One of my very favorite parts about my relaunch has been finally being able to see myself in my business. There's no more website or brand shame. I'm really where I want it all to be, and I love it.

Here are just a few of the ways that I have put my own personality into my brand, ultimately creating a business brand that really is me.

1. If my choices were badass or cute, I'd choose badass.
When my design was reevaluated, it became clear to me that my own design was being dictated by what I thought my clients wanted to see. It was a bit cutesy and colorful, and ultimately did not reflect me at all.

At one point I remember saying something to the effect of "If my choices were baddass or cute, I'd choose badass." And so, we made sure my design aesthetic reflected that. My own wardrobe and interior design is a bit utilitarian. I like simple design with pops of cool. My brand design now reflects my personal style. Perfectly.

A little bit badass.

2. Working with only my dream clients.
Before my relaunch I would pretty much accept a job from any type of client. Speakers, accountants: pretty much anyone who asked. My brand as a web designer was broad, and I felt a bit guilty turning down anyone, because I had been so unclear with who I wanted to work with.

Now it's crystal clear that I work with creative entrepreneurs. It's a path I've chosen for myself for many reasons, but really, I just love working with people in a similar field as myself. Those connections are my favorite to make. I literally do it for a living.

3. Asserting myself in design decisions.
If you know me in "real life," you know that I'm a pretty honest person. Almost painfully honest. Making this a part of my brand has meant that I'm much more assertive with design decisions than I once was.

My expertise is in creating simple, brand-true, and very functional eCommerce websites for creatives. It's not going to be easy to have me on board for removing search forms or using Papyrus as body typeface. I'll use my expertise to veto design decisions that could compromise the dignity of a brand or functionality of a design.

All designs that I create will be something that both myself and my client can be proud of.

4. Using the oxford commas.
This is a really small one, but one that I've secretly had fun applying to my brand. I'm pretty OCD about using the oxford comma, and have been for years. Applying it throughout my site has been fun.

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