setting the foundations

Start by gathering your thoughts and breaking everything down into small, manageable sections. You want it to make sense, be doable, and measurable. Otherwise, it’ll feel like you're chasing your tail, and that will get you nowhere, fast.

Your brand is where everything starts. It’s the foundation of your entire business. It's like the thread that ties everything together, so you've got to take it seriously. How do you want people to see you? What are you about? Don’t just throw this together without much thought, you need to spend some time here and really figure out what you stand for. You need to take a deeper look at yourself too.

Here’s what I mean. Let’s go over what we're going cover when it comes to your brand:

• What are you going to call yourself? Your name matters—people need to remember it. You’ve got to make it stick.

• What about your image? That includes the photos and visuals people see of you—on your website, on social media, everywhere. You want things to look consistent, so it’s time to think about how you want to come across.

• Then there’s your story. Why are you even in this industry? What brought you here? People want to connect with you, so tell them something real.

• What values are you standing for? This isn’t just about making a quick buck. You’ve got to decide what you’re promising your clients and make sure that’s clear in everything you do.

• And don’t forget what makes you different. What’s your edge? Why should someone choose you over the next person? Figure it out, because that’s your superpower.

• Finally, how do you want to be remembered? Think about that. What impression do you want to leave on people when they think of you or your brand?

Exploring these areas and defining your brand is going to set you up for success, so don’t rush it. Go over it, step by step, and keep coming back to refine the details as they evolve.