1. Identity Crisis
(aka: Logo/Brand)
A mistake here could waste thousands of dollars on materials and result in countless lost opportunities. Entrepreneurs often fail to recognize how vitally important a well-thought, expertly designed logo is to their success. The symbol of your business should be unique, distinctive and easily recognized. Your logo should be the foundation for everything else you ever do. Your logo is “sacred” and certain rules must be strictly followed, (ie: never, ever distort it).

The Solution: When creating a powerful and effective identity, a variety of questions must be addressed. Never entrust anything this crucial to someone who does not ask these questions – it’s a clear signal you’re dealing with someone who is simply looking to take your money and move on. Choose a DESIGN team who has your overall vision and best interest at heart.

2. Mission: Lost in Space
Both your customers, and those who work for you, need to understand why you created this business and what it stands for. A mission statement serves as a compass for the multitude of challenges and choices every business owner faces – without one, you’re like a rudderless ship. Your mission statement should be short and to the point, with the emphasis being the benefit to the customer.

The Solution: Present your ideas to an objective wordsmith (aka: copywriter). They will be able to organize your ideas and values into a concise and elegant statement that will stimulate your audience and motivate your team.

3. Build It and They
Will Come
Properly creating awareness of your business is one of the key factors to success. Choosing what’s truly best can be overwhelming, choosing wrong can be very costly – wasting thousands of dollars on poorly designed and/or distributed pieces. Whether a new or established business, effective use of space and cost-effective delivery methods are more important than turning on the lights. 

The Solution: Consult an objective professional who will evaluate your needs and present a variety of opportunities – many of which are either free or extremely cost-effective. Someone who has your best interests in mind will ask a multitude of questions, and most importantly, help you maximize every opportunity with well-thought messages that emphasizes your brand and builds momentum.

4. Buy It & They’ll
See/Read/Hear It
Think big picture when creating your identity, signage, promotional methods, even space and environment. Falling prey to the most common, cheapest, quickest and/or easiest methods will often do far more harm than good. To effectively build momentum, every element and method must have your long-term success in mind.

The Solution: A well-thought business and marketing plan should be well-conceived, consistent and most of all, cohesive. The initial goal is to create awareness, and establish your presence. When done correctly, your efforts and expenses will taper off to a level that simply maintains consistency and top-of-mind awareness.

5. Expect Unexpected Expenses
Most businesses fail within the first year, primarily because they are unaware and unprepared for the realistic expenses of opening and operating a successful business. Aside from choosing the right location, few matters are more vital than creating the right identity and a budget to use it effectively. Momentum building requires knowing exactly what to expect, and planning for it. 

The Solution: Only an objective and experience expert – and again, one who has your best interest and success in mind – can help you prepare a realistic budget that will provide favorable returns on your initial and overall investment.

6. Atmospheric Pressure
You rarely get a second chance to make a good impression. Much like your identity, your atmosphere is part of your image and makes a powerful statement about your business. Color, layout, lighting, décor and displays are important to any business, especially restaurants and salons. Well-planned environments and work stations can also result in increased productivity and opportunities.

The Solution: Keep it simple. Build your brand. Think ahead. A well-thought space or storefront can be achieved with some creativity and ingenuity. Expensive signage and furnishing are often over-purchased.  Remember that your ultimate vision is something to work towards as your market and cash flow grows.

7. Juggling Hats
That Don’t Fit
You created your business because you’re an expert in its core purpose. Precious few know everything about all the other aspects that will make it thrive. Do-it-yourself can save money, even be fun for many home improvement projects, but when it comes to your business, it’s usually more costly in both money and time – and ultimately can lead to ruin. 

The Solution: It’s often not what you know, but who you know, and ultimately trust. Never take your business too personally. True allies will listen to your ideas, goals and objectives and then tell you exactly what you need to know, not what you’d like to hear. They will build on, and dramatically enhance your ideas.

8. Your Heart Belongs in Your Chest
Making decisions based on emotions or relationships, and especially fear, can all prevent you from seeing the big picture and ultimately be detrimental to your success. Your vision, ideals and goals should be the foundation on which your business is built. Most entrepreneurs are simply too invested – both financially and personally – to see things objectively.   

The Solution: Talk to people you can trust, people who have your overall best interest at heart. Be open and honest, and encourage them to speak freely. Listen to everything they have to say. Remember, true allies, and friends, will tell you what you need to hear and shouldn’t have to worry about hurting your feelings.

9. Technological Advantage
Today’s technology can be your  best friend, or worst enemy. Not only can it enhance your customer’s experience, but it can significantly reduce your overhead and workload. However, having it alone, is not enough. Creating marketing pieces, or doing your books without the expertise to do it correctly, can result in costly mistakes and lost opportunities.

The Solution: Consult experts who will provide the right equipment and software that fits your operation and needs. Get trained by qualified pros who will show you how to maximize this investment. Be realistic about your abilities. Skills can be taught to those with certain talents and aptitudes. Recognize what you can learn to do well, leave the rest up to the professionals who specialize in that area.

10. Beneficial to All Concerned
Participating in local events such as fundraisers or church activities can create much greater awareness of your business. More importantly, the people who generally attend these functions are usually the most influential people in your community – the ones who can really make a difference in your success.

The Solution: Pick a cause: Whether it’s finding a cure for breast cancer or helping disabled children – find one you really care about and offer your generous support. Join a Service Club: Visit the ones most prominent in your community, each has its own merits and areas of philanthropy – choose the one that best aligns with your own values and ideals, and get actively involved. (Caution: Do not pursue this if your heart isn’t in it, false intentions will be apparent and can do more far more harm than good).

11. Mistaking Motion
for Action
Edmund Burke said, “Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it.” Many businesses fall short of seeing their own big picture. Repeating costly mistakes by going through misguided motions of so many before them. Even if they’ve enjoyed some success, not seeing the forest through the trees is preventing them from their true potential.

The Solution: Taking action means doing it right! In most cases, it takes even less effort and in the long run, much less cost to take action and do it correctly. Think of initial costs as investments. Think beyond the project at hand. Think of your vision and why you created this business in the first place. Think and work smarter, not harder. Align yourself with experts who understand, and care about, your big picture and ultimately, your success.

Nebulous Creative Can
Help Solve All
These Challenges!
Nebulous Creative is a design firm offering an extensive network of business professionals. Everything and everyone you’ll ever need to successfully build your business – in one complete resource.

From identity to signage; printing to web; media buying to management consultants; technology and communication set-up and support; and everything in between…

Before you commit to anything or run another ad – and most importantly – pay for elaborate and costly signage… Let us review it at no cost and no obligation!