Success Advice
8 Steps to Go From a Wannabe to a Powerhouse Brand That People Will Love

In today’s digital world, consumers are navigating up to ten thousand ads every day. Brands are how consumers decide where to pay attention – they help us make decisions about what products we buy, the restaurants we eat at and where we go on vacation. For this reason, developing a brand is essential for the health of your business. Building a brand won’t happen overnight, but by pursuing the following eight steps, you can create brand values that will help your business stand out and put you on the right path to sharing your story with the world.
1. Answer 3 Questions
Creating a brand should begin by asking yourself three questions about your business:
- Who are we?
- What do we do?
- What do we believe?
These questions provide clarity and help you to focus on what it is you want to talk about. Once you’ve determined your answers to these three questions, you’re ready to take the branding process a step further.
2. Personify Your Company
A fun way to create your brand is to personify your company. There are two approaches you can take. The first is to pick a celebrity. Are you hip and current? Maybe your brand is Bruno Mars. Or, if you’re in a rural part of the country, maybe your brand is Miranda Lambert. The second approach is to answer a series of questions about the type of person your business would be, such as: What’s your age? What car do you drive? What’s your house look like? In doing this, you’ll create a person who represents your business.
3. Ask for Input
Getting an outside perspective on how your employees or customers see your business is a great way to refine your brand identity. At this stage, asking for input also enables you to make sure that your notions of the business align with how others perceive you. You’ll know right away if any branding you’ve done thus far has resonated or if you have a lot of work to do in better communicating your message.
4. Consider Mission, Vision & Values
If you have mission, vision, and values, jot them down. Never been through this process? Start with a blank piece of paper. An example of a mission statement is: Our mission is to provide comfort to all through the products we sell and by serving people in our community. As for vision, this relates to where you see your company going. For example: In five years, we will be the number one seller of mattresses in our market. Lastly, values are what you stand for. Examples: Integrity. Honesty. Creativity. Service.
5. Define Culture
Evaluating your culture is critical to defining your brand. To identify your culture, talk to management, employees, and customers to understand how they view the business and the current state of your culture. Another option is to conduct surveys among your employees and customers. Gathering anonymous feedback online can make respondents feel safer, making it more likely they’ll be candid. An important thing to remember while collecting feedback is to listen. Fight any urge to become defensive or disagree. Hearing the views of others is essential to defining your culture in an authentic and honest way.
6. Identity Your Position
A strong brand position is the first step to differentiating your business. Begin by asking yourself, in what category can you be first or best? Answering this question will require that you evaluate the competitive landscape. You’ll need to consider where your strengths and shortcomings are compared to your competitors. What can you offer that others can’t? Is there an opportunity for you to create the first of something new or to be the best at something that already exists?
7. Create Brand Pillars
Once you’ve identified your position, you’re ready to create your brand pillars. Think of your brand pillars as the fundamentals of how you want to conduct your business or how you wish to make decisions. Defining your pillars allows you to align your team around ideals that tell you where to go and sometimes what to do. You won’t have to fight to figure out if a merchandising decision or advertising piece fits. Filter those ideas through your brand pillars and you’ll often get easy answers to questions causing you to stall out.
8. Bring It to Life
Once you’ve completed the previous steps, you’re ready for the final stage: bringing the brand forward. All the deep work you just did is designed to bring your brand to life in its messaging and visuals. This process will enable you to create cohesive brand messaging and imagery. Your store and your website will hold hands. Your marketing materials will look like they belong with your website, and your social channels will have a voice that fits your culture. Done properly, these things all work together to form an identity that deepens your connection to consumers.
This article was adapted from the book, “Come Back to bed,” written by Mark Quinn and Mark Kinsley.
Success Advice
How to Build Trust, Kill Micromanagement, and Lead a Team That Thrives
It is a strategic and structured process involving planning, organizing, influencing, and motivating a group of individuals to achieve common goals.

In an era of rapid technological change and evolving workplace dynamics, teamwork has become more essential than ever. The ability to collaborate, adapt, and build meaningful connections within teams is no longer a “nice to have”; it’s a requirement. (more…)
Success Advice
How Playing by the Rules Became the Smartest Business Strategy
Success without shortcuts isn’t slower, it’s smarter

Cutting corners can feel like a fast track to success. In startup culture especially, there’s constant pressure to move faster, launch sooner, and disrupt harder. Entrepreneurs are told to “move fast and break things,” and life hacks are everywhere, promising to shave hours off your workload. (more…)
Success Advice
The One Mindset Shift That Made Me Irreplaceable At Work
You don’t need to be in finance to be financially savvy

In every organization, there are two types of people: those who do their job and those who think like owners. The second group, regardless of their title or role, tends to stand out, move up, and make a bigger impact. (more…)
Success Advice
Stephen Covey’s 8 Leadership Habits That Will Change How You Lead Forever
If you want to lead well, connect deeply, and live fully, you must begin with principles that anchor your character and inspire those around you

In his influential book Principle-Centered Leadership, Stephen R. Covey explores the values and philosophies that shape impactful, ethical, and lasting leadership. Instead of offering quick fixes or superficial techniques, Covey provides a timeless framework for personal and professional development, one grounded in integrity, fairness, and service. (more…)
-
Change Your Mindset4 weeks ago
You Become What You Absorb: How Input Shapes Your Life
-
Personal Development4 weeks ago
Burned Out at Your Desk? Try This 5-Minute Mental Reset
-
Success Advice4 weeks ago
This Overlooked Skill Drives Real Business Growth
-
Success Advice3 weeks ago
Leadership Styles That Are Killing Innovation In Your Business
-
Success Advice3 weeks ago
Stephen Covey’s 8 Leadership Habits That Will Change How You Lead Forever
-
Personal Development2 weeks ago
Want to Change the World? Start by Sharing Your Knowledge
-
Business3 weeks ago
7 Legal Situations Every Small Business Owner Should Prepare For
-
Success Advice1 week ago
The One Mindset Shift That Made Me Irreplaceable At Work