It’s time for another Be My Guest post. If you haven’t come across these before on my blog then they are basically guest interviews with various people in business. My guests provide lots of inspiration, hints and tips for you. Today we have the fabulous Sophie Jewry – ‘The Queen of Brand’!
Since 2003, Sophie Jewry, AKA ‘The Queen of Brand’, has helped thousands of women in business create an awesome brand, be more productive and achieve a better work life balance. Sophie, an award-winning entrepreneur, has launched and run 3 successful businesses, all while being a full time mum. She was blessed with a daughter at just 19 so knows exactly how hard getting the work/life juggling act right can be. An advocate of continuous p
ersonal development, Sophie applies leading edge techniques to help others make a healthy income from a business they love while enjoying a better quality of life.
Describe yourself in 3 short, fab and fun sentences
Sophie asked what others for feedback – aren’t these lovely! (Much better than trying to think of 3 yourself – Like your style Sophie!)
- More organised than Kirsty Allsopp on her best day!
- Someone every woman aspires to be because of her successful business, brilliant network and support system and above all totally committed to helping people become the professionals they have always wanted to be!!
- Sophie is an inspirational sharer of knowledge and positivity, always upbeat, gives great constructive criticism and is totally reliable
What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?
It wasn’t so much a choice… or at least it didn’t feel like it at the time, it just felt like the best thing to do. I was just 20 when I moved back to live with my mum with a 9 month old baby girl; No A-levels, no work experience, no confidence, no job prospects. I was fortunate to have the support of my family which meant that I could start my business and grow it slowly and around my daughter as she grew. Running my own business just made sense. I’ve never looked back and I can’t imagine not being self employed!
Who has been your biggest inspiration in business?
Wow! I’d struggle to choose just one person really, as I find different aspects from lots of people give me the aspiration to achieve more. Some people I follow include: Marie Forleo, Richard Branson, James Dyson, Claire Mitchell, Louise Hay, Glen Bridges, Wayne Dyer, Brendon Burchard, Tony Robbins, Dan Bradbury, Nigel Botterill, Dan Kennedy, Jamie Smart, Zig Ziglar, Tom Shadyac, Manda Scott and many others. Not forgetting of course are all my clients, who amaze me on a daily basis at their determination to succeed and the passion for their businesses – they are all inspirational to me and through them I grow and develop too. I love to surround myself with motivational, inspirational and supportive people so I can continue to strive to be better and do better for myself and others.
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever been given?
KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid. There is of course lots of advice given but I have a tendency to over complicate things at times. When I feel overwhelm creeping in I have to step back, take a deep breath and just think ‘how can I make this simpler’. It forces me to re-assess and make it better. If it’s simple for your end user (i.e. your target market) then it’s got a far higher likelihood of being a success.
What three tips would you give when working on branding?
1. Market – Know who you want to work with and get into their head. Know who they are, what keeps them awake at night, what excites them and what they need.
2. Message – Know what your brand stands for. Speak directly to your Ideal Clients and be consistent with your message. Figure out what truly makes you different and why you are the best choice – and then shout it loud and proud.
3. Media – Now you know who you’re aiming at and what they need to hear, you know where you need to be. Have a strategy when it comes to getting your message out and use the media that will get you the results you want; whether that be on or offline or a mixture of the two, know your clients and you’ll know your media.
What are the three biggest mistakes that coaches/people make when thinking about their brand?
1. It’s all about the logo – this is just not the case. A bit like thinking of your hairstyle defines you as a person; a logo is just a small part of the bigger picture that is your brand.
2. I am in control of my brand – you are, but only to a certain level. You brand is ultimately owned by your customers and potential customers. There is a great quote that sums this up perfectly: “If Coca-Cola were to lose all of its production-related assets in a disaster, the company would survive. By contrast, if all consumers were to have a sudden lapse of memory and forget everything related to Coca-Cola, the company would go out of business.” Remember that the real power is in what the public think of your company – make sure it’s what you want it to be by creating a strong identity and delivering on your Brand Promise.
3. It’s going to be expensive! – This is also not true. Of course it can be expensive, much like decorating your house can be expensive, but in both cases there are cheaper options that involve savvy shopping and a bit of DIY. You brand grows and develops over time and you don’t have to go crazy with graphic design, however tempting it may be. Keep it simple and always keep your brand promise and brand story at the fore front of what you do. Branding doesn’t have to be expensive to be great.
What if I have no idea where to start with brand/branding, what do you suggest?
I would suggest that you read up on it – there is a multitude of websites with information on that will help you understand it more.
I’d obviously also suggest that you read my blogs here and here because you’ll find loads of articles that explain more about branding and what it really means, along with other business subjects too. If you would rather watch a video then check this out: It’s a Value’s Thing
How much time do I really need to spend on creating or developing your brand?
Much like anything in life, you can invest loads of time and money in it upfront or you can take your time and build it slowly. The key to creating a really strong brand it to have a clear idea of who you’re aiming at and how you’re helping them and also having a set of brand guidelines that keep your look and feel consistent (a big part of your branding!) EVERYTHING you do is part of the brand; emails you send, letters you write, events you attend, cards you hand out, word you write on social media and blogs… it is all part of the picture. Consider how you can bring it all together to be a cohesive message about what your business is really all about: your core values, your brand promise and your relationships with your customers.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Many people find the whole branding thing intimidating, you really don’t need to. It’s quite simple really; it’s like telling a story about your business and spreading that message out to the world. Or, think of it like getting ready for a party; you can just chuck on some clothes and run out the door or you can shower, do your hair, apply make-up, choose the outfit and matching shoes, find jewellery that suits and sets off your eyes… the whole works. Branding is very similar. On a basic level all you need is a logo and some simple guidelines of how you want your business to look and then you have the option of adding more glam as you go to make it come across more polished and ready to party.
If I wanted to connect and/or work with you where would I find you?
A good place to start is my website where you’ll find both my blog and a few other freebies to get you started and then a range of other options if you want to get stuck in with more detail and support.
You can also follow and connect with me on Facebook.
I’m sure you will agree that Sophie’s guest post has been a fascinating read. So tell us, what have you been doing on your branding? Leave a message in the comments section below. She is very kindly giving away a little freebie, 9 Tips for Branding. Download your copy here.
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