I recently wrote a blog about some considerations small business owners should make when developing their personal brand. A personal brand is hugely important when starting out, a well nurtured personal brand goes along way to supporting your business brand. I also made a suggestion that during the early days focusing on a logo is not a must do and that at some point your business may warrant one.
Recently I had a great conversation with a fellow business owner in France who wanted some advice on developing his business, which I was more than happy to do. The amazing thing about the world of business, is that you just don't know who knows who and I was having a chat with the nephew of a great friend back in the UK, Jace Peacock-Reid.
Jace lives and works in France and I was already a fan of his Facebook page www.facebook.com/innateformweddings and love his style that flows seamlessly through his photographic work. With website and graphic design now part of his repertoire, these skills certainly complement his photography work - www.facebook.com/innateform
It was during our exploratory conversation that there was a real connection, what you see in Jace's photographic work conveys in conversation too. I felt there was a cosmic alignment that meant it felt right for Jace to explore a logo for my business.
I took this opportunity to look at how my business had developed over the last 4 years since moving to France. My business is about marketing through social media, but there are many other facets of running a business that lend themselves naturally to marketing. I am passionate about helping fellow small business owners in France. Having been self employed in the UK before moving to France and understanding a lot of principles and skills needed to run a business, I am very aware of the frustrations that are part and parcel of setting up a business in France, getting business on board and maintaining awareness.
For me, the glass is always half full or filling up and I see challenges as opportunities, that have silver linings. I have no qualms in sharing what I know with people. It is important that people can work towards success and it is very fulfilling to help shape or contribute to that success. I have my fair share of challenges as a small business owner and have my weaknesses too but I don't let them get in the way of what can be achieved. My motto is always no point worrying about it, where there's a will, there's a way and give the problem the mental energy that is needed to overcome it.
I also love nature. One of the reasons I love living here in France... it's full of trees. I love looking at them. I love driving through miles of countryside seeing acres of trees. I never get bored of them whatever the season. And when my husband and I purchased a house earlier this year, what a lucky lady I was to have so many of them in the garden. Trees are great teachers. When I explored my logo I wanted the oak tree in particular to be part of that process.
The process of finalising my logo was completely different to what I had expected. Little did I know that I would be quite finite on little detail. I have to say at this point, I did ask for some help in fine tuning and I am very glad that I asked for that help. The logo is a personal thing when you are a small business owner – you want it to incorporate you, your business, what you stand for, but at the same time, it needs to appeal to your potential audience. When I asked for reactions to my draft, I was amazed at how a lot of the audience got it, but also how many didn't. Seeing something entirely different to what I wanted to convey. Was that because they don't know me? Or was it because that is literally what they saw? You find yourself getting quite territorial about the logo but at the same time you need to let go and be open minded at the reactions of others.
I focused on the points that resonated with me and what I felt my business stood for, you cannot please every one. Everyone has a different perception, everyone has a different feeling when seeing something. Colour was an important aspect for me. With over 400 shades of green, it had to be the right shade of green and pleasing on the eye and congruent with what you would expect of an oak tree. The acorn had to be right. During draft it lacked a little something... more definition but remain subtle at the same time.
I don't enjoy lingering on things for too long, let me have a bit of choice, but not too much. I like to get to a decision quickly. And so I have rested on this logo. Alacim being Micala back to front. I am my business, my business is me.
Recently I had a great conversation with a fellow business owner in France who wanted some advice on developing his business, which I was more than happy to do. The amazing thing about the world of business, is that you just don't know who knows who and I was having a chat with the nephew of a great friend back in the UK, Jace Peacock-Reid.
Jace lives and works in France and I was already a fan of his Facebook page www.facebook.com/innateformweddings and love his style that flows seamlessly through his photographic work. With website and graphic design now part of his repertoire, these skills certainly complement his photography work - www.facebook.com/innateform
It was during our exploratory conversation that there was a real connection, what you see in Jace's photographic work conveys in conversation too. I felt there was a cosmic alignment that meant it felt right for Jace to explore a logo for my business.
I took this opportunity to look at how my business had developed over the last 4 years since moving to France. My business is about marketing through social media, but there are many other facets of running a business that lend themselves naturally to marketing. I am passionate about helping fellow small business owners in France. Having been self employed in the UK before moving to France and understanding a lot of principles and skills needed to run a business, I am very aware of the frustrations that are part and parcel of setting up a business in France, getting business on board and maintaining awareness.
For me, the glass is always half full or filling up and I see challenges as opportunities, that have silver linings. I have no qualms in sharing what I know with people. It is important that people can work towards success and it is very fulfilling to help shape or contribute to that success. I have my fair share of challenges as a small business owner and have my weaknesses too but I don't let them get in the way of what can be achieved. My motto is always no point worrying about it, where there's a will, there's a way and give the problem the mental energy that is needed to overcome it.
I also love nature. One of the reasons I love living here in France... it's full of trees. I love looking at them. I love driving through miles of countryside seeing acres of trees. I never get bored of them whatever the season. And when my husband and I purchased a house earlier this year, what a lucky lady I was to have so many of them in the garden. Trees are great teachers. When I explored my logo I wanted the oak tree in particular to be part of that process.
- Just like a the tree a business needs a roots from which to grow.
- Like trees, patience is required. Your business needs to develop and mature at a pace that is right. Not forced or hurried.
- Trees adapt to the seasons. So must a business. Understand the cycles of your business and adapt accordingly.
- The leaves are your leads. The activity that you do in your business should lead to enquiries and income. Not all activity will do this and like life a leaf will fall away.
The process of finalising my logo was completely different to what I had expected. Little did I know that I would be quite finite on little detail. I have to say at this point, I did ask for some help in fine tuning and I am very glad that I asked for that help. The logo is a personal thing when you are a small business owner – you want it to incorporate you, your business, what you stand for, but at the same time, it needs to appeal to your potential audience. When I asked for reactions to my draft, I was amazed at how a lot of the audience got it, but also how many didn't. Seeing something entirely different to what I wanted to convey. Was that because they don't know me? Or was it because that is literally what they saw? You find yourself getting quite territorial about the logo but at the same time you need to let go and be open minded at the reactions of others.
I focused on the points that resonated with me and what I felt my business stood for, you cannot please every one. Everyone has a different perception, everyone has a different feeling when seeing something. Colour was an important aspect for me. With over 400 shades of green, it had to be the right shade of green and pleasing on the eye and congruent with what you would expect of an oak tree. The acorn had to be right. During draft it lacked a little something... more definition but remain subtle at the same time.
I don't enjoy lingering on things for too long, let me have a bit of choice, but not too much. I like to get to a decision quickly. And so I have rested on this logo. Alacim being Micala back to front. I am my business, my business is me.
Yours socially
Micala
Micala
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