Logos vs. Legos: Why One Block Doesn’t Build a Strong Brand Identity
You just paid a designer to create a slick new graphic for your business. You slapped it on the side of your fleet vehicles, embroidered it on the team polos, and stuck it at the top of your invoices. You mentally check the “marketing” box off your massive to-do list and get back to the […]
The Trap of “The Rush”
In design, we often have rush projects. They are the most likely to need an extra tweak or two before final production. I think that this has a lot to say about how we view time and rushing things. In our designer world, we tend to be very particular about our designs and design spaces. […]
Stop Waiting on Word of Mouth: When to Turn on the Faucet
We love word of mouth. It’s free, it brings high-trust clients, and it builds a legacy. But word of mouth has one major flaw: You can’t control the volume. Some months the phone rings off the hook; other months, you’re checking to make sure the line isn’t dead. If you are trying to scale a […]
Why Your Competitors Are Winning the “Near Me” War
Let’s play a game. Open a new tab and search for your primary service + your city (e.g., “Roofing Contractor Tupelo MS”). Do you show up in that “Map Pack”—the three businesses listed right under the map? If the answer is “no,” you are virtually invisible to 50% of your market. In the service industry, […]
Is Your Website Repelling Your Best Customers?
Spring is right around the corner. For many of you in construction, real estate, and home services, that means the phone is about to start ringing. But here is a question that keeps smart business owners up at night: How many people visited your website today and left without calling? We call this “The Leaky […]
Don’t Let Your Growth Goals Fizzle Out in February
By now, the shiny new planners are getting a little scuffed, the gym is starting to empty out, and the “New Year, New Me” energy is colliding with the reality of payroll, supply chains, and client calls. Statistics show that 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by the second week of February. In business, you […]
Why We Traded “Vibes” for a Code: 5 Rules Driving Our Culture
As a business owner, I used to think “culture” was something that just happened—a byproduct of hiring nice people and having a good product. But after reading Daniel Coyle’s The Culture Code with my book club, I realized that high-performing culture isn’t an accident. It’s a set of intentional behaviors. We decided to move away […]
Stop Throwing Spaghetti: Why “Random Acts of Marketing” Are Killing Your ROI
It’s the end of January. You’re back in the swing of things, and your inbox is likely full of salespeople selling you the “next big thing.” A spot on a digital billboard. A glossy magazine ad. A new SEO package that promises the moon. It is tempting to say “yes” to these one-off opportunities, thinking […]
Weathering the Storm: How Recent Winter Blasts Can Teach Small Businesses Resilience
The past few days have been a stark reminder that Mother Nature doesn’t care about your quarterly reports. From icy roads to power outages, the recent winter storms have thrown a wrench into daily life for many, and small businesses have felt the impact too. But beyond the immediate disruption, these events offer valuable lessons […]
New Year’s Resolution #1: Stop DIY Marketing and Get Back to Business
Let’s be real for a second. You didn’t start your construction company to stress over Instagram algorithms. You didn’t open your medical practice to spend Friday nights wrestling with a WordPress update. You built your business because you are an expert at what you do. But somewhere along the way, between the hustle and the […]
Looking Through a Dirty Window
Several mornings this week, my daughter and I have had a moment of waiting for our ride. During these, I dance around my kitchen to entertain the sleepy one-year-old as we wait. I have been able to see the sunrise a few of these mornings from my dancing spot through my kitchen window. This window […]
What Is Your Story?
“Storytelling is our obligation to the next generation. If all we are doing is marketing, we are doing a disservice, and not only to our profession, but to our children, and their children. Give something of meaning to your audience by inspiring, engaging, and educating them with story. Stop marketing. Start storytelling.” –Laura Holloway […]