creating your business style no.2

being authentic and recognisable

Photo credit: Leather-craft-37 Pixabay

So, do you relate to bold bright colours, or do you like pale, delicate pastels, classic dark muted tones or are you most at home with an eclectic mix? All these attributes could be suitable to wear in the same industry, but the perhaps the design aesthetic and the overall style of the business would look quite different. There is no correct style here, they would all work very well for the right business. The important distinction is that when you are developing your own style, make sure that you decide which aesthetic you are aiming for. The clients you attract with one approach, will not be the clients who resonate with another.

Are you working with professional businesses and people, or is your career focused on children? It might be that you have a very similar offering, but the image you project would be very different, so this is why you need to think about your interactions rather than take a broad brush approach. If these thoughts are new to you, or if you can’t quite make up your mind, then really take the time to think about things and do some research. As already mentioned, you are searching for an overall feeling here, not a definitive finished image. Look at what other people are wearing at work? Can you see some trends that appeal to you? What elements can you use in your own circumstances?

When you have found your authentic style, you will know it. It will be something that is recognisable, and importantly something that means you can easily relate to others. Whether you work in one business, or visit a number of related enterprises, your creative style should shine through. This isn’t about using the same colours or clothes for everything, it is far more about the feeling that each part of your overall styling conveys. Why not start to experiment and see what works best? Can you ask colleagues and clients what they think of your style as you try different ideas? You don’t have to stick to the same clothes as you build this new image, this initial creativity is all about pushing your boundaries to find what works best for you.

If you work for yourself, or have a big say in the creative side of the business, the same ideas broad ideas apply for your working environment. If you are going to decorate your workplace, you need to consider whether you are going for a bold or a subdued vibe, not the exact paint colour you will need to achieve your desired look, or the make of carpet you want. Keep this analogy in mind when you begin the process of defining what it is that makes you unique. You need to feel comfortable with your choices and embody the design direction, so it works for you on many levels.

All rights reserved. Milly Churchill asserts the right to be identified as the author of this work.