Pre-Launch Era
Photo by Liubov Ilchuk on Unsplash
What I have been working on these past months.
Hello, Cozy Friends! This week has been a busy one developing the brand behind the scenes. But for this post, I wanted to go back and share what I’ve been up to, where I am in the brand and design process and what I think my next steps are.
After my initial meetings with our good friend, designer, and business owner Liora of AMLiora Designs, I began organizing my thoughts and goals around the 3 main areas most essential for the business: Defining the product and business, building a sustainable and functional operations workflow, and establishing an online marketing presence. With my background in design and brand development, I knew these areas were key to get right and have work holistically. Recognizing that this would be new on several fronts, I started setting my priorities.
For my pre-launch era, I settled on building simple frameworks for each key area:
Defining the product and business: develop a brand and product guideline
Building a sustainable operations workflow: understand costs and steps from design to product to listing
Establishing an online marketing presence: practice creating, testing and posting content regularly to build connection
I recognized that when I got overwhelmed with the unknown, that I would go to Instagram to find tips. I would fall into that rabbit hole getting more stressed and confused. I realized that the fear of messing up or showing up imperfect at the start was blocking my learning, experimenting and trying new things. Even with my experience in design and branding, this is still new. So, I have been giving myself grace to breathe and to keep going.
Progress so far.
Before I thought of designs and branding, I was thinking of budgets, operations and workflows. I wanted to know what essential tools I needed, what costs and product pricing could look like and what the strategic steps from concept, design, print, ordering, listing, marketing and beyond could look like.
So for the tools, I got myself an 11” ipad with the pencil to create hand-drawn designs and the Insta360 camera for filming high-res content. I researched different printing companies, reviewed their offerings, compared pricing, got samples of their products and reviewed the collections I want to design and build. Liora even connected me with a local printing broker to speak with who gave me some valuable insights. Unfortunately, it didn’t make sense for me to work with her yet, since I needed to print and test on a smaller batch of my first products to see which designs resonated with the market.
Recently, I set up my new Instagram account (@patmazurdesigns) to document and share my progress as well as start connecting and cultivating my community of creative and festive folks. I also updated my website to introduce myself and organize the working sections of the business (the shop and portfolio are still in the works). I am using my blog to further reflect and document my current thoughts and feelings during this journey.
Currently, I am developing the brand identity and product offerings. I am still learning how to navigate daily posts on Instagram, how to draw and design on the ipad and creating videos using my Insta360 and editing them (eventually!) My thoughts are possibly switching onto the iPhone from Samsung – I know, not all creatives use Apple products from the beginning! So my thoughts are swirling. For now, I am using and learning with what I have. (For my Apple creatives, let me know what you think, should I make the switch? When?)
At times it is a chaotic and multidirectional process. I set timelines so as to not get stuck or overwhelmed and am heavily using my planner journal to track my daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. It is exciting to start executing plans and building something that I genuinely care about and am excited about. I know that it can take time, but as long as I stay focused and keep improving, I know that I will get there. I am so grateful.
Taking it one day at a time.
With so many moving parts and areas to improve, it is easy to get lost in the saucy sauce I have been developing. It is a fun and exciting mix and I keep reminding myself that. On challenging days when I am overthinking or prefer to stay in my comfort zone, I tell myself that every post, every reflection, every note and research is worth sharing. That my voice is now part of the conversation.
I think of my little baby. How when she comes into the world, everything will be new for her. She will be learning so many new things before she can even speak. She will listen, babble, practice sounds then learn new words. In time, she will learn to express herself, her thoughts and feelings. When we are learning something new, we are like babies again. We are absorbing new information every day, organizing, learning, playing and applying it in new ways. Just as I want my baby to grow and develop in a supportive and encouraging place, I remind myself to create that space for myself, too.
Whatever current challenge you are facing today, a new skill you are working on in school or work, a fitness goal you are or a piece of art you are practicing or developing, I hope that you also create that safe, encouraging and supportive space for yourself. Whether you share your work in progress with others or not, I hope you know that I am cheering for you, too! Let’s keep going, we got this!
– Sincerely, Pat