I couldn’t be more excited to finally announce that Bridgett Edwards Graphic Design has launched with my new site now live! This venture is an extension of Perideau Designs which allows me to help others start their new business on the right foot and also for seasoned entrepreneurs to give their brand a face-lift. The idea began in July of last year and I have continue to organically grow this business. I’ve worked hard with amazing people and I’m ready to take it to the next level.
So I want to launch BEG with a giveaway: 1 complete branding package which includes: a color palette, a logo and collateral design. The is the whole she-bang, the diving board to a new business; a genuine, strong business. To enter leave a comment on this post explaining your business, why you began your business and what are your goals? These aren’t easy questions because last week at Making Things Happen (more on that later) I learned that easy questions will not make things happen. The tough questions that make you dig deep and get to the core of your vision is what will catapult you on your way to success.
So answer those questions by Friday, February 4th and on Monday I’ll update this post with the winner.
“Why let others define success for you? Here are two insights that can allow you to live successfully in your own way every day: 1) Compete only with your own best self. 2) Steadily move toward your own worthwhile goals.” — Martha Reid
Show Hide 19 comments
My business is portrait photography. I am starting it because I love to take pictures, it is an obsession actually. I am so happy to have pictures of my family, being their true selves that I want to give that to other people! My goal are to have all the loose ends of having a legitimate business done and all my pricing/blog makeover done by the end of February so that I can be ready when it finally warms up outside. My other goal is to have on average 2 sessions a month!
Hi Bridgett-
I am an artist with a cookie business. Yes, that’s right. I didn’t start out as a baker, but as an advertising professional who enjoyed drawing (oh, and eating sweets!). Through the years, I’ve worked on stationery and invitations featuring my illustrations and have morphed into a cookie design business. I would make my children’s birthday invitations and then create a unique cookie favor to coordinate with the theme. I had more and more requests from friends asking me to create custom cookies for their parties – so my business was born. I sell my cookies mostly through etsy (whimsicaloriginalsdb.etsy.com) and word of mouth. I have recently reserved a site that I would like to develop into a blog (yummydeliciouscookies.com). Because of my advertising & marketing background, I’ve been afraid to surge ahead with my business until I had a strong foundation with brand identity. It’s so important – yet so daunting of a task. I want it done right, and that costs money. My goals are to hire a baking assistant to help with dough, packaging, etc. by 2012. I also would like to be featured on more websites in 2011 (recently was on msn’s http://www.glo.com for a superbowl highlight, as well as http://www.hostesswiththemostess.com from a Posh Tot Events party). I design cookies for the creativity it allows me; for the yummy benefits of taste-testing; and for (hopefully) the extra cash flow it allows my family.
I would LOVE your design help to carry my business forward into 2011.
Thank you for your consideration!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bridgett, Julie. Julie said: RT @perideaudesigns: Branding Package Giveaway :: http://ow.ly/3Ndsw [...]
I have been a photographer for years and I love it. I sell my prints in brick and mortar stores and online. But, last year my love of vintage and the stories behind pieces that have belonged to someone in the past really drew me in and I now have a vintage shop, MollyFinds on Etsy. I am at a decision making point as to how I would like to brand this shop. My photography is always me, selling me really because they are my creations. The vintage is a bit harder for me to decide on which branding direction to go. For 2011, I told my husband I really want and need to choose appropriate and consistent packaging and logo’s for this shop because I can tell it is something that is going to grow and that I want to stick with. I really would love help from your shop with my new business venture:)
Molly
I am a photographer and I began my business because I wanted to work for myself and have the freedom to develop and nurture my art for me not for someone else! My goals are to grow my business to provide joy not only for my clients for years to come through their photos but for myself in taking them!!
Beautiful site!
Dana
HI Bridgett,
I think the biggest goal for me this year is to create a consistent clean look for my products.
First of all, Congratulations on starting BEG ! That is amazing. I remember you had posted sometime ago about how you wanted to grow your business this year..making it happen
As for me, I love to draw – thats my 1st love. I started my business as a form of my creative outlet . I am an architect , now a SAHM with 2 kids. I needed something to fuel my creative passion ..thats how Doodle Kreations came about. Doodling on sketch books after the kids went to bed , while watching tv with hubby ! My business is bright and colorful artwork on stationery , prints , greeting cards and hopefully will find its uses on other products.
My goals for my business are to create a variety of products not limited to paper goods featuring my artwork on it and for it to put a smile on others faces. I want to be able to create a line of designs that people will want to gift to others and better yet, keep it for themselves
I think having a consistent branding image will help me to reach out to my target market . I have struggled to find the right image for my products ..one that will tie it all together .
I have always loved your clean , crisp style and I think getting your help with this goal, will definitely be a boost to my small business.
I currently host a party planning ideas and inspiration blog which I named In Flight for my love to dragonflies, owls and birds. Exactly in that order I became fascinated with dragonflies first and then owls and so on, meanwhile my passion has always been party planning. To me party planning is not necessarily a big celebration with dozens of guests because I’m known for celebrating my kids good grades, the beginning of Summer, and small intimate moments with just my party of 5. It came to me that my ideas and party inspiration take flight, they spread their wings just like my favorite little animal friends do and that makes my heart happy and even more when I get praised for how all the wonderful things come together. So, it was time to start a blog, in which I have met beautiful inspired and creative people and I have had great feedback from family and friends as to where to go next, what ideas I can offer and knowing that I can do my very best…I decided to open my own party styling, planning and decorating business. I can’t wait to get started and just thinking of the beautiful, perfect logo to go with it brings a smile on my face. I’m ready for my next venture, I’m ready for a wonderful and beautiful package to make my blog and my business shine and take flight! My business will start as soon as possible and I’m predicting that I’ll have my first party styled by the Summer! (If not sooner!) And that is also a goal, along with my future goals to have at least two parties booked for each month and grow eventually from home parties into bigger things!
Ironically these are the questions that have been hovering over me for the past month as I try to decide which direction to go with my business. You are right….these are tough questions , but oh so necessary. So here we go……
Madly Stylish Events offers small event and dessert buffet design services.
I started my business after years of being the go-to party planner for family and friends. I spent over 15 years in Higher Ed Administration in the NY/NJ area and when we moved to MD, I decided to stay home with my girls since we had no family in the area. When my youngest started preschool, I started volunteering and offering my services at school events, helping my new friends plan their children’s parties, and any other events that came my way. When a mom offered to pay me to plan her daughter’s party, I jumped at the chance. That lead to another party I was paid to do and soon I was thinking I might actually turn this into an actual business.
After finally summoning up the courage, I started Madly Stylish Events this past July. My cousin, who does custom invitations, created my logo, a friend helped set up my blog, my neighbor printed my business cards, and my husband is my photographer. All my business has been through word of mouth. I am beyond thrilled with how well it has done. I am now at a phase where I feel I really need to polish my brand as I would like to have launch a separate website and blog . I’d like to change my logo colors just a little bit by darkening them up. I also think the frame is too big. I would like some flourish , because I want a classic, elegant, but whimsical feel as well.
My goal is to make these changes in order to grow my clientele at a steady pace. I want a brand that is easily recognizable and associated with exceptional service, stylish events and decadent dessert buffets. My long term goal is to open a design studio with a space a rental space to hold events.
There you have it!
I am in the business of making people see just how beautiful they really are through photographs! I started my photography business doing Lifestyle photography of babies, kids, and pets…. mainly because I was afraid, no, TERRIFIED of really going for my dream of shooting destination weddings. I began my business because I had a major tragedy occur in my life in 2007 that showed me life is way too short to not do something you want and love to do. I’d been a traveling IT consultant for 4 years and the work wasn’t satisfying. After February 0f 2007, I was determined to live a fuller life. The life that God wanted me to live so abundantly. It took 2 more years before I actually acted on my dream of being an entrepreneur and photographing life and love, but I made the leap and have been on a journey to ensure that the leap wasn’t taken in vain. My goal is simply to serve others through photographing them beautifully on their wedding day at a destination that is meaningful to them. I want to show my authentic self in all that I do and be profitable just by being myself and providing impeccable service to my clients.
Thank you so much for this opportunity Bridgett! I just found your blog today and I’m so SUPER glad that I did!!! xoxo
Hi! I’m in the process of starting a branding/strategy consultancy when I can find spare time outside of my day job. I’m passionate about helping small businesses find their way and highlight their strengths. I love creating actionable marketing plans and using demographic and psychographic research to structure campaigns.
Unfortunately, while I’m pretty good at knowing what I like…I’m terrible at actually designing it! I’m looking for help tacking down a logo/ block background / minimal print collateral…and I’m open to suggestions on the color scheme.
My efforts over the past year have kept me renewing my hosting plan but still keeping my website private. After MTH in the Fall I resolved to truly define this brand and get things forward facing by my birthday. I have a few months and this opportunity would really help me make things happen.
I greatly appreciate your consideration for this gift. It would certainly not be wasted.
Cheers,
Kate
Hi! My husband and I have started a part-time photography business. We fell in love with photography when we began searching for a photographer for our wedding. Coming from an area where traditional photography reigned, I had no idea that people were being so creative with their images! The idea of having a creative outlet really intrigued both of us, so we went for it!
We’ve begun receiving wedding inquiries and have actually booked our first 2 weddings! (We’re super excited!) We can’t wait to start building our wedding portfolio so that we can become competitive in the wedding photography market. But, in order to become competitive, we need to “brand” ourselves in addition to learning different shooting techniques and creating a consistent look within our portfolio. We’re a little overwhelmed…ok…a lot overwhelmed…about branding ourselves. Our goals this year include defining ourselves as a business, receiving consistent inquiries for both portrait sessions and weddings, and continuing to enjoy what we do!
Thanks!
Nicole
Hi Bridgett,
I’ve been a quiet follower of your blog for several months, and I’ve loved watching you grow your business. My business is custom slipcovers and I recently started Sew It Yourself Slipcovers as I want to provide education and training for others who love sewing and want to turn it into a viable business. I feel that all women should have skills that they can use to provide an income for themselves and sewing can be one of those skills.
I feel that I have a good brand right now, but I would love to freshen it up a bit.
Hi! I am currently in the business of making things (sewing mostly) clutches, handbags, and a whole lot of odds and ends. Why did I start this business? I have a degree in Industrial Design and always have been making things, well I had lots and lots of handmade items building up in my house (A LOT) and I wanted to sell them, I just didn’t know where to begin. Then I heard about Etsy! I started listing things and the rest is history. I started a blog and website, actually one year ago today, and it needs help! So anyway, I am off track, I am now a stay at home mom at that is why the whole shop thing happened when it did, my son was a baby, I found out about etsy, and the rest is history. What are my goals? To have a steady income (not a big income) but steady from this shop, so that we can save the money I make to go on a vacation each year…simple goal, but a big one for my family!
I have done all the work myself so far, but I need help because I am no longer objective, and would love some help and a freshening up! Wonderful giveaway!
So exciting for you to launch this new endeavor! I just know you will find yourself keeping very busy with it! You obviously know a lot about my business already, but you may not know that I have plans in the works to kind of split the operations–one side will remain Mew Paper and be for fun stationery and invitations for more casual events, and then I want to develop a weddings only side–that is still fun and light hearted, but with a more sophisticated edge to the branding! I would be SO lucky to win your branding package because you totally get my aesthetic and could help bring it to life. Some people would say being a designer myself, I should just DO it myself! But there is a great value in collaborating with other talented professionals to bring a fresh perspective.
i am part of a wisconsin-based husband & wife photog duo (we’re both full-time). butch, my other half, and i shoot mainly weddings and we are together 24/7… it works for us since we are both mellow, easy-going, and motivated. the logo and overall brand aesthetic is something that has evolved for the last year and it is currently in a place where we are comfortable… but you should be COMFORTABLE with your brand look right?? you should be FIRED UP, in love, and just glowing when you look at/share/think about it. i know that it is still growing and perhaps it has gotten to a point where an outsider looking in on us would be able to better pin the tail on just WHAT our brand should look like. i am attending making things happen in vegas in just two weeks and know (KNOW!!) that this is a huge step in our business. we are in a market where photographers do it all… families, babies, maternity, pets, seniors, etc, etc, etc. however we are more of a boutique brand shooting primarily weddings, babies and seniors and that is something that we need to better define and cater to. while our business is still growing, now is THE time for us to take action. to polish, bundle up, tie together, and present to the world OUR brand. alright, i’m rambling now!! our goal is to convey ourselves to the world and create beautiful, organic portraits for our clients. we want to hone in on THAT client that is ideal and draw them in so that we are perfectly paired and have the same vision. we want to attract fun, happy people. toying with our brand a bit may be the golden ticket so those fun, happy people come running our way. what do you think??
Hi Bridget,
Thanks for the opportunity to offer your services to new startups.
My business is Party Assistance & Event Management in the Nashville, TN area. I worked as an event coordinator for five years at my previous job and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, organization and focus required for the job. In March 2010, I decided to leave the business world to focus on my family. After leaving my job, I began to receive phone calls and emails requesting to be hired for my event planning services. At that point, I knew I had a wonderful opportunity to pursue what I enjoyed most. My business was founded in November 2010 and just this past week I have officially launched my website and began marketing through social media.
My goals for my business is to begin as a two-tiered business, offering Party Assistance and Event Staff and grow into a four-tiered business, eventually adding Event Management and Wedding Planning.
Thank you!
Stephanie
[...] who to give the branding package to was such a difficult choice. I asked tough questions and those that entered stepped up to the plate [...]
[...] wrapping things up with my branding clients. And this one in particular. Back in January I held a giveaway for a full branding package and all of the entries were so moving but Dana’s really struck a cord with me. I could feel [...]
[...] you, too, are in need a brand makeover, hop on over to my branding package giveaway or send me an email to hello @ bridgettedwards.com. Share and [...]