You ever scroll through your own website and feel the same way you do when looking at your 2014 Instagram feed?

Like… this was cute once, but it’s not really me anymore.

That’s your sign. Branding is more than a logo. It’s the way your business carries itself. The tone, the clarity, the vibe. And if your brand hasn’t kept up with you, it might be time to take a closer look.

Branding is more than a logo

A logo might catch their eye. But your branding is what makes them stay (and maybe even hit that “contact” button without needing a pep talk first).

Your brand is the full experience someone has with your business. It’s how they feel when they land on your homepage, the tone in your captions, the vibe your colors give off, and the clarity of your message.

It’s not just one thing, it’s how all the parts work together.

What even is branding then?

Branding includes:

• Your logo, yes (but we’re just getting started)
• Your fonts and colors
• Your voice and tone
• The way you structure your offers
• The feeling your site and content give off
• The consistency across every touchpoint

It’s not just about looking good. It’s about being understood. Like when someone scrolls your website and thinks, “Yep. This is for me.”

A logo is a tool. Branding is the whole toolbox.

Your logo is like your business card. A small piece of a much bigger puzzle.

But your brand? That’s the mood, the message, the moment. It’s the story someone tells themselves when they decide to work with you.

A strong brand helps people remember you. It’s why they recommend you. It’s why they scroll back to find your post. It’s why they trust you before they’ve even met you.

Branding is the feeling behind the visuals

Think about it: when you walk into Starbucks, it’s not just a coffee run, it’s a whole experience.

You smell the coffee before you even open the door. You know what the cups look like before they hand it to you. You’ve seen their holiday games, their seasonal drinks, their oddly satisfying mobile app that remembers your order and calls you by name.

That’s branding.

It’s not just the green logo you remember but it’s the vibe, the rituals, the consistency across every platform. They’ve made it easy to recognize, easy to remember, and honestly? Kind of fun to interact with.

Your brand should feel like that. A little magnetic. A little familiar. Entirely you.

Before you start typing “feminine logo design ideas” into Pinterest…

Let’s pause for a second.

You don’t need another rabbit hole of dusty pink cursive logos that all start to blur together after 15 minutes of scrolling. You want to stand out but stay true to you.

Those “feminine logo design ideas” can give you a sense of what styles you’re drawn to. But your brand isn’t about following trends. It’s about creating something that feels like you.

Soft and elegant? Bold and grounded? Playful and professional? You can absolutely have a logo that feels feminine and strategic. But the real question is: will it hold up across everything else you do?

That’s the branding part. That’s what actually matters.

Let’s talk about those cheap logo designs you’ve been eyeing on Etsy

You’ve probably seen them…. $30 logos with pretty fonts and watercolor swashes. And to be honest? They’re not always a bad starting point.

They can be helpful. Especially if you’re just getting started and need a placeholder while you figure things out. Sometimes they even spark inspiration about what you don’t want.

But here’s the risk: cheap logo designs are everywhere and a lot of them look the same.
That means you might be sharing a visual identity with five other businesses. Or twenty.

And that’s not why you started this.

Your brand should be something you can own. Something that was made for you, not just something you made work. Something that translates across your website, social media, emails, packaging without losing its meaning.

So what does a full branding experience actually look like?

When clients work with me on branding, here’s what they walk away with:

• A custom logo suite (primary, secondary, submarks)
• A curated font and color system
• A mini or full brand guide
• Clear brand personality and tone
• Visual direction that matches the energy of their work
• Assets they can use across platforms (socials, site, slides, etc.)

It’s not just about design. It’s about alignment. Your brand should look like you and work for you.

Your brand shouldn’t be for everyone and that’s a good thing

If your brand tries to speak to everyone, it ends up resonating with… no one.

That’s why branding also includes your target audience. The people you actually want to attract. The ones who value what you do and how you do it.

That means:

• Writing in a tone they connect with
• Choosing colors and visuals that feel familiar to them
• Crafting offers that solve their real problems
• Showing up in a way that makes them feel seen

Your brand isn’t just about looking pretty it’s about creating trust, curiosity, and recognition in the right people.

Still thinking about your brand?

You don’t need a total overhaul to get started. But if your brand feels pieced together or like it hasn’t grown with you, it’s worth a second look.

Ask yourself:

• Do I love how my business looks and feels online?
• Is my messaging still aligned with what I offer?
• Can a stranger instantly understand what I do and who it’s for?
• Am I proud to share my site, social, or offers?

If not, don’t panic.

Your brand is a preview of what it’s like to work with you.

It sets the tone, builds trust, and creates a feeling (an experience if you will) before you’ve even said a word. When done well, your brand does a lot of the heavy lifting for you.

If your brand feels like Barbie in her “who even am I?” phase, maybe it’s time to figure that out for real.

Let’s chat and strip it back to what’s real and build you a brand that actually feels like you.