A perspective often overlooked: While focusing on your ideal client is key, your brand should also genuinely represent YOU!

You’ve probably heard it before (I confess even I’ve said it a time or two), “Your brand is for your ideal client, not you.” It’s a popular belief amongst brand &  website designers and other business owners that your brand should be designed with your ideal client in mind; that your preferences and personality should take a backseat to your potential client’s. But I firmly believe that showcasing YOUR personality and being yourself will actually attract those aligned clients better than catering to their perceived preferences. 

How being yourself is good for your business 

“Be yourself; everyone else is taken.”- Oscar Wilde

This simple quote by Oscar Wilde is one I try to live by both in my personal life, and in my life as a brand and website designer. The world of entrepreneurship is competitive, and the best way to stand out from the crowd AND attract aligned clients who want to work with you is to be yourself! Afterall, there’s only one of you in existence, and clients are more likely to be attracted to your unique qualities than another cookie-cutter version of what your business offers.  

Running a business isn’t always easy, but it’s much easier when you don’t have to assume an identity when you’re interacting with your clients. Your brand should be a reflection of you. That way, your clients know exactly what and who they’re working with. It’s your talent or your creations that you’re offering, so at the end of the day, your brand is actually all about you. It should feel like an accurate representation of your vibe, and that will filter out the clients that aren’t for you while attracting people who can’t wait to work with you. 

Be comfortable in your own skin (and your clothes)

Storytime: I was looking through an old photo album with my mom recently, and we stumbled across a photo from a family friend’s wedding. I was young, and although this should have been a fun occasion for me (running around with the other kids making mischief and eating A LOT of cake), I looked SO grumpy in the photo. 

You may be wondering, Aubre, why were you so upset? You were a kid with no responsibilities, AND there was cake. At first, I wasn’t sure, but reflecting on the day now, the answer is clear. My mom had dressed me in this ugly (even for the 90’s), itchy, poofy dress and I was UNCOMFORTABLE. I was grumpy because I didn’t feel like myself in that particular dress. Although I had the biggest Barbie collection of any of the girls on my block, I was also the biggest tomboy, so I preferred loose-fitting, comfortable clothes to itchy, poofy dresses. 

Now, there were likely a number of outfits in my closet that would have been appropriate for a wedding that I would have been comfortable wearing (I wasn’t an unreasonable kid; after all, I knew my tye-dye t-shirt was not appropriate). And you know what, if my mom had chosen a different outfit that was more suited to my personality, that photo would have captured a smile instead of a frown. I wouldn’t have felt so uncomfortable, and I probably would have had a lot more fun. 

Even as an adult, you know that feeling when you’re wearing an outfit that doesn’t feel quite right. You can’t help but feel uncomfortable, awkward, and most importantly, you don’t feel confident! The same idea is true for your brand. If you’re playing a part that makes you uncomfortable, or just doesn’t feel like you, your confidence is more likely to dwindle. Clients will be able to feel your discomfort (even if it’s subtle), and subconsciously, they will feel that disconnect and lose trust in you, your capabilities, and your business. 

Comfortable, yet elevated

Now I’m not saying to just show up in whatever makes you most comfortable. Because yoga pants and a well-worn hoodie (my favorite comfort outfit of choice) might not be the right look for your brand, and although it’s comfy as heck, it might not send the right message. BUT chances are there’s an outfit in your closet that’s elevated AND professional that feels like you. Yes, even if your personal style is more relaxed, your brand can still feel elevated, professional, and most importantly, like YOU.

How I can help to ensure your brand feels like you

That’s where my magic and intuition come in. I feel passionately about your brand design being a reflection of your unique personality. Many business owners find that when their brand feels like them, it’s more sustainable. So, I use all of my skills to ensure that’s your end result. I’m an expert listener, and I know how to dig deep and ask the right questions. My clients have often commented that I have a way of getting into their heads, sorting through all their ideas, filtering out the most important details, and creating visuals that evoke the feelings they have been struggling to portray; feelings that give an accurate reflection of what it’s like to work with them so they can attract aligned clients. 

What happens when you can show up confidently and visually showcase what it’s like to work with you? Your dream clients land on your website and feel instantly connected to YOU! And what happens when your clients feel a genuine connection to you? They want to work with YOU specifically. And when your clients want to work with you, the work you create together is more magical than you could have ever imagined. They get better results, and you grow your business through happy clients who will spread the word about their success. 

If you’re looking to build a brand that genuinely reflects who you are and what you can offer, I’d love to connect. Explore my services and book a call with me so we can work together to build a brand that genuinely represents YOU!