Guidelines document

To see a more in-depth example of brand content/strategy, check out the CYAK story.