So, since I wrote a couple of days ago, there has been progress! The website is almost ready, just a snag list and some more content to upload before we launch next week. I’m pretty excited to launch and, yes, you’ll be able to book in for product descriptions and photo shoots from Monday (all being well)!

But today, I wanted to share my new branding for Copper Boom Studio.

First, here’s a reminder of some of the pins from my brand Pinterest board:

You can see the full board here. It’s the actual references I gave to Evan while she was designing the logo and the website.

I also gave Evan some direction on brand values (one of my favourite things to work on with clients), which included timeless, slick and dependable. These things are really important to Copper Boom, to the work we create and the services we offer, so I want them to come out in the branding, website and social media.

And it turned into this:

Of course, we have a couple more variations, including white text on the blue background, as well as a couple of other shapes to use. Evan has created an awesome brand sheet that I love, and I’m over the moon with the colours and fonts we’ll be using.

I’ll be sharing some more sneak peeks from the studio this week over on the Copper Boom Instagram and Facebook pages, which you can now follow. Plus, the website launches on Monday, and you can sign up now to be the first to know!

What do you think of the new branding? What do you think of this Big New Idea? Do you like it? I’d love to hear!

Jx

Today is a big day for the Big New Idea. I’ll be getting online with Evan later to work through the website and get it closer to launch next week. (Sign up to be the first to know when it does!)

I’m excited. I’ve been working with Squarespace for the first time (my current website is run on WordPress) and going through the frustration-elation pendulum of learning something new. I think I’ve just about cracked it.

In general, putting myself in creative hibernation has been paying off. I’ve been working like a busy bee on writing for the website, finding my team, running my first trial shoot. I’ve also started working on a series of lessons to help with Christmas preparation, which I’m SERIOUSLY EXCITED about. This morning, most of my to-do list items start with “write”. There will be a lot of words today. And a lot of music.

Because this is what I know right now: I’ve already invested a lot. Time, money, effort, resources, hope. And yes, I’m scared that it won’t pay off. But that fear only gets in the way of doing the good work that allows the whole thing to do well.

When I’m worried about making money, I get spooked and I don’t write well. Or make good decisions.

Fear is like kryptonite.

So this morning, as I make my list and settle in, I’m surrounding myself with symbols of hope and trust. Little messages to myself, a candle, a wooden star from my retreat that says “share”.

In order to hustle, I need to trust. This is the trust and hustle phase.

Wish me luck

Jx

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Hi friends. It’s going to be short and sweet today! Because, you know, creative hibernation.

My head is full of website work, writing, planning and I’m about to go on holiday for a little break. (I know, great timing… But that’s the thing about balancing my business and personal timetables. It’s not always super convenient.)

Here’s the headline news: my new content studio has a name!

Copper Boom Studio

Why Copper Boom? The origins of the phrase “copper boom” lie in my most favourite TV show ever: Gilmore Girls. It is not only hilarious, brilliant, and beautiful, it’s also a great show to watch for entrepreneurs – so much of the storyline centres on Lorelai starting up her own inn with her best friend. Anyway, there’s a scene in which Rory is talking about how she has too much stuff, especially make-up: “It used to be a dab off copper tone, a touch of mascara and zip bam boom, out the door.” Lorelai only picks up “copper” and “boom” from where she is upstairs, and “copper boom” becomes their phrase for “trying to speed things up”.

Right?

So when it was time to find a name, I couldn’t shake this one. And copper is also awesome, and boom is a fun word to say.

And while I’m working away on the website, you can hop over to the landing page and sign up to be the first to know when we’re live!

Other things I’ve been working on:

• Our first photo shoot. It happened! We had a pretty good day, with some really positive results. I’ve been sharing photos with the clients who offered us their products for the trial shoot, and the feedback has been positive and really helpful. Now that we’ve had the first real shoot, I can start to see what we need to work on from here. There are processes, documents, forms and much more to put in place. Exciting!
• Branding. We have a logo and a style guide. Woohoo! And once I’m back from my week off, I’ll be working with Evan to get the website looking awesome and on-brand.
• Setting up the team. There’s a lot to think about: freelance or payroll, how much to commit to in terms of working hours per week, what the different roles will be responsible for and on and on. Progress is being made, and I’m excited about the people who are involved as my launch team.

Right. I’ll leave it at that for today.

Don’t forget, if you want to get email notifications when the studio website is up and running, sign up here.

Until soon!

Jx