Like a leap of faith, starting a business requires courage. Not the fleeting bravery that lasts minutes when contemplating diving into the unknown. This is staring into the horizon without a compass and committing your mind, spirit, and soul to an endeavor that will require long-term consistency. It’s like being overwhelmed by an onslaught of thoughts that can range from crushing doubts to inspiring visions of success. Despite entrepreneurs’ myriad responsibilities, their determination to succeed alleviates the burden. In my experience, as I became more adept at navigating these challenges, it became increasingly easier to find clarity and direction during difficult times.
“Don’t shy away from criticism or complaints. Embrace them as one of the most valuable assets a business owner can have to achieve greatness. A successful brand culture is more than just money. It’s the rewarding and negative experiences between you and your clients and how much you’ve learned from them.” – Justin Jenkins, Artist & Designer
Business owners, like me, are service-driven and have an insatiable need to satisfy their client and customer base. We have an infinite passion for our product or service and want it to enhance our client’s life. When we fall short of expectations and openly listen to feedback from our most important assets, our clients, we gain an invaluable resource that leads us to a greater transformation as individuals and entrepreneurs. What wasn’t possible for us in unfamiliar territory now becomes a more comfortable zone for us to have more confidence. It’s only a matter of time if we keep an open mind and stay positive, where running our business becomes second nature. We create a flow that is in sync with our mission and delivers rewarding experiences for our valued clients and customers.
After almost 10 years of growing my design agency and learning from the ups and downs, I have transformed my attitude and approach. Everything mirrors life, and growing as a leader and creating a brand culture is like growing up. We either choose to learn and grow, or we reject it and falter. I want to share what I’ve learned and how it could transform you as well.
Cut to the Chase. Be straightforward, and don’t waste a client’s time. They want you to satisfy their needs quickly and efficiently.
Whether you’re selling a product or providing a service, create a culture of expectation that is efficient, reliable, and fast. The last thing clients want is to wait longer than expected or get a product delivered late. This creates a bad experience that resonates with your brand culture and can manifest itself in many negative ways. This leaves the impression that your brand can’t meet expectations of deadlines (designing in my case) or shipping timeframes is a missed opportunity. Rather than coming up short, try to add extra perks and go the extra mile to not only meet deadlines and shipping times but add even more value by creating VIP discounts. Nothing is more satisfying than receiving a service or product before the deadline and getting a surprise gift or coupon. From my experiences, I’ve turned negative experiences into positive ones simply by fixing my mistakes and adding value. Making a wrong right is part of the entrepreneurial attitude and passion. It not only saves your business and relationship with the client but forms an even stronger bond of loyalty.
Consistency is the key to Longevity. Practice being as consistent as possible with High Standards. Never compromise this Important Opportunity.
The backbone of any business is consistency. Maintaining high standards for the quality of work or products is at the heart of brand loyalty. The brand is only as strong as the last client’s experience. Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, an organization’s culture requires that every team member adhere to consistent standards and maintain a positive attitude. A single weak link can undermine the entire structure. Your brand serves as your signature, leaving clients and customers with lasting impressions based on their experiences with your organization. Every time a client wants a new project or product, your “consistency radar” should be buzzing in your mind. The more you practice this, the easier it gets to remain consistent without too much thought. It comes naturally to your culture and brand.
Establish Clear Expectations with Clarity and Commitment. Strong Communication Is a Valuable Resource for Any Business.
Don’t be afraid to speak clearly and concisely. Being clear with clients earns respect for your brand. Clients want clarity in every business dealing. Far too often, we are afraid to be straightforward and set expectations because we don’t want to fail or come up short. Again, the courage to be an entrepreneur manifests itself in every area of business. Putting that pressure on yourself and your team is a good thing. Embrace this energy as another opportunity to deliver a win. When I refer to winning, it mean creating even more loyalty and confidence between you and your clients. Failing to set clear deadlines, quality expectations, and client demands will leave a stronger negative impression than exceeding their expectations. Lasting impressions are strengthened through your ability to deliver.
Passion and Enthusiasm is Infectious. Clients Want to Be Inspired. Feeling Positive Energy Towards Their Project Reinforces Their Trust and Confidence in You.
I’ve always lived my life with passion. I use this energy to drive my ambitions and face all challenges. I’ve also witnessed people on my team who come across as less than enthusiastic. This energy has a polarizing effect on the positive vibes that create infectious cultural behaviors. One negative person can bring an entire group down. Clients want to hear a smile on the phone and excitement buzzing around their ideas and projects. They hired you to get their results, and when you get excited and passionate about it, this energy creates a manifestation of desirable outcomes. How we approach any challenge is the key to lasting results and overall impression. I’ve won many clients during consultations because of my passionate attitude towards their brand ideas. When I approached it, tired or not as interested, they decided to hire a different designer. This goes for any business platform or foundation. Every potential client is a great opportunity to “wow” them.
Be Open to Change. Running a Business means Re-Inventing Your Model Based on The Valuable Feedback from Clients and their Experiences.
Don’t shy away from criticism or complaints. Embrace them as one of the most valuable assets a business owner can have to achieve greatness. A successful brand culture is more than just money. It’s the rewarding and negative experiences between you and your clients and how much you’ve learned from them. These are priceless interactions. Each client represents a unique journey and courtship between you and them. Service or product, they want a brand they can rely on and come back to time and time again for their needs to be not only met but exceeded. They want to help you understand where you failed or succeeded. Part of their relationship with you is not just for a service or product but to give feedback to a brand they believe in. Change is hard and uncomfortable. But learning to navigate through this powerful force can be the very thing you need to grow and reach the heights of your brand potential.
Setting Sail into the Unknown. Our Mission and Values Will Be Tested.
Upon boarding the vessel and departing from the shore, we navigate into the uncertain waters of perilous seas. Our hearts hold firm convictions, our minds contemplate unexpected occurrences, and our spirits provide the fortitude to proceed without hesitation. This scenario is the very essence of starting a business and hoping to learn from it. We set sail without any idea what the future holds, but we want to shape the future by opening our hearts and minds to change and learning. Our belief in our mission guides us. Enthusiasm drives us forward, and passion helps us overcome obstacles to reach our goals. No matter how hard the water crashes against our boat, we commit to a long-term voyage that will build our character and test our resolve by the time we reach a distant shore. Our business is that voyage. Along the way, we will forge strong connections with our clients (passengers) who take a chance on us and sail alongside us. They also believe in our mission.
“I’ve won many clients during consultations because of my passionate attitude towards their brand ideas. When I approached it, tired or not as interested, they decided to hire a different designer. This goes for any business platform or foundation. Every potential client is a great opportunity to ‘wow” them.” – Justin Jenkins, Founder & Designer for Justin Jenkins Designs
