In 2020, I had the opportunity of working with Action Driven Education (ADE) on a rebrand to help them align a visual identity with their powerful mission. ADE provides educators and parents with innovative tools to support children with special needs, focusing on their abilities, not their disabilities. With programs like the Accomods app, which helps teachers create custom learning accommodations, and the Barrier Moving Mindset program, which aids in overcoming teaching challenges, ADE needed a brand that reflected their solutions-driven approach to special education.

Before: The original ADE logo. They liked the concept of gears being included but wanted something a little more complete that better conveyed their story.

The original ADE logo featured a tree, symbolizing growth and development, but it felt disconnected from the innovative, tech-savvy services they provide. So, I worked closely with their founders, husband and wife duo Tim and April Kretchman, to create a fresh, modern brand identity that integrates both natural and technological elements. The new logo still embraces the idea of growth but does so in a more connected, cohesive way. By incorporating people as the trunk and gears within the leaves into an abstract tree design, we emphasized ADE’s balance between nurturing education and the practical tools they offer.

After: The new master logo after the rebrand. We updated the color palette and made the logo more versatile so that it can be used with and without the icon. The tree is less obvious but the new logo now shows excitement. 

The refreshed color palette of greens, with pops of yellow and orange, symbolizes growth, optimism, and warmth—values at the heart of ADE’s mission. The result? A brand that feels welcoming, empowering, and modern, appealing to both educators and parents who are seeking real solutions for individualized learning.

Tim, from ADE, described the transformation best:

“When I go to conferences, everything feels connected—messaging, logo, everything. People stop by our booth and say they get a good feeling from ADE, and our message resonates with them.”

It’s more than just a look—it’s about creating a brand that communicates trust and clarity from the moment someone engages with them.

This is the power of great branding. It’s not just about visuals; it’s about creating a cohesive experience that communicates your message clearly and effectively. For ADE, this means they can focus less on explaining who they are and more on serving their community.

It’s thrilling to see how this rebrand is helping Action Driven Education make a bigger impact, empowering teachers, parents, and children to thrive. They’ve been able to take the brand to greater heights, and I’m honored to have had the opportunity to provide them with the tools to take off running. 

If your brand no longer reflects who you are or where you’re headed, it might be time for a refresh. Whether you’re a new business or an established one looking for a fresh start, we’re here to help you create a cohesive, impactful brand that resonates with your audience. Schedule a discovery call with us today, and we can explore how a rebrand can take your business to the next level.

Have you outgrown your brand or need to take it to a new level? Schedule a strategy call to see how I may be able to support you through the process. 

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Imposter syndrome is a common struggle for many professionals, including brand designers and small business owners. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting out, feeling like you’re not good enough can impact your work and well-being. Here’s how you can overcome these feelings and build confidence in your business.

Understanding Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is when you feel like you’re not as capable as others think you are. It often shows up as:

• Self-doubt: Constantly questioning your skills and achievements.
• Attributing success to luck: Believing your success is due to chance rather than your abilities.
• Fear of exposure: Worrying that others will find out you’re not as talented as they think.

For all kinds of small business owners, these feelings can be particularly tough due to the high expectations and pressures in your work.

Tips to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

• Acknowledge Your Feelings: The first step is to admit that you’re experiencing imposter syndrome. It’s common and doesn’t reflect your actual abilities. Talking to other professionals can help you see you’re not alone.

• Keep Track of Your Successes: Document your accomplishments, client testimonials, and positive feedback. When self-doubt creeps in, looking back at this can remind you of your skills and achievements. Create a “brag file” to store emails, notes, and projects that highlight your success.

• Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable goals for your projects and business. Break down larger tasks into manageable steps, and celebrate small wins. This not only boosts your confidence but also provides a clear path to success.

• Keep Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in your field. Take courses, attend workshops, and participate in industry events. Continuous learning keeps you confident in your skills and shows you’re keeping up with the industry.

• Seek Feedback and Mentorship: Constructive feedback from peers and mentors can help you grow as a professional. Join professional groups, attend networking events, and seek out mentors who can offer guidance and support. Seeking feedback is a sign of strength, not weakness.

• Be Kind to Yourself: Recognize that everyone makes mistakes. Perfectionism can fuel imposter syndrome, so allow yourself to learn and improve. Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer to a friend facing similar challenges.

• Limit Comparisons: Comparing yourself to others can hurt your confidence. Understand that every professional has a unique journey and that social media often only shows the successes, not the struggles. Focus on your growth and progress rather than comparing yourself to others.

• Embrace Your Unique Perspective: Your unique experiences and perspective are valuable. Embrace what makes you different and use it in your work. Clients and customers look for authenticity, and your distinct approach can set you apart.

• Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with supportive peers, colleagues, and friends who understand the industry’s challenges. A strong support network can provide encouragement, share experiences, and offer a sounding board for ideas.

• Reflect on Your Journey: Take time to reflect on how far you’ve come. Recognize the obstacles you’ve overcome and the progress you’ve made. This can reinforce your belief in your abilities and remind you of your growth.

Conclusion

Overcoming imposter syndrome is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, patience, and support. Whether you’re a brand designer or a small business owner, it’s important to recognize your value and embrace your unique talents. By implementing these strategies, you can build confidence, foster resilience, and thrive in your business. Remember, you’re not an imposter; you’re a talented professional with a lot to offer.

Have you outgrown your brand or need to take it to a new level? Schedule a strategy call to see how I may be able to support you through the process. 

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In today’s world, social media has become an essential tool, if not a necessity, for small businesses looking to make a significant impact with limited resources. At JC Design & Media, we understand the power of strategic storytelling and intentional design in driving brands forward. Today we’re going to share actionable social media strategies tailored specifically for small businesses to help you amplify your brand’s presence and engage with your target audience effectively.

1. Define Your Goals and Objectives

Before diving into the world of social media, it’s crucial to define clear goals and objectives. What do you hope to achieve? Whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, or boosting sales, having specific, measurable goals will guide your strategy and help you track your progress.

Tip: Use the SMART criteria to set goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

2. Know Your Audience

Understanding your target audience is fundamental to creating content that resonates. Research their demographics, interests, and online behaviors. Use tools like Facebook Insights, Google Analytics, and social media tools to gather data and refine your audience persona.

Tip: Create detailed buyer personas to guide your content creation and engagement strategies.

3. Choose the Right Platforms

Not all social media platforms are created equal. Focus on the platforms where your audience is most active. For instance, Instagram and Pinterest are ideal for visually-driven brands, while LinkedIn is perfect for B2B businesses.

Tip: Start with one or two platforms to master before expanding to others. This ensures you’re not spreading your resources too thin.

4. Develop an Actual Content Strategy

Content is king when it comes to social media. Develop a content calendar that aligns with your business goals and audience interests. Mix up your content types to keep your feed interesting—using a blend of images, videos, stories, infographics, and blog posts.

Tip: Leverage user-generated content to build community and trust. Encourage customers to share their experiences with your products or services.

5. Engage Consistently

Social media is not just about broadcasting; it’s about building relationships. (Read that again.) Engage with your audience by responding to comments, participating in conversations, and showing appreciation for their support. Regular, authentic interaction builds loyalty and trust.

Tip: Use tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to schedule posts and manage interactions efficiently.

6. Be Intentional with Hashtags

Hashtags increase your content’s discoverability. Research popular and relevant hashtags in your industry and include them in your posts. However, avoid overloading your posts with too many hashtags.

Tip: Create a branded hashtag to encourage user-generated content and enhance your brand’s visibility.

7. Leverage Paid Advertising

Organic reach on social media can be limited. Investing in paid advertising can boost your reach and target specific demographics. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer strong ad targeting options that can help you reach your ideal audience.

Tip: Start with a small budget, test different ad formats, and optimize based on their performance and reach.

8. Analyze and Adjust

Regularly analyze your social media performance to understand what’s working and what’s not. Use analytics tools provided by each platform to track key metrics such as engagement rate, reach, and conversions. Adjust your strategy based on these insights to continually improve your results.

Tip: Conduct A/B testing to determine the most effective content types, posting times, and ad creatives.

9. Stay Authentic

In the world of social media, authenticity reigns supreme. Be genuine in your interactions and transparent in your communications. Share your brand story, values, and behind-the-scenes glimpses to build a deeper connection with your audience.

Tip: Authenticity fosters trust and loyalty, which are invaluable assets for any small business.

Conclusion

By following these steps, your small business can leverage social media to its fullest potential, creating meaningful connections and driving growth.

Please note we are not social media managers, but we’re friends with plenty if you’re looking for a trusted referral. What we specialize in is how to translate your brand to content. This is where we truly shine. So, if you need further assistance or tailored strategies for your brand, contact us here. We’re here to help you succeed!

Have you outgrown your brand or need to take it to a new level? Schedule a strategy call to see how I may be able to support you through the process. 

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In a world where smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops coexist, ensuring your website looks stunning across all devices isn’t just a bonus – it’s a necessity. The world of responsive design, where every pixel counts and every screen size is a canvas waiting to be painted. Today we’re going to look at the art and science of responsive design, ensuring your website shines bright, no matter the device.

The Beauty of Adaptability

Your website morphs seamlessly from a sleek desktop display to a mobile layout with a flick of the wrist. That’s the magic of responsive design – it’s all about adaptability. By crafting flexible layouts and fluid grids, we ensure that your website looks and feels amazing on any screen size, from the tiniest smartphone to the largest desktop monitor.

User Experience

At the heart of responsive design lies one key factor: user experience. We’re not just designing for screens; we’re designing for people – real people with real needs and expectations. With responsive design, we prioritize user experience, ensuring that visitors can navigate your website effortlessly, no matter how they choose to access it.

Mobile First, Always

It’s essential to adopt a mobile-first approach to design. By starting with the smallest screen size and progressively enhancing the experience for larger devices, we ensure that your website delivers a stellar experience to mobile users, setting the foundation for success across all devices.

Performance Matters

Speed matters – now more than ever. With responsive design, we optimize performance across all devices, ensuring that your website loads quickly and smoothly, regardless of the device or network conditions. By prioritizing performance, we create a seamless browsing experience that keeps visitors coming back for more.

Content is King

Responsive design isn’t just about resizing images and rearranging layout elements; it’s about crafting a cohesive content experience that resonates with your audience. From compelling copy to stunning visuals, we ensure that your content shines bright on every device, capturing attention and driving engagement every step of the way.

Testing

The key to responsive design success? Testing, testing, and more testing. We put your website through its paces across a range of devices, screen sizes, and browsers, ensuring that every pixel is perfect and every interaction is smooth. With rigorous testing, we’ll make sure that your website looks and performs flawlessly, no matter where it’s viewed.

Future-Proofing Your Design

Technology is ever-evolving and future-proofing your design is essential. With responsive design, we future-proof your website by adopting scalable, flexible solutions that adapt to new devices and technologies as they emerge. By staying ahead of the curve, we ensure that your website remains relevant and impactful for years to come.

In conclusion, responsive design isn’t just a trend – it’s a mindset and a commitment to crafting exceptional digital experiences. By prioritizing adaptability, user experience, and performance, we ensure that your website looks great and performs flawlessly across all devices, captivating audiences and driving results.

Ready to elevate your website to new heights? Let’s start this journey together and create something truly awesome.

Have you outgrown your brand or need to take it to a new level? Schedule a strategy call to see how I may be able to support you through the process. 

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Sustainability is an important core value of mine in my personal life and I try to bring these practices into my business as well. And with the world’s growing concerns about the climate and waste, the sustainability movement is growing as well. Here are some eco-friendly practices that can be used to embrace sustainability.

Eco-Consciousness in Your Personal Life

Embracing sustainability in your daily life can be intimidating, but it is less daunting if you take small steps. There are ways to make small differences in your lifestyle that can make a big impact, and plus make your life a little easier.

Recycling Unwanted Clothes

If you are someone who takes advantage of spring cleaning to get your life back together, then you probably have realized that you have an abundance of clothing or other items that you know longer need. That’s where donation and recycling comes in. 

While it’s the typical reaction to donate clothes to a local charity shop, unfortunately these clothes are still likely to end up in a landfill instead of a new home. That’s not to say you should never donate clothes to thrift stores again, but consider alternate options when you are donating large amounts of clothes.

For example, there are textile recycling companies that will take your old clothes and recycle them into a new material that can have a completely second life. Some of these companies include Freecycle, Retold Recycling, and Helpsy.

There are also “Buy Nothing” Facebook groups where you can trade your unwanted items with members of your local community.

Buying Sustainable Clothing

So let’s say you went a little overboard on donating your old clothes, but then you realize you actually donated too much of your closet. The next step you can take in your personal sustainable journey is purchasing from sustainable clothing companies rather than fast fashion brands.

Sustainable clothing brands are typically more expensive than your standard clothing brand, but the trade-off is ethically made and sourced high quality clothing. However, there are also sustainable clothing companies out there that are more affordable than others.

Eco-Consciousness in Your Business

Being eco-friendly with your business considers a little more thought than sustainability in your personal life. If you are labeling yourself as a sustainable business, you want to try your best to actually follow through with eco-friendly practices. In today’s eco-conscious world, businesses are increasingly expected to not only deliver quality products but also do so in a manner that minimizes environmental impact. 

Consumers who are serious about their sustainability will look into your practices, and many would be disappointed to find out if you are not practicing sustainable practices especially if you are labeled as one.

Researching Suppliers and Source Materials

One first step towards becoming an environmentally-friendly business is taking note of where your business’s supplies come from and how they are made. 

As a sustainable business, you should prioritize working with environmentally responsible suppliers and use local source materials to reduce your carbon footprint. This includes packaging, which is often overlooked as a significant contributor to waste. Changing how you package your products presents a prime opportunity for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. Collaborate with suppliers, manufacturers, and packaging experts to explore innovative solutions for eco-friendly packaging. Stay updated on emerging technologies and materials that offer improved sustainability without compromising functionality or aesthetics.

Speaking of aesthetics, companies and graphic designers can and should collaborate to create more eco-friendly packaging designs. Here are some ideas on how to achieve this: 

• Material Selection: Choosing the right materials is crucial in designing sustainable packaging. Opt for biodegradable, recyclable, or compostable materials whenever possible. Materials such as recycled paper, cardboard, bioplastics, and compostable polymers can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of packaging. Knowing the materials that will be used during the printing process will also help the designer in planning out a design that will translate well on the final product. 
• Minimalism and Efficiency: Embrace minimalist designs that prioritize functionality and efficiency. Streamlining packaging not only reduces material usage but also lowers shipping costs and carbon emissions associated with transportation. Designers should focus on creating packaging that uses the least amount of material while still effectively protecting the product.
• Biodegradable Inks and Finishes: Traditional printing inks and finishes often contain harmful chemicals that can be detrimental to the environment. Switching to biodegradable or soy-based inks and eco-friendly finishes reduces the ecological impact of printing processes while maintaining high-quality results. While this may not be an option with every printing company, it is still worth asking and looking into. 
• Incorporating Reusability: Encourage reusability by designing packaging that can serve a secondary purpose or be easily repurposed by consumers. Whether it’s a sturdy cardboard box that can be transformed into storage or a glass jar that can be reused for storage or as a decorative item, incorporating reusability adds value to the packaging and reduces waste.
• Emphasizing Education: Educate consumers about the eco-friendly aspects of your packaging design. Clearly communicate the materials used, recycling instructions, and any eco-friendly certifications or labels. Empowering consumers with information helps them make more informed and sustainable choices.

Reduce Water and Energy Use

Even small businesses can use an overabundance of water and energy. Here are some ways you can conserve your water and energy use as a business in your brick-and-mortar location:

• Fix any water leaks you encounter in your business
• Install water-efficient taps
• Switch off your business’ heating/cooling after hours
• Replace incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs
• Regularly clean and replace air filters

Final Thoughts

The sustainability movement is becoming a big deal to many consumers and businesses, and there are a number of ways to integrate eco-friendly practices in your own life, both in and out of the office. It can be overwhelming knowing where to begin, but start small with one change at a time. Even the smallest changes can make an impact if we are all making an effort. 

Have you outgrown your brand or need to take it to a new level? Schedule a strategy call to see how I may be able to support you through the process. 

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