I didn't always have a strong brand. In fact, there was a time in 2015 when I was ready to throw it all out the window! At the time I was still working in my previous business "Laura K Design" creating custom wedding and event invitations and stationery. One evening I was feeling seriously DONE with it all, I looked at the clock and realised that exactly 20 years ago…

Recently I’ve spoken with several entrepreneurs struggling with their business and feeling the pressure to go in a new direction or choose a niche that deep down doesn’t feel aligned with them. They wonder why they aren’t getting the right clients, why they feel so conflicted and why their business is stagnant or even shrinking.

Over the holidays, I worked on cleaning and decluttering our basement and in the process, I came across my old journal from when I was recovering from my car accident 25 years ago.

To the outside world a brand looks like one thing. Like a beautifully decorated cake. From the outside it looks and smells delicious, but when you cut into the cake and see beyond the sprinkles and icing, it’s actually made up of many layers.

There is SO much noise. Everyday we are inundated with words, images and sounds. And we are overwhelmed with choice. And your business is lost in that mix - but it doesn’t have to be.

Today is a big day for me....it’s my ‘25th’ birthday. On November 12, 1995 I was in a head-on collision with a drunk driver and almost died. So while I lived for 18 years before the accident, I came to life on this date 25 years ago. It was the birth of the new me.

When I first started my business in 2004 I didn’t know the term Brand Architecture and to be honest, it wasn’t really relevant at that time. Not just for me, but for many other solo entrepreneurs. I had my business brand (which was me) and that was basically it.

Lauren Bennett is a naturopath specializing in fertility who came to us in need of clarity in her messaging. She reached out in the early days of Covid-19 this year because knew that she needed to use the time to work on her brand. 

As entrepreneurs, we are wired differently. We are driven to do something bigger, to change the status quo, to share our gifts with the world, and to have a lasting impact.

We recently worked with a trial lawyer based in Chicago who specializes in medical malpractice and personal injury. I know what you're thinking...and it's probably not good. When I looked up branding for personal injury lawyers these are some of the images came up...

I'll be honest, writing a book was never something I thought I would do. It wasn't something I dreamed of doing as a kid and in fact, up until a few years ago, I wouldn't have even described myself as a writer.

What needs to shift right now in your business to be able to thrive through this crisis?

You need to create a heart to heart connection with the people you want to work with. When you can connect with them on an emotional level, you have a greater chance of creating that connection.

Vulnerability is a HOT topic these days. And I see a lot of people crushing it and equally as many who being crushed by it. So how do you know which camp you are in?

December is always a time of reflection. It’s a time to see if I did what I set out to achieve this year. It reminds me of what I’ve accomplished…And it’s a reminder of the things that didn’t go well.

I’m very generous with my time and energy, and with gift-giving – when I find something perfect and meaningful for the person I’m buying for.

At the time I write this post – our entire country awaits game 6 of the NBA Championship with the Toronto Raptors and the Warriors.

So basically Canada is closed. Don’t call, don’t text…because we won’t answer. We have a game to watch.