Re-Framing Your Dreams

On Saturday, I had the honor of being part of a remarkable event:
Launch Your Creativity.

This inspiring gathering is held each Spring in a gorgeous Parisian-themed tearoom, 

and attended by 45 women who are seeking guidance, support, and encouragement 

as they pursue their own creative dreams. 

Most dream of launching a new business – a store, a fashion line, a business service – 

and there are women who attend as a 'jump start' to a new life.

I am one of those women, too.

I joined seven AMAZING women on a panel of speakers:

LYC IV Speakers, from left:
me, Cheryl Turner, Tara Wilson, Sharon Hughes, Jenny Doh, 
Lidy Barrs, Jane Button, Debi Beard, and Christine Rose Elle.

Titled 'Re-Framing Your Dream', my presentation asked this question:
“What do you DO when your dreams don't work out the way you planned?”

Read the whole story and my presentation notes after the jump...

Five Things You Can Do to Improve Your Visual Impact

 A few years back, I shared information with design*sponge website readers  

on the subject of how to maximize  the visual impact of your business - 

no matter what your business is.

Maximum Visual Impact:

 ‘Tell Your Own Story’ in all visual communications. 

Make your brand an expression of your business’ individual mission, purpose, style, and products or services – and then leverage that brand by using it in every visual medium at your disposal. This is the main opportunity for you to show your potential customers why YOU are different than others - be proud of your individuality and build on it.

1. Be Consistent

When a potential customer sees your ad, finds your blog online, or is handed your business card, what is the next step for them? Probably to check out your web site and get more info on you. Then they’ll come to your place of business. Will they see the same business image in all of those mediums? Does your brand image engender confidence?

Plan the components of your design and utilize them across all mediums. From your business card to your web site to your store or office, the same visual elements should appear - color, logos, fonts, taglines, etc. should all flow seamlessly. There should be no question that they all reflect the best things about your business.

Working with clients to build their brand image visually, I help them choose elements that can be used in many mediums and materials to express a consistent image. We create a ‘brand palette’ that incorporates all of those elements to use in their brand expression. From the paint on the walls to the fixtures holding merchandise to the sign outside, it all plays off of their logo and business attributes. It’s experiential marketing because it immerses the customer into the brand – quite literally: When they walk into your place of business, your brand image surrounds them.

To read four MORE things you can do, go here...

content of this post copyright DWK 2009-2016; all rights reserved

no reproduction permitted - used by permision on design*sponge March 2009

['Tell Your Own Story' is a DWK tagline]

Small Store Sensation!

Retail businesses are finding new ways to thrive these days.

From shared leased spaces to pop-up shops and events to home-based locations,

we're seeing proof that 'Where there's a will, there's a way'.

I recently worked on a small retail shop located in a garage on rural property.

Yes, you heard that right:

A garage.

you're just dying of curiosity now, aren't you?! 

see the whole process after the jump...

Deb In Print: Entrepreneur Magazine online

I was recently interviewed by writer Jane Porter 

for an article in Entrepreneur Magazine 

'Five Retail Design Myths Debunked'  

also includes input from other retail design experts - and it's great advice!

The article released today on the Entrepreneur.com website - 

click here to read

Included in Jane's article is Sarah Parker, 

owner of 'Wild Fibers' yarn shop in Mount Vernon, Washington.

I met dynamic young business owner Sarah at the Yarn Market News Conference in 2010, 

when I presented a seminar on retail store design and visual merchandising. 

Sarah hired me to help her with some details in her store...

and the girl did EVERYTHING I had suggested in my seminar

and my consultation with her. EVERYTHING!

I am really happy that Jane asked me for an example 
of how retailers can smash design myths successfully, 
and that Sarah received this 'nod' in print for all her hard work.

Read about what we did in Sarah's store in these posts in my blog archives.

Thanks for reading!

Published

  FOLK Magazine Holiday 2012

includes my feature article on independent retailer 

Down Home Country Antiques in Orange, California

owned by Peggy and Don Arbenz

Photos by Deb Kennedy and Down Home Country Antiques

Published

FOLK Magazine has released their Fall 2012 Issue

FOLK is available in independent shops across the country, 

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, and on Amazon

my profile of American artisan  

Janet Sears of ReStitched USA 

appears on page 53

please visit Janet's etsy store , blog, and facebook page 

for more information about her products