If you’ve been following X, formerly known as Twitter of late, you’ll no doubt have heard of Elon Musk and his various changes to the platform. Some have been celebrated, and some have courted controversy. This article will not offer an opinion nor tell you how to think about this. However, most would agree that Mr. Musk has certainly made himself a visible presence on the platform. In many cases, this has generated headlines and courted backlash but has also cemented his following among those who appreciate his work and share his principles.
Few would deny, however, that the platform has been infused with his personality and personal brand since he took over. This begs the question – are there other examples of this happening in business, can it be a profitable venture, does it limit the potential for an organization to thrive, or is it an outright mistake?
If you’re running your own brand, how much of yourself and your identity should you visibly invest into it? Or should the two concepts be separate? Let’s consider that, below:
Your Values & Principles
Every brand is built around a core set of principles that come from somewhere, and more often than not, they reflect the founder’s beliefs. That might involve a focus on sustainability, customer care, fixing issues known within the industry, or even just a wacky, personality-filled approach, like opening a bakery that serves the largest and most indulgent cakes imaginable. Ultimately, it’s good to define these principles clearly and understand which are really worth focusing on from the jump, even if that means understanding provisions you give, such as medical malpractice insurance in your small clinic, or considering how you want to promote your own values in the industry.
Your Design Taste & Preferences
You get to name, design, and curate your business, even if it’s just deciding the shade of apron your small cafe workers wear. That said, as your company grows, it’s important to listen to feedback and adapt to the market. What might appeal to you personally might not always be what truly connects with your customer base, as any casual viewer of Ramsay’s Kitchen nightmares knows. So while it’s fine to infuse your brand with your design preferences early on, remember to keep your audience’s experience in mind. Few people would argue that “X” is as memorable as Twitter, for example.
Your Care For The Industry & Craft
One of the benefits a singular vision can have is that of passion and excitement. If you care deeply about what you’re doing, that’s going to come through in your messaging, your products, and your service, such as how the most famous comic creators all time came up with iconic designs and famous storylines simply because they thought it was awesome – think of Bob Kane and Batman. People will see that this isn’t just a business to you, but something of a creative work that defines itself through practical development and trading.
Your Willingness To Collaborate & Grant Autonomy Over Your Idea
As a bonus, we come to one of the biggest challenges for many founders – letting go. When you start something from the ground up, it can feel like your baby and you want to control it all. But as your business grows, you need to bring in other people who can help take it to the next level. If this is a value you have in mind, it could be the best thing you ever bring to your firm.
With this advice, you’ll be certain to invest your best qualities in your firm.
