Logo options for a Lawyer

This guy is a Patriot and has been in the Military, so he wanted a brand that would represent his love for the USA. Which one do you think he'll go with? Stay tuned to find out and to see his letterhead package.

Heart & Soul Salsa

After some noodling and refining, we settled on this look for my good buddy Tracy Owen. I have a hunch this little business is going to take off! I've been an active part of start-ups over the years and you just get a feeling about some of them. The last big success story was about an engineer close to retirement at Allegheny Wah Chang. He was an avid bird hunter and when the feds announced that no more lead shot would be used to hunt waterfowl, his mind went to work. Short story... he developed an alloy shot that was heavier than lead and met the environmental standards. Thus, HeviShot. End of story. This company went into orbit amongst avid hunters world-wide and is winning competitions and setting records.

I anticipate the day Heart & Soul Salsa is doing it too! Below are a standard label, sell sheet and business card. Get your orders in early!

A logo for my All Time Favorite Salsa!

My good friend Tracy Owen makes by far the best salsa I've ever tasted. He's getting official this year by branding his creation. So we'll start with labels and business cards and go who knows where after this season.

A fun project!

I was asked to work up some logo ideas for new website concept that a friend of mine is creating and I really had fun with this one! Can't tell you what it's for yet, but check back later and I'll reveal it after it goes live.

Harrison Prospectus

I put together an 8 page prospectus for a client yesterday. It's filled with important and impressive numbers to attract investors. This is just the cover and one interior spread...

First time ever!

I was referred to a potential new client by a very good and fairly new client of mine. So I worked up 3 rough ideas to get the ball rolling. I usually work with a new client more at the beginning, to find out what their interests are, what styles they prefer, color schemes, etc. This way I'm not spinning my wheels at the upstart. But this one didn't give me much to go on so I went ahead and gave them something to respond to based on the name and general "fresh produce" ideas rolling around in my head...

 

So, after striking out on these.... go figure... they asked for something "funner" and more whimsical, maybe including a lasso and some funner type, so I worked up these two...

To no avail...  none of these did anything for them. I have to say there really is a first time for everything and this is it for me. In 20+ years of designing, this is the first time I've ever struck out on a project. It's usually just the exact opposite... they can't decide which one they like better! So, I'm chalking this one up as a "first timer" and moving on!

New website coming! & other musings about growth

I'm finally in the process of launching a new site for SharptonCreative! Time to move away from this blog platform and take my own image to the next level. I recommend most small companies start simple and inexpensive, and as they grow their income, they can grow their own image. There's nothing wrong with a grass roots approach to growing a business. Start cheap with a social media package including a blog site, facebook, twitter, google+, and even youtube and pinterest, if those interest you. This is a very cost effective way to get the word out about you and your new business. As you become more successful, we can talk about a more formal website and a wide variety of print materials, a direct mail campaign, a presentation package including a variety of print materials, etc.

A Marketing Projection should be in your Business Plan too.  Possibly even a Feasibility Study, if you're promoting a product. These things can start out small and simplistic but grow with your success. I thrive on working with start ups and being a part of the growth of their business!