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Uncertainty
May 18, 2012
Kathleen

When I was a young designer working at a small ad agency, fresh out of art school and full of anxiety, Tara (my sister and creative director) told me “If you don’t feel like you want to throw up you’re not doing it right.” It was her way of telling me that it’s okay to be scared, that feeling of crippling anxiety can actually be good for you - if it doesn’t break you. So that’s what Jonathan Fields’ book Uncertainty: Turning Fear & Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance is all about. I know I’m a little late to the game on reading this book but it’s a must-read for any creative entrepreneur who wants to feel good about feeling scared out of their wits about pursuing their passion as a living. Because launching your own creative business is a lot like graduating from art school - where your future most certainly looks uncertain. read more >

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Get It On Paper: A Roadmap For Creatives
May 11, 2012
Kathleen

One of the things we do here at Braid is help aspiring creative entrepreneurs who are not quite ready for a brand design pinpoint their purpose, define their dream... and get it on paper. You think it would be easy enough to be on the same page with yourself but if there is one thing we’ve learned about working with artistpreneurs is that they are not at a lack for vision. In fact, they typically have so much vision and talent they don’t know where to start and what it looks like to see a project to fruition. read more >

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Creating A Brand Video
May 03, 2012
Tara

The style of this Monscierge video (white, clean & business-time) is not for everyone. Just like our Braid video about our Austin adventure complete with a cow giving birth is not for everyone. Yet, ironically our Monscierge clients (these really creative smart guys who are going to take over the world some day) love that dang “cow video.” But regardless if cowboy boots or business suits set the tone for the day, we love creating brand videos. Short of actual one-on-one exposure to your product or experience they are the most effective way to get across the essence of your brand. read more >

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The Inseparability of Person And Business
April 24, 2012
Tara

A lot of you guys already know that Kathleen blogs over here at Jeremy & Kathleen. In fact a lot of you who read Braid, found your way over here from J&K.  It’s funny, because when Kathleen and I decided to start our own small business, we though “okay, how do we separate Kathleen’s brand from Braid?” You know, cause Braid is serious-business-right? Oh, silly, silly girls.  That’s the wise me talking to the silly me seven months later.  Because the obvious answer is. You don’t. read more >

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Speaking To The Students
April 13, 2012
Kathleen

Along with speaking to our people about branding and finding your niche I’ve also been making my way around the local universities. A pattern I’m noticing across the board with senior design students is that they’re all freaking out about transitioning into the real world. Their professors are sharing horror stories about botched print jobs coming out of their paychecks, 80-hour work weeks and painful due-paying to be had. I’ve got a lot of compassion for these kids - because it wasn’t that long ago (was it really 8 years ago?!) that I was in the same boat. read more >

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Speaking To The Locals
April 05, 2012
Tara

You know how in eighties teen movies it’s all about class division? It’s always which side of the tracks you’re from – if you wear diamond earrings or just one earring, if you wear tennis whites or a pizza place apron.  In these movies the locals are always called townies or goonies (maybe that was just in Goonies), and as a kid it’s always clear who you should be rooting for. So of course our generation would grow up and start a new kind of local revolution, the small independent local business. And let’s just say, Kathleen and I have picked our side of the tracks.  read more >