Half the battle with starting your own small business is getting the gumption to take that first big step to decide you want to be a business owner. The other half, of course, is making sure you're taking all the right steps that will lead you to a successful and thriving enterprise. But like anything else in life, it's inevitable you're going to come across a stumbling block or two. For solopreneurs, meeting these challenges head-on and overcoming them is part of your success story. Let us assure you, you got this. Overcoming the 5 Biggest Challenges of Being a Solopreneur Take a moment to th ..read more

Making mistakes is how we learn, grow, and become better. When you're starting your own business, wouldn't it be great to have some insights from those who have trekked the path you are about to take? They say, "A wise man learns from his mistakes. A wiser man learns from the mistakes of others." The simple fact is this: mistakes will happen, embrace them, learn from them. In the meantime, learn from us. We've compiled some common mistakes solopreneurs make and how you can avoid them. If you realize you are making these mistakes now, we've got your covered. Read on for easy fixes that will ge ..read more

Marketing 101: logos are by far the most effective tool in your promotional arsenal to help you build brand identity in the marketplace. Although your logo is only one part of your overall branding strategy, it is indeed the most important one. Let’s first explain the difference between “logos” and “brands”. Imagine a stick figure. Think of your logo as your face or head, the graphical element most people will see and identify with. All parts of the body support that logo through brand strategy. One arm is your website. The other arm represents your social media channels. One leg is the sales ..read more

It used to be that a business with a product or service to sell relied on print advertising, TV, radio, or outdoor advertising to get their message out. How far we’ve come. The digital revolution has been a game-changer, greatly affecting the breath of information at people’s fingertips, the speed with which it is transmitted, and how marketers interact with their potential customers. To be a successful brand you must incorporate one key ingredient. So, What is the Secret Ingredient to Building a Successful Brand? The answer is 'Communication'. Communication is the cornerstone that helps busin ..read more

So you have a great business idea but not sure what to do with it? It may seem simple, after all, there are over 30 million small businesses in the US alone. That's nearly 1 for every 10 people! Unfortunately, anywhere from 20-25% of businesses fail in their first year. Many of those missed a step: but you don't have to. These Steps Will Get You Going In the Right Direction Figure Out What Makes You Special Your business is going to become a brand, and brands have to have guiding principles and characteristics that act as a compass, always pointing true north. What makes your business special ..read more

Staying on top of the trends as well as juggling the daily demands of brand management is a monumental task. Trying to keep your finger on the pulse of tech life with its continuous changes is impossible in the face of the 'always more' that could be done as you also keep up with the regimen of best practices: blog, respond, position, and promote. Top 4 Branding Blogs Great branding blogs offer a wealth of information, keep you connected to new progressions and emerging changes in best practices. Find the most useful and informative ones so that you can put their research to work for you. Here ..read more

Taking work home with you has a different connotation these days. Now more than ever, home is the focal point of everything in life - including work. Making the switch from office to home doesn't have to be daunting. Take the uncertainty out of the equation with the home office essentials that can make working at home work for you. The 10 Best Home Office Essentials Creating your home office space just takes a little thought, a little time, and the right assortment of tools to create a productive and comfortable working environment. 1. Functional Desk A functional desk might be the single most ..read more

Have you fallen out of love with your business's brand? Have your customers? If so, it might be time for a brand refresh or a complete rebrand.  But what's the difference between a brand refresh and rebranding? How do you know when it's time for a change? And once you've decided, what exactly are you supposed to do? Those answers and more are coming right up. What's the Difference Between a Brand Refresh and a Rebrand? First, understand that these two terms refer to making changes to your brand's identity in order to shape the way customers see your brand. The difference is in the degree ..read more

Regardless of what business you're in, success requires your business to stand head and shoulders above the rest. How can you make your business stand out in a sea of like businesses? The key is to create a strong brand identity that attracts new customers, builds their trust, and keeps them coming back. Everything from your logo to your website to the way you answer the phone is part of your brand's identity. We want you to have a strong brand that reflects the best aspects of your business. Let's find out how to do that. 7 Ways to Build a Strong Brand Identity 1: Your Logo is Your Face At t ..read more

Consistency is essential when it comes to your brand's identity. When you have more than one person or department creating collateral or marketing materials for your entity, you want to ensure consistency with your brand across all mediums. A brand style guide will allow you to communicate your brand requirements clearly and consistently. The Six Key Elements of a Brand Style Guide There are six key components of a style guide. Each one merits careful consideration and needs to speak from the heart of your company. As a business owner, you need to have a hands-on role in developing the style g ..read more