Lauren Fehr Photography.

A feminine, classy, and clean brand - these kinds of brand projects are always my favorite.

I started working with Lauren just months before my baby arrived, so in my head, I definitely had a timeline to meet! Lauren was amazing, and made that timeline more than achievable for me. She was upfront, honest, and quick to make decisions. She had a vision that she was striving for, and she communicated it so well that it was easy for me to grab hold of that exact vision.

Lauren is a photographer and her work is simply stunning. She grabs hold of the earthy tones around her as well as the raw moments of her subjects, both of these contributing to some great shots. I loved the earthy vibes that she was envisioning, and I used that inspiration to guide me.

I can’t wait to see how Lauren continues to grow and build her brand, and I wish her so many blessings on her business endeavors!

XOXO,

Tami

Welcoming 2021.

Well friends, we made it. January is here, and with it a brand new year. Instead of feeling relief, however, I believe many of us are still living in anticipation and out of our comfort zone with what 2021 will bring.

The good news? We never were in control, and our comfortability was merely for a season. God is in control, always. Both in 2000, 2010, 2020, and now in this new year. I hope and pray that as we look at the 11 months ahead of us, that we can still find joy amidst the chaos, count our blessings amidst the trials, and spread love amongst the hate.

As I look back at 2020 and all the chaos and change it brought with it, I also see where the blessings and joy are as well. My husband and I welcomed our sweet little Jade Elizabeth into the world on November 16th, just days after the 2020 Presidential election. She was exactly the blessing we needed at the time, and the Lord knew it. I’m sure of it. We are so thankful for our little bundle of snuggles and grins. And as a mother of two, now, I spend lots of time in prayer for these two little lives. The uncertainty of their future lies in their Makers’ hands, and that’s a lesson that I am constantly relearning, over and over.

Here’s to a blessed 2021, friends - in business, at home, and wherever the year takes us.

XOXO,

Tami

Pond Lily Acres.

I would love to introduce you to this awesome family farm, who I had the absolute honor of branding recently! This was such a fun project for me, and working with the Stuckel family was just lovely. Joe and Amber had a vision for their farm before they even approached me, and the first thing we did was dive into the naming process. Rarely do I get to come along on the naming journey, but it’s always such an honor, and it also allows me to get to know the business and vision before the branding process is started.

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We bounced around some ideas, and then Joe and Amber decided on a name that was not even on the table to begin with: Pond Lily Acres! They discovered their farm was located in a district called Pond Lily, and they deiced to let it stick! The two of them wanted to be sure their brand was open to all types of plants and animals, since they have no idea how their farm will continue to grow in the future. They want to be open to whatever plans God has for them! I love this idea! The other vision they had for their brand was the image of roots - how God builds the root structure to allow life to grow.

The rest fell into place - a color palette, font package, supporting graphics, and more. I am so pleased with the final look. It was a smooth process from there, and now the farm has a complete brand to live under. I wish this family many blessings as they embark on this new adventure - i am so honored to have been a part of your story!

XOXO,

Tami

3 Common Branding Mistakes.

Branding is really an art, in our opinion. As you grow, you also develop a better “branding” eye. There is, however, ways to do branding wrong. Trust us, we have seen it played out, and have learned from mistakes in some of our own personal endeavors at times! Effective branding takes a lot of intentionality, time, and commitment. It also takes a willingness to learn some lessons the hard way and change your approach when needed. Here are three of the most common mistakes we have learned to avoid:

1. Confusion between branding and marketing. Although these words are sometimes used interchangeably, they refer to vastly different concepts. Branding is the actual embodiment of who you are, what you do, and what your purpose is as a business. It is your image. Marketing is presenting that message and image to your audience and packaging it in a way that is engaging and accessible. When you skip the “branding” stage of building your business and jump straight into “marketing,” you will suffer in the long run. However, marketing is an essential step in promoting growth in your company, once you have a solid brand formulated.

2. Lacking clarity in your brand.  This one is so key! Whether it’s the color palette, the logo, or the fonts you use for your brand, overcomplicating things is a temptation that must be avoided! You can’t build brand recognition on a brand that is scattered and confusing. Intentional, curated, simple designs are the way to go. Select three texts to represent your brand and don’t deviate from them. Choose an easily recognizable, readable logo to represent your company. Select a color palette that embodies the energy of your business and don’t wander from it. The clarity that simplicity provides will serve you well!

3. Not defining your audience. You can’t reach an audience you haven’t identified. Reality is that no brand will appeal to everyone. By defining your target audience, you are able to market your brand in a way that is most accessible and attractive to them specifically. This involves using the forms of media that are most common for that demographic and using language that appeals to them. Marketing without a specific audience in mind leaves you aimless in your brand, and ultimately damages your effectiveness in building your clientele.

Quality branding truly can make the difference between growing and thriving in your industry and being stunted as a business owner. But be encouraged, friends! Although branding is a process that takes time and thought, it is also an exciting and rewarding endeavor! And we would love to walk with you on the journey.

XOXO,

Tami + Sheree

investing in Your Brand.

Branding is so much more than paying for a logo. It is the process of cultivating a unique and consistent message to your audience and presenting it in an engaging way. It is the vibe, the values, and the goals of your business, packaged and presented to your clients clearly. It is the difference between someone stopping to consider your business and moving past it without a second thought.

Investing in a professional brand can feel like a big step, but it is so worth it. Here are five reasons we believe in professional branding as the catalyst for success in your business:

1. It is the ultimate first impression. First impressions are priceless. The impression that your audience receives in their first exposure to your business will likely determine their view of your business forever. You may only have one second to catch their eye and convince them you are worth their time. This sounds scary, but it is really a golden opportunity! A professional brand ensures that their first impression of your business is one that conveys professionalism, competency, and visual appeal that leaves them wanting to know more.

2. It provides credibility. Let’s be honest: the business world can be very competitive. Especially with social media’s influence, there are countless options at your fingertips for almost any service you can think of! If your brand is eye-catching, clear, and professional, it will be hard for a potential client to scroll past you. If your logo design and branding is done well, they have every reason to believe that you take what you do seriously and will offer excellence in other areas of your business as well.

3. It builds brand recognition. We have discussed brand recognition before – but it is so powerful! Think about some of the most recognized brands in America: Apple, Nike, and Honda. You can probably immediately picture their logo and brand identity in your head. You would recognize them easily and you have come to expect a certain standard from these companies as they have earned your trust. This is the power of professional branding!

4. It ensures consistency. When you invest in a professional brand package, the little decisions like, “which font should I use?” are taken care of. You already know the message you are conveying and the little details like graphics, fonts, and colors are already decided for you. Ultimately, you are provided with the tools to create consistency in your brand’s message and identity, which is the starting point for brand recognition.

5. It encourages confidence for you. One of the biggest benefits to investing in a professional brand is simply the confidence that it builds in you, as the business owner. You have a message you are passionate about, a logo that represents you well, and a brand that embodies who you are and where you want to go as a company. This is irreplaceable.

Plus, branding is just a lot of fun! There is nothing like curating a color scheme that resonates with you or finalizing your personal logo that you can’t wait to print on your store window. It is energizing for your business. We love hearing your vision and offering you the tools for confidence and success as we build your brand together! 

XOXO

Tami & Sheree

Kate Irmen Interiors.

My first brand client as Vivant Marketing Co. When I took the branding side out from under East to West, it was only a short time later that Kate Irmen reached out to me for help in creating a brand. & NOT just any brand - this one was full of life and energy from the very beginning!

Right away, Kate had lots of hopes and dreams, and I was excited to be along for the journey! Kate was also a client that I knew from the very first email, that SHE GOT IT. She got the purpose and importance of a brand, and she was ready to work for it. There’s truly nothing more rewarding than working with a client who gets it. It is so so fun and refreshing to make their ideas come to life.

Kate wanted a brand that was fresh, comfortable, sophisticated, airy, and inviting. Kate is an interior designer, and these brand descriptors are key for her clients to get a feel for who she is. I worked with her to develop a mood board first, and then from there came up with four logo concepts, which turned into brand concepts. Kate was so fun - she had so much joy and energy when she received each portfolio to review.

With an inviting, fresh, and airy logo in place, the color palette and font packages followed suite. Soon, we had nailed down a sub-mark, brand icon, and other supporting graphics, and social media icons came next. The brand process can be so smooth once the key elements are in place. The real fun begins when the brand starts to develop into tangible print materials - business cards, and more.

Kate Irmen Interiors is about to do big things, and I am here for it!! Currently, her website is in the works, and we are both so excited to show it to the world. Congrats Kate, on your new completed brand. It was my favorite project yet, and I can not wait to see where this new identity takes you!

XOXO,

Tami & Sheree

Integrating Your Voice Into Your Brand.

People are attracted to authenticity. It’s just a fact of life. 

Whether it be in friendship, in selecting a new hair product, or in a business transaction, we are all put at ease when we sense openness. When it comes to effective marketing and brand building, this concept stands strong. 

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As tempting as it is to keep things “professional” in your business’s social media outlets, we have found that it is much more effective to be open and real with your audience. They are drawn to your personal voice in your brand. They are human, with ups and downs in life, and they want to know that you are too. They can’t trust someone they can’t relate to, and more than that, it allows the business to feel like a real person. Like they are buying from a real person. Like they are interacting with a real person. And the best part? Because they are!

Don’t be afraid to be raw. Are you struggling with balancing work and family? Post about it and ask your clients how they balance the two together. Are you learning something new about yourself? Tell your audience about it! Did you have a major life change that you are navigating? Bring your clients along on the journey. These are the little things that allow for genuine connections between you and those on the other end of your brand.

Trust us, it’s worth it!

XOXO

Tami & Sheree

Elysian Market.

A romantic, edgy, boho brand - all in one. This brand was simultaneously difficult to design, and an amazing challenge. When Danielle came to me with her vision, I immediately had tons of ideas bombarding my brain, and I was SO pumped to begin. The minute I sat down with my sketchbook and my laptop, however, a creative block had occurred. Of course. Designers know that’s how it works!

Slowly, however, those tons of ideas slowly morphed into a couple different directions, and Danielle and I began to narrow down each direction to become her new brand. Elysian is defined as “relating to or characteristic of heaven or paradise.” and Danielle’s Elysian Market would become a market for everything heavenly, thrifted, foraged, and more.

We threw out font combination after font combination, texture after texture, floral graphic after floral graphic. BUT. When we landed on the right combination of every font, color, texture, graphic, etc. WE. KNEW. Friends, it was the best feeling.

The “E” and “M” I hand-drew, with floral elements vining around the letters. This became the central focus of the brand, with other hand-drawn floral elements falling in place around it. The combination of the script font with the classy serif font, created a timeless, romantic appearance. It was perfect.

You can find Danielle and Elysian Market Designs on Instagram - so check her out! Her inspirational posts are just that - pure inspiration. Thanks so much girl for the opportunity to design your brand!

XOXO

Tami