How To Create Your Brand: Everything You Need To Know

Building and running your own business is the ultimate dream.

- Keshini Dunusinghe

Perhaps you’re tired of taking orders from others or you just want to have an entity to call your own. No matter the reason, be sure not to rush into it, because if you go about it without a proper plan, chances are you won’t be able to sustain it.

Unless you’ve always known exactly what you’ve wanted to do from the get-go, one of the first things you have to focus on when starting your own business is figuring out what you want to do. Ask yourself “Which areas of expertise am I talented in?” and “What am I passionate about?” If you make a decision based on what product can add more zeros to your bank balance, there’s a big possibility that you will either fail or be unhappy. So take some time to think about where your passion lies. ‘Cause if it’s your brainchild, you’ll treat it as your own and will be more likely to succeed.

Hasib Omar, CEO of Moose Clothing Company is in complete agreement. “First decide what you like to do,” he said. “Before I started my business, I took more of a research-based approach. I figured out what the need was in the market and from there it was a matter of finding the expertise, putting it all together and coordinating with the correct people.”

Once you’re clear on what you want to do, next comes one of the most important aspects of starting a business; creating and positioning your brand.

What is a brand?

Think about it: You have a name, an image, a personality, a voice, a list of traits and quirks unique to you. You’re surrounded by family, friends, and acquaintances you may or may not get along with. You also have idols, admirers, individuals who speak of you behind your back, the ones who defend you no matter what and those who have no idea you even exist.