When I talk to current clients, prospective clients, other entrepreneurs, or really just anyone asking about what it is that I do, one thing keeps coming up: what’s the first thing I need to know when starting a business? Fair warning, this is one of my favorite soapboxes.

The first thing you’ve got to know guys is: who the heck is your audience? The reason this is crucial, and you’re going to hear me say this a heck of a lot, is that your. brand. is not. about. you. I know I know…it really rubs a lot of people the wrong way. But that’s the truth of the matter.

Now, saying it’s not about you doesn’t mean you shouldn’t love your business and your brand. And it doesn’t mean you can’t have a brand that embodies what you do and who you are. Hopefully, your business centers around that about which you are most passionate, and, to that end, it absolutely will and should be personal. But it’s still not about you. 

This is where we have to get out of our own way and realize our brand is about…drum roll, please…our audience. It’s about who you’re serving. And if your message isn’t getting to the people who need you the most, then what’s the point? Who are we without those whom we aim to serve? What are we really doing?

So that’s the first thing. You’ve got to know who your audience is. And I would encourage you to make sure you can answer four questions. If you can’t answer these four questions, keep exploring. Because until you can answer these four, you don’t really have a brand yet. It doesn’t mean you’re not on your way, you’re just not there yet.

Question number one: who are you? And not literally. I mean, I’m Stephanie Powell, and that’s great, but who are you as a business and a brand?

What do you do? That’s question number two. I’m Stephanie Powell, and I’m a brand strategist and a creative designer. I create badass brands for mission-driven entrepreneurs by identifying what makes them unique so they can stand out and increase their income AND impact. More specifically, I create and develop intentional brand strategies. And then provide branding and web design solutions for my clients. 

Third question: who do you serve? This goes back to what we just talked about, right? You got to know who your audience is. My audience starts with servant-minded and mission-driven entrepreneurs. And if we want to get really niched down (which we’ll cover another time), I serve businesses that are already established. It’s not that I won’t work with newbies but, for the most part, I’m focused on those businesses who value branding, know their audience and their competitors, and have realized their brand isn’t quite hitting the mark and/or isn’t reaching their audience the way they would like.

The fourth question is: what problems do you solve? For me, I create those badass brands that get my clients to a place where their brand and their message is so clear and so consistent, they’re not only speaking to their target audience, but they are captivating them. Their holy grail clients can’t imagine working with anybody else. And because they’re serving THEIR people, that mission is being realized and they’re making an impact.

Remember, I’m always here to answer questions, if you’re not a part of our little community on Facebook, come on with it! If you are and you know people who might benefit and/or have great stuff to contribute, send them the link to join! I’m definitely not the only one who has insights or information, and we’re all here to learn and grow and challenge the heck out of ourselves.

All right, everyone, have a great week, and we’ll chat soon.