Why Is Branding Expensive? (And Why You Shouldn’t Skimp On Your Brand)
Branding is often a step small business owners skim over… they hire a designer on Fiverr or a friend to design their logo + website and think they can cross “branding” off their to-do list.
I get it… it feels like there are six jillion things to juggle when you’re starting your business and branding feels like a luxurious, nonessential expense.
Even as a brand designer, I overlooked my own brand for years. And I kept burning out from trying to “keep up” in the entrepreneurial hustle. It wasn’t until I invested the time + energy into aligning my brand with my truth that I started seeing massive shifts and momentum in my business—AND felt nourished and fulfilled by the work I was doing. This is true for my clients as well.
Branding is your cheat code for a business that gives to you as much as you give to it.
To me, feeling supported in my purpose by my business is priceless. But in this post, we’ll look at exactly why branding is such a big investment… what goes into the process, why it matters, and what happens when you try to do it on the cheap.
What In The Woo Is Spiritual Branding? ✨
The “spiritual” term gets thrown around a lot these days, resulting in a watered-down word that means different things to different people.
For some, it’s specific to religion; for others, it’s a blanket term to relate to those who are aware of higher levels of consciousness.
Either way, it establishes a foundation of values alignment, which is important when finding people you connect with. This goes for business partnerships as much as personal relationships.
For me, it was the only way I could remain authentic and fulfilled in the work I desired to do in the world, after a life-altering spiritual initiation. (You can read more about that on my About page.)
Despite its somewhat vague meaning, I have found “spiritual” supportive as an umbrella term for my business. It has served as a high-level differentiator, attracting people I resonate with on a deeper level… yogis, therapists, oracles, intuitive coaches—folks I call “modern mystics.”
So here’s what spiritual branding means to me and how it expresses in my business…
Client Conversations: Branding Reflections with Jewels
I recently finished the brand strategy, logo, and brand identity design for Jewels Castellano, an intuitive life coach and business mentor.
Afterwards, she shared her experience of working with me on the transformative process of creating her brand… how things have shifted for her through this work, what she received (+ didn’t expect!), and her advice to other empathic entrepreneurs considering investing in their brand.
Celebrating 10 Years: A Look at How My Business Has Evolved Since 2012
While journaling this morning, I was overcome with immense gratitude for where I currently am in my business and how far I’ve come since starting Incandescent Creative over 10 years (!) ago.
I started this little design studio within one year of graduating college and it has been through several iterations since. I have designed, refined, and redesigned my logo and brand identity three times. I’ve worked with an array of businesses—coaches, spiritual teachers, photographers, event planners, non-profits, restaurants, and more.
I now feel very grounded in where my business is at in this moment in time. (While acknowledging that it will continue to evolve—change is the only constant.)
So, in celebration of this journey and the exploration that has led me to this point, here’s a look at how my brand has evolved through the years…
Two Simple Updates That Will Completely Transform Your Website (Before + After)
In my new audio course, Generic to Genuine, I talk about how to create a more authentic website. As I was recording the last episode about the importance of design, I realized it would be easier to show than tell…
So I decided to try an experiment.
I took a generic Squarespace theme and ONLY changed the fonts and colors. The layout and all of the content—text and photos, is exactly the same.
The difference is astounding.
The website was completely transformed by those simple design changes. Before, it was subdued and lifeless. After, it’s brimming with personality; it’s more vibrant, compelling, and inviting. (Keep reading to see the before and after!)