Business Re-vision and guidance...

[kimberlyanne]

Hey everyone.. I really don't know where to turn to get advice on this matter, I really hope one of you can shed some light on what to do. I'll have to start at the beginning, I promise to make it as short as possible.

Had a great free lance graphic design home business after college graduation. Kimberly Provo Design. Had good clients and good projects going, a former instructor told me it was against my best interest (taxes, marriage, divorce, personal safety, etc.) to use my full name in my business. Since I trusted him I changed the name of my business. I wanted to gear more toward "creative small businesses" like etsy shops and the like, so I re-named to My Whole Heart Design wtih a creative, cutesy and eclectic logo.

Since the birth of my son I have been at a stand still for work, zero motivation, zero drive to advertise and get more business, zero energy to update/work on my website. Nothing I was at a dead standstill.

So the age old New Years Resolutions roll around and I'm super eager to re-invent my business and really crack down on getting back to work (plus i need to as we prepare to buy our first home and need the extra income), and my biggest issue is really narrowing in on A. What it is I want to do (web design, graphic design, logo design) B. What my target market is and C. What my "look and feel" is. I'm so confused and pulled in so many directions, but all I know is I want a LASTING brand, that will stand the test of time and not make me flit back and forth going "Is this too childish, not professional enough...etc"

I don't know if it is smart to redefine myself again (I only have 100 fans on my FB page) but I just don't see "My Whole Heart Design" lasting the long haul. I honestly think I should go back to my name, and maybe just use my middle name... Kimberly Anne, maybe adding Creative Design, or just Design, or just Creative? I don't know what would be best

Here is the logo for My Whole Heart Design... the website is mywholeheartdesignDOTcom
http://www.estetica-design-forum.com/attachments/graphic-design-business-forum/5927d1325793606t-business-re-vision-guidance-mwhd_logo_site.png

[garricks]

Welcome to GDF, kimberlyanne. :) I hope you'll find it useful and fun here.

We ask all new members to read the threads posted HERE (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=42) and HERE (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/announcement.php?f=42). They explain how the forum runs, the rules, frequently discussed topics and our inside jokes.

[kimberlyanne]

wow, 222 views and no replies. Thanks guys. lol

[hank_scorpio]

Welcome to the GDF :D

I'm not really entirely clear what you're asking though.

I really like the "my whole heart design" it's kinda catchy.

You say that you can't get motivated right now. So what got you motivated before? Perhaps you need to go back to your roots and discover what it was that got your engine going in the first place?

[kimberlyanne]

Welcome to the GDF :D

I'm not really entirely clear what you're asking though.

I really like the "my whole heart design" it's kinda catchy.

You say that you can't get motivated right now. So what got you motivated before? Perhaps you need to go back to your roots and discover what it was that got your engine going in the first place?

I've had it been said to be before "Whole Heart is very sweet but I'm wondering if a few businesses might see it as too much "heart" and not enough business sense?"

I'm just wondering what is it holding me back from advancing and growing my business

[kemingMatters]

No replies probably because there isn't really a question in the six paragraphs of statement/inner thought and a plug to your business at the end of it.

Does your current business name net you the type of clients you want? if you answered yes to this question, then it doesn't matter if you like it or not, it's working.

[hank_scorpio]

Yeh i know what you mean about the name.

So what got you interested in design at the beginning?

[kimberlyanne]

No replies probably because there isn't really a question in the six paragraphs of statement/inner thought and a plug to your business at the end of it.

Does your current business name net you the type of clients you want? if you answered yes to this question, then it doesn't matter if you like it or not, it's working.

Are you serious? I'm giving anyone the insight to my "brand" to see if they have any helpful advice as to where to go to create a more lasting brand.
Obviously you don't have any. So why reply?

[kimberlyanne]

Welcome to the GDF :D

I'm not really entirely clear what you're asking though.

I really like the "my whole heart design" it's kinda catchy.

You say that you can't get motivated right now. So what got you motivated before? Perhaps you need to go back to your roots and discover what it was that got your engine going in the first place?

Really? I did too, it really suited what I wanted to do when I started. I put my whole heart into each of my projects and clients and it shows because I call so many of my former clients friends. Go back to my roots... good sound advice. Thank you eugenetyson

[kemingMatters]

Are you serious? I'm giving anyone the insight to my "brand" to see if they have any helpful advice as to where to go to create a more lasting brand.
Obviously you don't have any. So why reply?

Why get so defensive, my advice was essentially if it isn't broken, why fix it? you said you have 100 or so fans on you FB page and you were happy with your clientele, so why create a problem for yourself by forcing people to adapt/remember a different name?

[PrintDriver]

His question is valid about whether or not your current business name is netting you the type of clients you want. If yes, why change? You have to consider what is appealing to the type of client you want, we can't guess if you are going to like it in the process. Also, we're good at giving people advice on the WORK that they do, but we don't do that work for them. You gotta be careful about asking this bunch for unsolicited idears... :p

As to his observation, I just dismissed it as a plug too. <shrug>

[kimberlyanne]

Why get so defensive, my advice was essentially if it isn't broken, why fix it? you said you have 100 or so fans on you FB page and you were happy with your clientele, so why create a problem for yourself by forcing people to adapt/remember a different name?

Because I don't see it as being memorable, I see it as trendy... and now is the time to change if so because I don't have a big a following as possible. I'm at the ground level I feel and I want to go up

[kimberlyanne]

His question is valid about whether or not your current business name is netting you the type of clients you want. If yes, why change? You have to consider what is appealing to the type of client you want, we can't guess if you are going to like it in the process. Also, we're good at giving people advice on the WORK that they do, but we don't do that work for them. You gotta be careful about asking this bunch for unsolicited idears... :p

As to his observation, I just dismissed it as a plug too. <shrug>

Ok then, my bad I will remove it. I thought it would help to the entire "branding"

[kimberlyanne]

help to SEE the entire branding sorry

[kemingMatters]

Because I don't see it as being memorable, I see it as trendy... and now is the time to change if so because I don't have a big a following as possible. I'm at the ground level I feel and I want to go up

What type of clientele are you looking for? If you're looking for more corporate type clients then by all means what you have is to folky. If you just want the ma & pa, local/boutique business or you do some form of greeting cards/invitations then what you have works. You could do with cleaning up the out-of-the-box AI brush strokes or creating your own brush strokes. (the corners are contain the only straight lines in the wider stroke, which is unlike the rest of the grungy feel)

[PanToshi]

Hi and Welcome to GDF! Cute son! :)

Since the birth of my son I have been at a stand still for work, zero motivation, zero drive to advertise and get more business, zero energy to update/work on my website. Nothing I was at a dead standstill.

I think this might be the more the issue than what your business name or branding is. Would setting a specific schedule help? (e.g: everyday when kidlet is down for a nap in the afternoon, I will dedicate that time to my business or if you can afford a sitter, I would consider that option to free up uninterrupted time for your business.)

... my biggest issue is really narrowing in on
A. What it is I want to do (web design, graphic design, logo design)
B. What my target market is
C. What my "look and feel" is.

I think you nailed what you need to do first in your initial post.

Once you narrow down A and B, you will be more able to hone in on C – a "look and feel" that you think is appropriate for the direction you want to take your business.

Do you/did you have a business plan? It's a great place to start solidifying what you envision for growing your business. Nail down your target market, your skillset, your experience and your specialties before thinking about changing names, looks, etc.

Good Luck!

[Bob]

^Yup. Where are you and where do you want to get to.

And what are you prepared to change to get there? More than a rename?

[garricks]

Ok then, my bad I will remove it.

That tells me that you didn't click on the helpful links I posted for you. ;)

[maynardsayswhat]

I have been at a stand still for work, zero motivation, zero drive to advertise and get more business, zero energy to update/work on my website. Nothing I was at a dead standstill.
This would be the problem. If you don't have the drive to develop your freelance business, then you may want to figure out A) why you have lost your passion, and B) if you really want to continue the work.

We all have lulls in our passion from time to time. Now is the time to review your motivations and goals. Do that first, then the rest is just asking yourself questions to define your methodology as mentioned in previous posts (branding, marketing, etc).

Good luck and cute kid!

[firebuffgal]

I echo a lot of the comments said here: what is your passion now? Hoe did you lose your passion for deigsn? Can you get it back? Do you even want it back or is there something else you are more passionate about?

If you decide to restart your design career, then getting a new business name is not that big of deal. I changed my business name 5 years after I started because I had to reinvent myself. In 2 years I have kept my following and customers and gained a new client base.

But first and foremost, who do you want your audience to be? Medical? Corporate? Mom and pops? Determine that first then move forward. Good luck!

[Bob]

Maybe I'm presuming here, but I'm wondering how much your new found motherhood will effect your attitude towards your design career.
When I say 'effect' I mean change.
Becoming a parent is a huge value shift for most everone. It routinely alters your perspective. Sometimes in a very scarey way as it forces you into re-prioritizing what you once thought were unquestionable givens.

[DIEX]

Hi Kimberly, I myself have made a pretty good living for nearly a decade as a freelance designer. Here is what I think you should do:

Go back using your name. It sounds more professional, and it doesnt pigeon-hole your brand into a certain style or genre.

'My Whole Heart Design' sounds to me like you are a stay at home mom who is a graphic hobbyist, rather than a professional. I could see your main client demographic appealing mainly to women, perhaps doing design for spas, photographers, cutesy retail stores, etc. You aim yourself in this direction and you are going to spend most of your time pulling teeth trying to get your clients to pay on time (typical with small businesses). Trust me, I have been there.

The money is in corporate design. Manufacturing companies. Biotech and Research. Oilfield. Land Development. These are the industries where you will make the most money in freelance. Now ask yourself, can you really picture companies like these hiring a freelancer with the name "My Whole Heart Design"?

I know how you feel about the lack of motivation. I've been designing from my basement office for a number of years now, and I have 2 young kids myself, and even though my wife does a great job keeping them under control, its still tough to wrap your head around work after tending to cranky kids day in and day out. There's a great motivational vid on youtube, search 'Will Smith talking about success" (about a 9 min compilation); its something I watch or think about every morning. It really helps.

Good luck and hope everything works out for you!
PS. I checked out your website, you definitely need to charge more;)


Hey everyone.. I really don't know where to turn to get advice on this matter, I really hope one of you can shed some light on what to do. I'll have to start at the beginning, I promise to make it as short as possible.

Had a great free lance graphic design home business after college graduation. Kimberly Provo Design. Had good clients and good projects going, a former instructor told me it was against my best interest (taxes, marriage, divorce, personal safety, etc.) to use my full name in my business. Since I trusted him I changed the name of my business. I wanted to gear more toward "creative small businesses" like etsy shops and the like, so I re-named to My Whole Heart Design wtih a creative, cutesy and eclectic logo.

Since the birth of my son I have been at a stand still for work, zero motivation, zero drive to advertise and get more business, zero energy to update/work on my website. Nothing I was at a dead standstill.

So the age old New Years Resolutions roll around and I'm super eager to re-invent my business and really crack down on getting back to work (plus i need to as we prepare to buy our first home and need the extra income), and my biggest issue is really narrowing in on A. What it is I want to do (web design, graphic design, logo design) B. What my target market is and C. What my "look and feel" is. I'm so confused and pulled in so many directions, but all I know is I want a LASTING brand, that will stand the test of time and not make me flit back and forth going "Is this too childish, not professional enough...etc"

I don't know if it is smart to redefine myself again (I only have 100 fans on my FB page) but I just don't see "My Whole Heart Design" lasting the long haul. I honestly think I should go back to my name, and maybe just use my middle name... Kimberly Anne, maybe adding Creative Design, or just Design, or just Creative? I don't know what would be best

Here is the logo for My Whole Heart Design... the website is mywholeheartdesignDOTcom
http://www.estetica-design-forum.com/attachments/graphic-design-business-forum/5927d1325793606t-business-re-vision-guidance-mwhd_logo_site.png

[garricks]

Hi DIEX, welcome to GDF. :) I hope you'll find it useful and fun here.

We ask all new members to read the threads posted HERE (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=42) and HERE (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/announcement.php?f=42). They explain how the forum runs, the rules, frequently discussed topics and our inside jokes.

[kimberlyanne]

WOW.... thank you for all the great and helpful insight and responses... truly thank you so much. You all have given me a great road map on where to start and where to go.