Announcing the Rebrand: O+CO Studio is now Let’s Go Studio
I’m so excited to announce that O+CO Studio is no more, and that my studio and company is now officially Let’s Go Studio!
I could not be more proud to be owner, founder and designer of Let’s Go Studio.
I’ve had the name “Let’s Go Studio” for a long time. In fact, the name came to me in the middle of the night on my honeymoon trip to Italy. I woke up and said “Oh my gosh...this would be the perfect studio name.” I was definitely trying to develop myself into a studio, but wasn’t sure how. I partner + work with so many others that it was hard to change to a studio name versus using my ownname, in case of confusion.
But, something interesting happened in August that changed everything.
I decided to launch a 5 day “Brand Boost” email series. I’ve been creating brands for years, and I’m constantly trying to grow my network and educate my clients and users. A free, 5 day resource series seemed like exactly the ticket to growing my newsletter (sign up below!) and also could help me form an ebook to educate others about how they could DIY their own brands.
Day 2 of brand boost was all about my “secret” formula to creating brands: combining your audience’s likes, your business goals, and your personality. While I was creating an infographic that explained this concept, and writing the email, and writing the “why” behind each one, it hit me like a bolt of lightning that my own brand didn’t fit.
As I created that graphic, I couldn’t help but think about how all of the lessons applied to my own brand:
Business Goals
Yes, O+CO met my business goals of selling web and brand design packages. I have a decent following in Atlanta (I was on the Squarespace scene early) and I’m known in many circles as “Olivia the Web Designer.” The +CO helped me educate clients that I sometimes bring on others to work with me, because who really does everything completely by themselves?
Audience’s Likes & Taste
Well....while the name wasn’t really anything to write home about, I consistently used colors and fonts that I felt were trendy. After all, my brand is about holding up a mirror so that others can see their brands within mine. This wasn’t really authentic to my own self, but worked in terms of compliments and recognition. My audience reacted well and was able to see themselves working with me.
Personality
Here’s where I froze when writing this guide. Was my brand really my own personality? No, no it wasn’t. Though it had my name, and I tried to cram bird motifs throughout, I was using a color palette I hated (but it was trendy!) and fonts that were popular but not me.
The thing is, there’s sometimes so much fear around being authentic.
Is my own personality + vision going to read well to others?
Do I even have good taste?
What if clients can’t see themselves working with me because of my brand?
What if it works well for one audience, but I isolate another?
These things are scary to think about as a brand designer. I need to show off my skillset, expertise, and design aesthetic with my own brand. It was so, so much easier to hide behind O+CO. I was able to show off my name, use a standard palette, and not really take any risks.
But that lack of authenticity was holding me back in a BIG way.
I hesitated before creating graphics, because the palette didn’t feel right.
I tried to cram in an origami bird though it didn’t really fit in with my brand (my new tangram bird feels much more uplifted and unique than my origami friend!)
I used Playfair Display (THE trendiest web font right now) on my website, but snuck in other fonts to play with when I wanted.
I was creating resources and courses that weren’t meshing with my values as a company.
And, I preach authenticity so much to my clients, that it was time for me to actually practice those lessons I gave to others. If clients don’t want to work with me because of who I am, and what my branding means to me, then they’re not my ideal clients. My ideal clients will see the energy my new brand and site exude and it will be clear that I’m someone that can tackle projects to get them organized and streamlined.
So, Let’s Go Studio is officially LIVE!
If you haven’t worked with me, check out my Next Level Design page to see how I can help you get your business online and stay empowered in your brand.
I thank you all for your continuing support, and I can’t wait to continue creating beautiful sites and brands and empowering my clients.
