business Archives - Maura McMahon

The Women’s Business Initiative

November 29, 2017 By mauramcm888

I’m super excited to be working with a brilliant group of professional business women (and a few select men) on a new business development project in Tacoma, WA. Currently under development in a local business incubator called RAIN, we’re pulling in the expertise of all who are interested. We’re collaborating with everyone from city & county people to politicians to independent business owners to retired professionals. The vast knowledge base is humbling.

Our goal is to provide women who have entrepreneurial inclinations – the resources, education and business support they need in developing their own businesses. It’s time to start to even out the scales a little bit…

Studies show that women lag behind men in creating entrepreneurial ventures and receiving funding. Only 11% of US firms with venture-capital backing have been founded or led by women, and women-led ventures have received only 7% of all venture funds.”

From Forbes, What’s Gender Bias Got To Do With It? Almost Everything For Women Seeking Venture Funding (Read the full article here)

After establishing the mission statement, the next step was developing a new logo design (one of my favorite things to do!).

The graphical concept is breaking down growth to a base level – everything is created from cells/dna/genes.

The graphic is the shape of a cell, with another shape breaking through that, and could be a stylized strand of dna or a “W” (for Women). The linear structure of the cell is the base level structure from which we create. The breakthrough shape is the organic flow of creation, women, growth – we all know there’s nothing linear about that.

To join our newly formed public group on FaceBook, click here.

Unleashing the Power of Your Brand

March 19, 2017 By mauramcm888

Having a memorable brand is like wielding a very sharp sword that slices through the noise of a global marketplace.

It’s not only a symbol of strength, integrity and power – it’s also a very useful tool. Using it freely gives you the ability to cut through the confusion of mixed messaging – which only works to weaken your business. When in a confused state, people freeze with inaction. A memorable, well developed brand resonates with it’s target market and encourages engagement.

[Strength]

A memorable brand empowers it’s wielder with crystal clear purpose. That clarity of purpose results in strong messaging. When people understand your message, they’re more inclined to align with it or against it. Either way, opportunities for action arise. The strength of your brand lies in it’s ability to communicate clearly and inspire action.

[Integrity]

A memorable brand brings forth integrity. It’s living, breathing proof you believe in the success of your business enough to nurture it, develop it and invest in it. Diving deep to the inner workings of your business is not an easy task, it takes time and commitment. However, once you’ve figured out your vision – the pay off is huge. When others see the results of solid business development, it creates a compelling story that invites people in. We trust businesses who show integrity.

[Power]

Behold the power of the memorable brand! It can propel you forward – faster & further than you ever thought possible. It can double, triple and quadruple your income. It can exponentially increase your reach and impact the world. A well developed brand acts as your very own super power.

Unleashing the power of your brand results in a frenzy of activity for your business. It works to support your messaging, improve engagement and increase visibility. All of which results in more growth and opportunity.

There’s a reason the world’s most successful business owners have invested in developing their memorable brands – it works!

Logo vs. Brand – What’s The Difference?

March 15, 2017 By mauramcm888

What’s the difference between a logo and a brand?

A logo is a symbol, image and/or combination of letters that visually represent your business. Most often, it’s a combination of a graphical image combined with the letters that spell out a business name.

A brand is much more complex than a logo. It’s a combination of many different elements that represent the overall ‘personality’ of a business. A basic brand includes a logo, a tagline, a mission statement, a color palette and various products or services that the business provides. A well developed brand will also include an engaging story, various graphical & photographical images, ideas that it aligns with, perhaps sounds & music, perhaps scents or tastes.

I like to think of a brand as a completely separate person, with all the senses we have to relate to it:

1. Sight

Does the business have a logo, color palette, type faces, specially shaped business cards, a website and/or social media channels? If viewed separately, can you tell those elements are part of the same business?

2. Sound

What is the business saying – what’s the tone of it’s content? And how does that make people feel? Does it have a theme song? Sound effects?

3. Touch

How does the business ‘handle’ it’s clients? And how do the actual business materials feel? Does it have a ‘soft touch’ coating on it’s business cards? Are it’s products eco friendly?

4. Taste

Is the business “tasteful” or “tasteless?” Is it’s ‘flavor’ spicy, sweet or sour?

5. Smell

If the business has a scent what it is? Fishy, floral, woodsy, citrus?

You can even take it out of the physical and into the spiritual – think about things like a spirit animal, totem, god or goddess, energies and/or chakras that represent the business brand. Diving deep into the ‘personality’ provides more opportunities for people to engage with & experience it, which creates a stronger way of relating to it. The more relatable the business brand is, the more memorable it becomes – and a memorable business is a successful business!

Isn’t that the goal?