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I thought it would be fun to share with you our process for branding and logo design. This particular case study is branding we created for Leslie at Elle F Bijoux. She designs unique necklaces from old pocket watches!
We start by creating an inspiration board based on images that the client has collected, or the concepts and ideas discussed. In this case the client, Elle F Bijoux, was drawn to art nouveau, vintage imagery and especially that of a woman to be included in the logo itself. This was a really fun project; I was super inspired by Leslie and her vision for the company.
This was my third time attending one of the fabulous Engage events visioned and designed by the super smart and kind Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce. I am a BIG fan of these two gals, to say the least. Razor sharp insight into the wedding industry, down to earth personalities and a passion like none I have seen before are just some of the qualities that make these two women so very praiseworthy. Engage is a haven for the luxury wedding professional, a breeding ground for big ideas and forward thinking. While each Engage event has differed from its predecessor, I can honestly say my business and my perspective on the wedding industry and my place within it has been completely transformed. Now listen, I am not saying that attending an Engage is a magic pill to fix any business, BUT I will say if you listen hard and engage mindfully, your attendance WILL be a transformative experience.
Held at the lush Encore Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Engage! 09: The Encore boasted a speaker list built by demand. Rebecca Grinnals, Kathryn Arce, Simon T. Bailey, Marcy Blum, Sean Low among others stood before an intimate yet talent packed room of attendees, captivating us with every word. I must mention also Tracey Kumer-Moore, from Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge, who was instrumental in making Engage come to life in what she called “her city”. I had the pleasure of spending some time with Tracey and was so grateful for her insights and fabulous recommendations for thoroughly enjoying Las Vegas!
From left to right, Rebecca and Kathryn, Tracey, and Simon!
A week ago I bumped into a floral friend. As always, we were talking shop. We were both at the end of our busy season so to say that we looked a little “beaten down” was an understatement. Both of us had dark circles under our eyes, hair a little out of place, and shoulders sagging from feeling weary about the season ahead. Both lacked sleep. Tired. Yulp.
After spending some time chatting, she mentioned that after 20+ years in the wedding floral business, she was struggling with paying the bills. And that she didn’t have much to show for it. After seeing so many ups and downs, she said that this year was the worst.
If someone with her experience is still having trouble making ends meet after investing 20 years in this business, then what can we learn from this?
During these times, it’s hard to feel bullish (confident and upbeat). Given that my background is finance, I often seem to have a “bear” mentality when it comes to business and consumer confidence, though on a personal level, I think I’m more glass-half-full than the glass-half-empty type.
In business and when it comes to consumer confidence, I confess that I’m conservative and bearish all the way (a bear investor or analyst is one that is “accompanied by widespread fear and pessimism” as defined by Wikipedia. ). And because I am bearish, this is what I have to say to those who are thinking of starting a career as a floral designer or a florist (or more simply put - anyone just going into business for yourself).
Here are some of the questions I’ve received in my inbox in the last few weeks. Feel free to contact me any time through e-mail at meg@princesslasertron.com, twitter @lasertron (which is easiest for me), or by leaving a comment here!
Q: What are your favorite tools? (From Dirsta Paola)
A: I love using decorative fabric scissors–Fiskars makes some pretty good ones. When I work I also always use a felt needle book made by Jenn Maruska–it holds my needles, scissors, and threads and it’s perfect for traveling while I work. (I have to say, I wish I thought of these first! The little embroidered pictures are to DIE for!)
I also love pom pom makers for stress relief, the awesome camera tripod I got from my grandma, and my iPod Touch (totally replaced the phone for me).
Hilary McHone is a Ford Fiesta agent who was chosen to take part in this innovative and creative social media experiment, traveling the country, taking photos, and documenting her adventures along the way through her blog and flickr site.
Every month, all of the Ford Fiesta agents receive a “mission,” and Hilary has been achieving them in the most amazing ways. In July, she fulfilled the “design” mission by planning her wedding using only independent artists and vendors found online through social media, which is how she found me, which is how she got her bouquet for her July wedding!
Another one of Hilary’s goals is to visit every state and stay overnight at someone’s house who she met through social media. This weekend she was staying at my parents’ house (my mom actively follows her twitter and blog) and I drove over last evening to finally meet her!
Here at Bella Figura, we love the opportunity to work with couples from all walks of life in designing and printing the letterpress wedding invitations of their dreams. Getting to know our clients is such a joy for us – we love when they share photos of their weddings and then come back to us later for letterpress baby announcements! So we thought we’d share a bit of insight into what makes the team at Bella Figura tick. First up, a little look behind the scenes with Bella Figura Client Coordinator, Tiffany…
Describe your typical day during the week…
6:00 – Alarm goes off. Typically I will hit snooze until 7:00 because I went to sleep WAY too late due to either (a) having been up all night reading whatever latest book has captured my imagination or (b) my dog snoring… she snores REALLY loud!
7:30 – By 7:30 I am showered and out the door way earlier than I need to be… but honestly, mornings are boring to me so I usually just head into the office early rather than sit around killing time.
As of September 1st, I am officially self-employed, and am proud to say that Eclectic Unions is my full time gig.
Since its inception in 2008, I have been dividing my time, working at a full time day job and running my Celebrant business. It has been very busy, but very rewarding.
Earlier this month, I decided it was time. I never expected my Celebrancy practice to get off the ground so quickly, and I feel so lucky, every single day, that I get to do what I do. I am so happy that I get to share these amazing, incredible, and inspired moments in my couple’s lives, and truly feel blessed.
I couldn’t have done it without the near endless support I’ve received from so many people in my life, especially my mom, my best friend Lindsey, and my fiance Dan. They have each helped to get me started in more ways than one, and I am lucky to have such a fabulous support system.
But most of all, I need to thank you – my amazing couples (past, current, and future), and my blog readers. Because of you, I get to wake up with a smile on my face every morning, and I get to follow my passion and my dreams.
It means the world to me.
Six seasons in, the shocked look on someone’s face who has just learned what I do and the demographics of my clientele never gets old.
This happened most recently last week, while lunching with the other entreverge winners (there are five of us total and no, we didn’t all bring our electric guitars), a now monthly appointment. In the typical getting-to-know-you early conversation, my fellow entrepreneurs spoke of their customers who are mostly local (or regional at best). Mine? Tho I love them and feel as tho I know them like neighbors, most are married in Maine but live elsewhere. And get this, I usually don’t lay eyes on them until their actual wedding day.
Thankfully my virtual studio, aka my website, includes anything and everything an inquiring bride might want to learn about me including a video that showcases my Portland studio, happy clients and me! Seeing and hearing someone is bounds more effective than just reading the usual narrative text or client quote. Add phone calls, emails and regular Twitter and Facebook interactions, and far away couples all feel comfortable booking me and greet like we’re old friends with excited hugs on their wedding day.
And while I’ve known this to be the case- most clients marrying local who are not local- since moving my business to Maine five (gulp! That went by fast!!) years ago, I’ve never really known how much most is exactly. I ran some numbers and put together some graphs and pie charts to show you. Because, really, who doesn’t love pie (Two Fat Cats, for the record and for those of you out-of-towners seeking Portland’s best, has my vote for best blueberry this time of year).
In 2009, emilie inc. booked 50 weddings. One was canceled and one was postponed, so that leaves us with 48. Of those couples:
- 83% live out of state, 17% live in Maine.
- 58% married in Maine, 21% in New Hampshire, 15% at destination locations (Mexico, St. John, Costa Rica, etc), 6% in Massachusetts. For those marrying in Maine who do not live here, most grew up vacationing here, perhaps went to college here or some have never been at all and picked it from browsing online!
Here are a couple more pictures from the Modern Bride Trendsetters Dinner that the pr agency sent over. It’s the only pictures I have of myself accepting the award! 
Christian Siriano looking fierce as always.
After spending a lot of time with other wedding professionals this past month, I seem to see a recurring issue. Many of us have been adversely affected by the economy. One vendor friend of mine recently told me that she was hopeful about 2010 until several of her brides started to cancel their consultations. Other professionals who are very well established and seasoned veterans asked me what they should do to drum up business, while another reduced their fees to be competitive and still continues to have issues with their bottom line. A few are puzzled that some are doing great while others are tanking. The question that everyone seems to ask is how to drum up business in this tough economy. Is there a solution?
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How do you drum up business? How do you keep one’s business healthy in this troubled economy? Why is one business doing well while another equal business is suffering?
I’m not sure I’ll answer all the questions but the first, most important thing to do in drumming up business is this:
Client Service is Key
Making sure that I take care of my clients is my number one priority. I use the term clients very loosely. A client to me could be a vendor, a direct customer (bride, groom, MOB), a purchasing agent, an editorial vehicle, a neighbor, a venue, etc.
Treating my clients with remarkable service has helped me to stay afloat during difficult times. There is a saying, “don’t bite the hand that feeds you”. It’s true. The better I service my clients, the better the health of my business. This also means going beyond, doing a little something extra.
(At the wedding pictured above, we ended up with two dozen extra roses. We decided to add a few to the chairs - it didn’t cost the bride a thing and it was a nice addition to these white folding chairs.)
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