Lifestyle, Advice, For Founders Serena Gossack Lifestyle, Advice, For Founders Serena Gossack

How to Build a Strong Brand for Your Restaurant or Cafe

Building a strong brand for your restaurant or cafe is essential for standing out in the competitive hospitality industry. By working with a brand strategist and designer, you can clarify your brand’s purpose and values, understand your target audience, and create a unique story and concept that shapes the customer experience. Differentiating your business, building emotional connections with customers, and ensuring consistency across all platforms will help foster loyalty and set your brand apart. A cohesive, well-crafted brand will leave a lasting impression and drive long-term success.

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Lifestyle, Advice, For Founders Serena Gossack Lifestyle, Advice, For Founders Serena Gossack

A Founder’s Guide to Creating a Premium Brand Experience for Your Boutique Wellness, Fitness, Spa, or Sauna Studio.

Launching a boutique wellness, fitness, spa, or sauna studio is more than just opening a space—it’s about crafting a transformative experience. To create a premium brand, founders must focus on defining their brand’s essence, designing a serene and inviting space, and delivering highly personalized services. Signature treatments, seamless customer journeys, and digital storytelling further enhance the experience, making clients feel valued and connected. By maintaining consistency across all touchpoints—from ambiance to customer service—your studio can stand out as a sanctuary that keeps clients returning for wellness and rejuvenation.

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For Designers, Advice, For Founders kristihanson For Designers, Advice, For Founders kristihanson

Why These Are the Emails I Open Every Time: A Design-Lover’s Guide to the Best Email Lists

Some emails are just too beautiful to ignore. In this blog, we explore four standout brands—Set, Dae Hair, Oadevold, and Sezane—that create emails so engaging, they feel like digital works of art. With stunning photography, immersive layouts, and unexpected moments of delight, these brands go beyond selling to curate experiences that captivate their audience. Whether it’s Set’s minimalist luxury, Dae’s sun-kissed aesthetic, Oadevold’s heritage storytelling, or Sezane’s Parisian charm, these emails are a masterclass in scrollable, on-brand design. If you’re looking for email inspiration, these are the ones to watch.

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For Designers, Advice, For Founders Serena Gossack For Designers, Advice, For Founders Serena Gossack

How These Iconic Brands are Shaping the Future of Co-Branding

Brand collaborations are redefining industries by merging innovation, audiences, and cultural relevance. From Nike x Skims blending performance with inclusivity, to Ilia x Halfdays uniting clean beauty with outdoor adventure, these partnerships create fresh, purposeful products. Dae x Alpyn fuses desert and alpine botanicals for holistic beauty, while Elf x Tinder surprises with a playful, Gen Z-focused makeup line for confident first impressions. Each collaboration showcases the power of authenticity, innovation, and cross-industry appeal—proving that the future of branding lies in unexpected, strategic partnerships.

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Advice Serena Gossack Advice Serena Gossack

Why hire an Independent Studio vs. Traditional Agency?

When it comes to branding, design, and packaging, working with an independent studio offers a fresh, flexible, and more personalized approach compared to traditional agencies. Independent studios provide direct access to creative talent, faster turnaround times, and more budget-friendly solutions without sacrificing quality. With fewer bureaucratic layers, they foster agility, innovation, and a deeper commitment to each project. Whether you're looking for unique branding, custom packaging, or a standout visual identity, independent studios offer a hands-on, tailored experience that big agencies often can’t match.

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Advice, For Founders, For Designers, Lifestyle Serena Gossack Advice, For Founders, For Designers, Lifestyle Serena Gossack

Build with Purpose

In the new year, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush to tackle every idea at once, but taking time to slow down and build with intention is key to long-term success. This blog outlines the 5 P’s—Prioritize, Pace, Prepare, Play, and Plan—as strategies to help you focus on what truly matters. By evaluating what tasks need immediate attention, pacing your efforts to avoid burnout, preparing in advance for big moments, making time for play, and planning your next step thoughtfully, you’ll set yourself up for a year of growth and alignment without the overwhelm.

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For Designers, Lifestyle, Packaging, Advice Serena Gossack For Designers, Lifestyle, Packaging, Advice Serena Gossack

Why Building Your Website Before Defining Your Brand is a Risky Investment

Designing a website before establishing a clear brand strategy can lead to wasted time, money, and missed opportunities. Without branding, your website may lack direction, consistency, and fail to resonate with your target audience. Branding acts as a blueprint, guiding design choices and messaging to create a cohesive and memorable online presence. By investing in branding first, you ensure your website aligns with your vision, speaks to the right audience, and supports long-term business growth. Skip the shortcuts—build your brand foundation first to create a website that truly works for you.

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For Founders, Advice Serena Gossack For Founders, Advice Serena Gossack

Why Branding Matters for Your Airbnb Guests

Branding your Airbnb isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating an unforgettable guest experience that sets you apart. A strong brand presence builds excitement, elevates the perceived value of your stay, and transforms your property into more than just a place to sleep. Thoughtful branding fosters community, encourages social sharing, and makes it easier for guests to choose you over the competition. By crafting a unique, immersive, and memorable stay, you not only increase bookings but also turn first-time visitors into loyal guests. Ready to make your Airbnb stand out? It all starts with branding!

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For Designers, Advice Serena Gossack For Designers, Advice Serena Gossack

The Most Desired Trait My Branding Clients Seek…

The key to a powerful brand isn’t just great design—it’s feeling truly seen, heard, and understood. My clients don’t just get a brand that looks good; they gain absolute clarity on what makes them unique and how to communicate it effectively. Through my interview-style Brand Strategy Workshop & Positioning Framework, we uncover the core identity, messaging, and visuals that align with their vision—no more second-guessing or endless revisions. Whether you’re refining your strategy or building a brand from scratch, I offer customized solutions to meet you where you are. Ready to create a brand that stands the test of time? Let’s chat!

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