Comments on: Climbing to the Top of Your Small-Business Tree

By: Tzaddi

Tzaddi — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:34:13 +0000

@Charlie - I need to get on my redesign too! I've often compared websites to plants, thinking of them as living things that thrive better with nurturing and careful pruning. It's great to extend this metaphor to the whole business. Thanks Wendy! Tzaddi’s last blog post..Kenaxis Creative

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:20:33 +0000

This is a brilliant metaphor – I’m loving the way you’re fleshing this concept out.

It took me awhile to get my heard wrapped around how my design preferences are a part of my business. Only once I started designing more did I realize the subtle, but important, ways that my design tells a story about me: does the design tell the story I want it to?

On that note, I better get on that redesign.

By: Wendy Cholbi

Wendy Cholbi — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:38:24 +0000

@Mike: Well said. Every tiny step into alignment helps with the “big picture.” And there’s *always* room for growth. Businesses, like people, must change and evolve to stay alive. One of the things that’s simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying about being a small-business owner is that I know the business will never be “complete” or “finished.”

@Ana Aquino: Thanks so much for chiming in! I love your idea for hand-drawing your business card; it’s a perfect example of a business branch that is directly connected to your roots (your personality is definitely a root). And also an illustration of the fact that “professional” and “personal” aren’t mutually exclusive. I’d love to see your card! Do you have a pic online anywhere?

By: Ana Aquino

Ana Aquino — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:15:48 +0000

Boy, is this ever true. I’m a Godin fan as well and I think the best modern businesses are the ones that exercise really smart branding. Google comes to mind, of course. Everything about them is drenched in their post-modern quirkiness and clutter-free aesthetic.

I’m not google, but I try to stay both professional and personal. I have an advanced 800 through Gotvmail, and used their voice studio for my greeting — but, on the other hand, I hand-drew my business cards (I have neat writing, don’t worry). I try to look at all of these “branches” as extending not only from my MO but my personality as well.

By: Mike Stankavich

Mike Stankavich — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:13:17 +0000

I like your point about being connected. In business as in life, every interaction with the world has an effect that is either aligned or opposed to your overall goals and direction. I know that I have some things that I need to make consistent with my business and my websites too. There’s room for growth.