The Branded for Success book was written in 2007 by my wife and 2 of our colleagues. It’s purpose was to highlight my wife’s graphic design talent that could be leveraged for a business to get a successful brand. It has allowed the three authors to gain authority as branding experts since they are published authors on the subject.
Understanding of branding has grown and evolved over the last 18 years. The principles in this book are still applicable but some updating is necessary. This chapter discusses about how much should you financially invest into creating your brand. Using our content transformation services, we will evaluate it to see that it is not outdated and irrelevant. This is our opportunity to update and supplement with necessary content that may have been missed when it was originally offered.
Since the book was written from a design perspective, this topic is important and should be determined after the foundational brand elements are completed first. New content will be added as necessary before we prepared for it’s new delivery. Since the repurposed content will be used for premium access content, I will provide summaries of the original text and the repurposed text. Also, when we are finished, the chapter divisions may not be the same, since this will not be repurposed into another printed book.
Summary of chapter 13 of the original text:
When considering how much to budget for branding, the real question is: how much is your reputation worth? While you can get a basic logo for a few hundred dollars, these options typically lack the research and strategic thinking needed to create a brand that resonates with your target market and drives growth.
Major brands invest millions in crafting their identity, but you don’t need to spend anywhere near that to build a powerful brand. At Branded For Success, we’ve developed affordable branding solutions for entrepreneurs and small business owners who understand the value of strong branding but may not have a large budget. We offer two packages: a home-study course that guides you through the branding process at your own pace, and an all-inclusive Weekend Retreat Package that delivers a complete, customized brand experience. The retreat includes one-on-one interviews, in-depth research, logo concepts, high-resolution photography with full rights, branding strategy sessions. Even your lodging and meals, all designed to give you a market-ready brand in a matter of weeks. With limited spots and deep personal involvement, this experience ensures your brand is authentic, targeted, and unforgettable.
Whether or not you choose to work with us, make branding a priority. A strong brand builds trust, credibility, and loyalty and that’s an investment worth making.
Summary of the corresponding repurposed text:
If you’re serious about building a successful business, branding isn’t just about a logo. It’s about shaping how people perceive, connect with, and trust your business. While cheap logo design options exist, they often lack the strategic depth and personal relevance that truly effective branding requires.
Big brands like Nike and Apple didn’t get where they are by accident; they invested in research, strategy, and storytelling. While small businesses don’t need to spend millions, they do need to view branding as a worthwhile investment. Many entrepreneurs struggle because they either attempt DIY branding without proper guidance or hire piecemeal services that don’t offer a complete solution.
That’s why Branded for Success was created, to offer two affordable, comprehensive branding paths: a self-paced DIY Brand Strategy Course for those who want control and a framework, and the VIP Brand Retreat, a high-touch, done-with-you experience that delivers a full brand package including custom visuals, messaging, photos, and more. Both options equip entrepreneurs with the tools, confidence, and assets they need to grow their businesses with impact.
Whether or not you work with Branded for Success, the key is to brand intentionally, with strategy, clarity, and ownership of all your assets. Strong branding builds trust, attracts better clients, and supports long-term growth.
Observations:
This particular topic is not as cut and dry as others we have worked through. It depends on the size and current influence of the person/company. It also depends on how much they are willing to risk financially to get a brand they want or need.
The mom and pop store down the street probably cannot invest in a multi-million dollar brand. A Fortune 500 company cannot afford not to invest that much. Most likely, the mom and pop store will do most of the legwork building the brand. They will outsourcing what they need. For example, they will likely hire someone to help with the visual identity part of the brand. The Fortune 500 company will hire a nationally respected firm to do all of the market and customer research. They will then include those results with the inside research and work they did. This is how large companies make sure they nail the brand.
Final Thoughts:
This chapter may just need a little brushing up since this topic will always exist in branding. Discussion and debate will not stop on this. There is not hard and fast answer for each particular situation. We will need to make sure that addressing it is comprehensive as to satisfy all who read it. That will not be an easy task.