Business Archives – Afri-love

From mundane to magical with soulful branding

I recently received an unexpected invitation: to share the concept of soulful branding at a Kenya Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife conference! The title of my panel: “From mundane to magical.”

The first African Safari Summit brought together different stakeholders from the sector,to reimagine the African Safari. Players included government, hotel and lodge owners, tour operators and more. The ultimate goal? Over 4 million annual foreign tourist arrivals; over KES 1.14 trillion earned from tourism in 2030; and jobs provided for 3 million Kenyans.

I thought to myself – how progressive of the organisers to consider the power of soulful branding in this context!

To give you an example of how soulful branding can be applied in real life, I’m sharing what I prepared.

Continue reading “From mundane to magical with soulful branding”

4 strategies for more productivity (and joy)

I often get asked how I do it all.

I work with clients on branding, illustration and mural commissions. I produce a line of stationery and lifestyle products, featuring my illustrations. I run an online branding course. I run a festival. I co-run a networking club for female founders. I regularly publish blog posts, I send weekly emails to my list and I try to post daily 2 of my Instagram accounts. I’m raising a toddler and I’m trying to have a life again. Productivity is essential! Continue reading “4 strategies for more productivity (and joy)”

How your business philosophy can help you grow

We all have personal values and beliefs, as well as experiences and interests that inform our business philosophy.

Often, this philosophy is behind the scenes and something we don’t consciously tie into how we talk about what we offer (i.e. our marketing). Sure it seeps into everything because we are so connected to it but, have you ever considered writing it down, in one place, for the world to see?

Have you ever sat down, with your strategic hat on, and thought about how all the products and services you offer directly tie into the different aspects of your philosophy? Continue reading “How your business philosophy can help you grow”

The power of finding your voice: my Soulful Branding story

It took me a while to appreciate the power and necessity of finding my voice.

You know what it’s like to be excited but frustrated at the same time? When you’re full of ideas for your brand and business but, you hit a roadblock because you’re unable to properly express them and live them?

My story

I experienced this frustration for years. I felt that there was a certain way I should be doing business and therefore a certain way I needed to present myself. To be palatable – welcoming to anybody who might need services in my skillset.

As a result, I attracted clients I didn’t really want to work with and so, I didn’t feel like I was creating my best work and I held back on the kind of work I really wanted to do. Continue reading “The power of finding your voice: my Soulful Branding story”

Afri-love Connection Club for female founders

The Afri-love Connection Club is one of the highlights of my inadvertent “year of yes” (I finally read the Shonda Rhimes book this Christmas and it was a revelation!).

In May 2018, my friend and business BFF, Danielle Anderson of Step and Stone, launched the Afri-love Connection Club – a place for female founders to come together to transform their business and their lives.

We really had no idea what to expect when we began. Initially hoping for 15 members, within one day of launching, we had way more applicants than that! We had dreams but, would other women buy into them? Continue reading “Afri-love Connection Club for female founders”

KCB Lion’s Den: 9 things I learned from appearing on the show

If you’d asked me a few months ago, if I’d ever pitch on KCB Lion’s Den, I’d probably have said “no way!”

The thought was totally outside my comfort zone.

And yet, here we are – my episode aired tonight: Tuesday 23rd October, 2018.

The past few months have been all kinds of scary, amazing and overwhelming and, I’m so happy I pushed myself out of my “easy” place.

Here’s some of what I learned (and re-learned) along the way:

Continue reading “KCB Lion’s Den: 9 things I learned from appearing on the show”

9 things I’ve learned about branding (and life)

Last year, while launching a branding course when my son was just a few months old, it dawned on me that there were several parallels between branding principles and infant development. Upon further reflection, I realised that there are indeed several parallels between branding and life!

Today, I’d like to share branding lessons that I’ve learned, in my 10+ years of professional advertising and graphic design practice, and my 30+ years of life.

Continue reading “9 things I’ve learned about branding (and life)”

Today is the day to stop neglecting your personal projects. Here’s why and how.

Today is the day to stop neglecting your personal projects.

Also referred to as self-directed, passion or side projects, these are those exciting ideas you’ll spend all of your time on, once your guardian angel or winning lottery ticket arrives.

Continue reading “Today is the day to stop neglecting your personal projects. Here’s why and how.”

How to save money when commissioning creative work

You’ve decided you need a professional to create something for you and you appreciate that their skill, expertise and style deserve commensurate compensation. You’re investing in work that will benefit you – whether to increase awareness of your product or service, to grow sales, to better serve your customers and so on. The creative is valuable in achieving your goals and thus, you are happy to pay for their input. However, you do have a budget you need to stick to, without incurring additional costs.

The following are some tips on how to do this, based on my 10+ years of experience, as a creative working with clients:

Continue reading “How to save money when commissioning creative work”

No new clothes: a story about branding and freedom

Branding and freedom aren’t two words you usually see together in a sentence. Let me tell you a story …

I used to go to job interviews in a suit. A nondescript black or navy trouser suit that was ill-fitting in so many ways. Firstly, the anatomy I’m blessed with makes finding a flattering off-the-shelf trouser suit quite difficult. Vanity aside, there I was, a young excited professional creative, going to find a job in my field, looking like an accountant!

Somewhere along the journey into adulthood, I had picked up this idea that this is how things were done. Serious situations like job interviews called for “serious” attire and, we all know that means a suit. Despite the fact that people who already worked at these places never/rarely wore suits. Despite the fact that I was largely being judged on my creativity and, we all know how your visual presentation has the power to influence decisions. My choice of clothing just didn’t make sense.

Presentation is everything

Continue reading “No new clothes: a story about branding and freedom”