A company’s brand rests in the heart and mind of the consumer. It is reinforced with every touchpoint–from direct branding and marketing efforts to how the phone is answered. How effective are your brand’s touchpoints at communicating your core values, mission and vision? Because the consumer is the true owner of the brand, understanding it from their perspective plays a powerful role in shaping an effective branding and marketing strategy. As business owners and managers, we

There are scores of articles online about how to start your own business but learning the practical steps is the easy part. The greatest challenge is in the way we think, feel and therefore approach the process (or don’t). Our fear of the unknown, finances, failure and even success are the greatest roadblocks to achieving business owner status. I started my own businesses because I wanted the freedom to make more money and follow my own schedule. I started them because there

First published in the May 21st Issue of Cascade Business News With the rise of photography driven social platforms, accessibility of entry level equipment and technical advances in phone cameras, this once semi-exclusive art form has become a regular part of our everyday life. Builders, architects and designers now appeal to an audience who’s aesthetic tastes have been galvanized by a steady feed of arresting images online. Good is arguably not good enough. Potential homebuy

As featured in the August 17th, 2017 Issue of Cascade Business News Throughout the course of her life Cheryl McIntosh has leaned into every opportunity that tugged at the heart of her creative spirit. As the founder of DONE Photography + Marketing and co-founder of Studio Absolute Branding + Design, her passion lies in helping other self-starting entrepreneurs do the same. Cheryl identifies herself as the “photographer with a marketing background,” but after a brief conversa

You are ready to hire a creative partner–an advertising or marketing agency, branding firm or photographer. It's a significant investment and your company's reputation depends on a solid partnership. Here are 8 tips on how to enter into an agreement with confidence, know what questions to ask and provide your creative team effective direction that will help yield the best results. 1. View and understand the portfolio. There are a few questions to ask that will help form an ac