Tweaking and building on my brand is an ongoing pleasure for me. Branding your business is an indelible impression, so much like a tattoo, you want to give a lot of thought to it. During my very early years in business, on a shoestring budget, I visualized Service Icons to represent each of my main service offerings.
You might wonder why I felt this way. Because I know we are visual beings in every area of our lives; and I like having a great visual to go along with descriptive names for my services.
A question I am often asked is, “Why the bee?” You’ll note my name is not McBee, it’s McBride, but I have a bumblebee in each of my icons. Well here is the story. The bee’s story is one of triumph against the odds. In aerodynamic terms, bees shouldn’t be able to fly. Their bodies are too heavy and their wings are too small. And yet they fly, achieving the impossible every day! In addition, we need bumblebees to pollinate the world so we enjoy flowers, fruit, and honey in our lives. Without bees, the world wouldn’t be the same.
At the time of choosing the bumblebee, the wonderful happy color of yellow became my brand color along with black and white. Now more than a decade later, I’ve developed an obsession with yellow. Both my book and journal are boldly covered in the bumblebee colors along with my other favorite visual, stripes. What brand colors do you have? How did you decide on those colors or symbols?
Many times in my life, I didn’t have the belief in myself to act on the opportunities that showed up. Each time I said, “No, I don’t know enough to do that,” someone would say, “You know more than you think you do” and would see in me the strength or talent that I did not see in myself.
I was smart enough to listen to them and take the chance to say YES to myself so I could have the confidence to explore and take on the opportunities that came to me. Looking back over the years those situations led me to the very best people, jobs and businesses of my life. I’m so completely humbled and filled with gratitude for the angels that were sent to me to say just the right things at just the right moments in my life.
I like to pay it forward by being that person in others’ lives, whether it be a neighbor, relative, client or even a stranger … choosing to point out to them the very best of themselves. Perhaps it’s just a smile or a compliment, and sometimes it’s sharing a not-so-bright time in my life that will help them see that no one has it all together all the time. We all have ups and downs, but “believe in yourself” is the best advice ever. It worked for me and I just know it can work for you.
This is a great story, Traci. Thank you for sharing your why the bee!!!
Deby – I appreciate your time in reading and commenting!