Tag Archive for: Website Design

What Can Tennis Teach Business Owners ?

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What Can Tennis Teach Business Owners ?

I’ve been playing tennis since the 4th grade. Over the years, I’ve discovered that performing well on the court is a lot like succeeding as a business owner. While natural talent and superior skills are really important, the things that are absolutely essential are strategy, resilience, and the will to win.

In honor of National Tennis Month, I thought I’d share how some of the lessons I’ve learned playing tennis could be game-changing for your business.

Practice, Practice, Practice.

Many great athletes attribute their success to continuous practice. The summer before I entered college, I went out to practice my serve every night after working at my part-time job. I worked hard to achieve a killer serve, and I apply that same dedication to working on client projects. Just as athletes need to practice, business owners need to work constantly to understand their industry, build their operations and management skills, and be open to learning from others. You may have a brilliant business idea or be a born leader, but this commitment to continuous improvement is what will set you apart from the competition.

Grace Under Pressure.

Tennis is equal parts mental and physical. My game improved tremendously as I learned to stay calm and focused under pressure, and not let setbacks stress me out. At work, I’m able to handle tight deadlines and not let unexpected problems or last-minute changes get to me. Learning to manage stress and maintain a positive mindset when things go sideways is a valuable skill in the business world. It allows you to see your way through problems and find solutions that are a win-win for your clients and your team.

Planning, Problem-Solving + Perseverance

Tennis is a game of strategy and problem-solving. Players analyze their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and make real-time decisions to adapt their game plan and throw off their opponents. Similarly, strategic thinking and effective decision-making are pivotal for business owners who want to thrive in today’s super-competitive environment. Keep in mind that, on or off the court, a strategy doesn’t always have an immediate impact. Sometimes its effectiveness is only revealed over time, which is why never giving up or giving in often wins the day.

Losing and Learning

I’ve always been inspired by professional athletes who can turn the page on a bad performance, and see each new day as an opportunity to improve. It’s not always easy, but after a tough outing on the tennis court I analyze what went wrong and what I can do better the next time. Small business owners can do the same thing. Rather than dwelling on mistakes or losses, look at what worked and what didn’t. Then use the information to help you and your team shift gears. The key is to let go of negative feelings and seize the next opportunity to become a stronger and smarter leader.

Effective Communication.

Sports require effective communication – with teammates, coaches, referees, even fans. When I play doubles, communicating well with my partner can be the difference between winning and losing. In business, clear and concise communication is equally crucial. Whether you are leading a team or helping a client understand a sticky situation, put in the effort to make sure you are speaking the same language. And on the same page.

Playing Fair.

Nothing is more frustrating than an opponent who is clearly cheating. One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone keeps calling the ball out when it is obviously in. And I do my best to avoid being on the court with them. The same is true in business. For me, playing dirty is never justified. And I don’t believe in winning at all costs. I make it a point to be fully transparent with clients about everything – from expressing ideas and negotiating fees to following up to keep projects moving.

When it comes to leveling up your branding, we don’t just talk a good game. You can count on MIFA Media to use every tool in our (tennis) bag to help your brand stand out – and send your competition packing.

Lessons from My First Year as a Mompreneur

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5 Lessons I Learned in My First Year as a Mompreneur

This month, my son celebrates his first birthday. It’s miraculous how much he has changed, and amazing how quicky the time has passed – even though I’ve tried to slow down and enjoy every little moment (even the tough ones.)

Being more present is just one of the lessons I’ve learned since adding “mom” to my resume. Here are a few more:

1. The struggle to find balance is real.

One of the greatest challenges of running a business while being a mom is trying to find the right balance for yourself, your kids, your spouse – and your clients. I doubt there is a single working mother who hasn’t felt torn between being there for her family and being the best possible co-worker, boss or service provider. Personally, I’ve felt the pressure to prove I can do it all – to say yes to every project because I don’t want people to think I’m prioritizing my child’s needs over theirs.

I’m super lucky to have a spouse who is all in on sharing responsibilities. But even with help from my husband and our families, I quickly realized that being a new mom was a lot like being an entrepreneur. Each “job” comes with a unique set of challenges and rewards. And keeping both worlds running like clockwork takes determination, time management, and a solid support system.

2. The support system that works for you may not work for anyone else.

One of the most difficult choices for every working mom is finding reliable childcare that allows them to fully focus on their work. I took six weeks off after my son was born, and we were beyond fortunate that my husband had 20 weeks of paternity leave – which meant I didn’t have to stress about knowing my newborn was being well taken care of. (PSA: Companies need to be more generous with maternity/paternity leave. It’s better for everyone when both parents are caring for their baby.)

Given the high cost of day care, being able to rely on my husband and family has been a huge gift. But each of us has to figure out what works best for our situation. And not give a crap about what anyone else thinks.

3. “Flextime” takes on a whole new meaning.

Entrepreneurs are notorious for wearing many hats – and seriously, I wouldn’t have it any other way! Likewise, moms wear just as many hats — like caregiver, chef, nurse, and chauffeur. So, when it comes to keeping all of the balls in the air, flexibility is one of the greatest perks of mom entrepreneurship.

Being my own boss allows me to make my own schedule. Since my husband went back to work, I’ve been able to plan client meetings around naps and feedings. I may work more at night to get ahead of the day or over the weekend to meet a tight deadline. And having a home office eliminates the hassle (and time suck) of commuting. The catch? It can feel like the work never ends – and it’s tough to get a mental break. But I remind myself that being there for my son when he needs me most is why I do what I do.

4. Prioritize what matters and get help with the rest.

Being “on” 24/7 can take a toll. As the creative director of a branding agency, I’ve had to learn to make choices that support my ability to, well, be creative! When I take a break to feed my son, I zone out and give my brain a rest so I’m refreshed when I get back to my desk. And I hired a part-time assistant to help with some of the work. I’m such a perfectionist that letting go is incredibly hard. But maintaining my sanity means establishing priorities and asking for help – in the office and at home.

Working hard to be a great mom and business owner leaves little room for downtime. The upside is I’ve come to value my time and my talents more than ever. It’s been easier to say no to projects that aren’t a good fit – and to price my work more competitively.

5. Being a momprenuer is utterly exhausting – and deeply fulfilling.

Striking a balance between nurturing our families and nurturing our clients is the goal for every working mom. It’s also equally important to not lose sight of the things we love.

I started playing tennis in 4th grade. Since having a baby, tennis has been a welcome break and the exercise helps get my creative juices flowing. This spring, our group formed a team and we’ll be playing legit matches with other women in the area. I hope my mom will bring my son to watch – and maybe one day he’ll fall in love with it, too!

Pursuing our passions as moms and entrepreneurs feeds our souls and sets a positive example for our children. Yes, juggling all the things can be demanding on any given day. But for inspiration, we need look no further than the countless women business owners who are achieving success – and redefining motherhood in the process.

Advantages of Women-Owned Partnerships

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The Benefits of Working with Women-Owned Businesses

It’s National Women’s History Month. I don’t know about you, but I love following the stories about remarkable women and girls and what they have accomplished. And it’s a dream come true to be among those who are running successful businesses of their own – and doing work they are passionate about.

Woman-owned is a wonderful thing.

As the marketplace becomes more diverse, the number of women-owned businesses in the U.S. is growing. There are a number of certifications available to businesses that are primarily owned, controlled, operated, and managed by women. Acquiring any of these certifications requires a lengthy and intense vetting process. At MIFA Media, we decided to become a certified women-owned company in the State of New Jersey. Having gone through the process, I understand why being certified is valued so highly – by both businesses and those who hire them.

Partnering with a woman-owned business offers a boatload of benefits.

When you’re looking for new partnerships, there are plenty of reasons why it’s beneficial to hire a certified woman-owned business. For starters, you can be assured that you’re working with competent business owners who are committed to providing exceptional products and services.

Working with a certified women-owned business also encourages the kind of innovation and creativity that will give your company an advantage in a competitive marketplace. Studies have shown that diverse teams are more inventive and come up with better solutions to complex problems.

By working with a woman-owned business, you can tap into the unique perspectives and ideas of experienced women entrepreneurs. MIFA Media is among a surprisingly small number of women-owned creative agencies, and we’ve earned a reputation for our award-winning, out-of-the-box solutions for clients across a range of industries. We love getting to know our clients, and they love knowing we’re hands-on, nimble, and way more responsive than bigger, fancier firms.

Diversification is good for (your) business.

Partnering with a certified women-owned business shows your company’s willingness to work with diverse markets – and to put your beliefs into practice. It can lead to bigger opportunities with other companies that support business diversity, allow you to connect with new, socially-conscious consumers (including female consumers), and differentiate your business in the community.

Women-owned businesses often prioritize creating diverse and inclusive workplaces, which often helps improve employee morale and productivity for your business as well as theirs. Looking to attract high-quality talent? Showing that you work with diverse or minority-owned businesses is critical. A majority of job seekers today consider diversity when evaluating companies and job offers.

There are tax incentives for working with minority-owned businesses.

The government has passed laws that encourage companies to work with minority-owned businesses. There are federal and state programs that offer corporate tax reductions for hiring diverse suppliers, including women-owned businesses. This can help reduce overall taxable income and tax liabilities for projects funded with federal or state grants or loans when the supplier is women-owned. And supporting supplier diversity makes your business more attractive to corporations that are seeking second-tier sourcing suppliers that work with women-owned businesses.

From tax incentives to greater productivity to fresh thinking, working with women-owned businesses benefits your company, your customers, and your community. MIFA Media is proud to partner with kick-ass clients who want to create positive and meaningful change – in both the workplace and in their branding!

Branding Mastery: Stand Out, Build Connections

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Why is Branding Such a Big Deal?

Simply put, your brand is what separates you from your competition – and is arguably the most powerful tool your business has for developing the trust and loyalty of your clients or customers.

Your brand absolutely must set your business apart.

Between the challenging economy and the tsunami of information people are bombarded with, it’s never been more important – or more difficult – to stand out from the competition. But companies that successfully express their values, culture, and personality through their branding are able to not only capture the attention of potential clients or customers – they build genuine connections that last.

Clients often think their brand is their logo – but it is so much more than just your visual identity. It’s your voice and your message. It’s why you exist and how you can help your clients or customers. Ultimately, your brand defines what people think, and how they feel, about your business.

At MIFA Media, our approach to branding is unique for each client.

But our process is consistently strategic. Whether you are developing your brand from scratch or considering a refresh of your current branding, we always do a deep dive into your market, your competitors, and your products/services.

We ask tons of questions so we can understand your purpose, passions, and people. And we encourage you to answer them from your customers’ point of view. This will give you greater insight into why your business matters, and the chance to ask yourself whether your existing branding – and your customers’ perceptions – are aligned with your mission and goals.

Then we create unique and compelling brand assets that convey who you are and what you deliver to your customers. This can include everything from generating ideas for your business name and tagline to designing your logo and crafting your messaging.

Building a strong brand isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition.

Branding is a complex and intensive process, and doing everything at once can be super-costly. But that’s no reason to try to cut corners. We will work with you to build your brand one step at a time. You can start with a great logo, then slowly chip away at other pieces of the project. That way you can afford to work with experienced professionals – and avoid the added expense of redoing stuff that is poor quality or lacks a cohesive look and feel.

Helping a high-end hair salon shine in a crowded marketplace.

When the owners of Iridescent Suite launched their new salon, they needed to attract high-quality clients. They also knew their branding had to be unique and impactful if they were going to make a splash in a jam-packed market sector.

Our in-depth research revealed that the owners are obsessed with all things related to hair. They also care deeply about their clients, and bend over backwards to make them feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful. Their branding had to convey the luxurious and decidedly Zen experience they were creating in the salon – and resonate with clients who would value their upscale services and products.

We put together an easy-to-execute plan for their brand that they can roll out in stages:

  • Design an eye-catching logo and use it everywhere. Our bold design embodies the salon’s “high-end hippie” vibe. We added a shimmery glow to a playful shadow font, stacked it on a classic sans serif, and secured it all with a stylized hair pin. Applying the logo to everything from signage to stylist smocks heightens the brand impact, giving it a professional, pulled-together look.
  • Build a consistent social presence to show they mean business. The salon’s promotion strategy heavily targets social media for two reasons: 1) it connects with their target demographic and 2) it offers numerous opportunities to showcase their team’s expertise and artistry.
  • Give SEO a boost. Reminding happy clients to leave Google reviews will increase the salon’s ability to be “found” in online searches.
  • Create a website with a “wow factor.” As the business grows, the owners will invest in a website that is professionally designed, written, and built to reflect their passion for all things hair – and their commitment to making customer comfort and satisfaction a priority.

Cutting through the clutter and connecting with your ideal customer is no small task. But when you partner with MIFA Media to create a meaningful and memorable combination of visuals and messaging – well, this is exactly what effective branding can do for you.

3 Secrets to Creating a Marketing Plan That Works

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Have you started your marketing plan for 2024?

No pressure – but now is the time to be analyzing, strategizing and budgeting for marketing
your business in the New Year. Of course, recent experience has proven that none of us can
predict what might happen over the next 12 months (or 12 hours!) But here are three concrete
steps to creating a marketing plan that will support the goals you set now – and any pivots you
make as the year unfolds.

1. Resist the Urge to Recycle (Last Year’s Plan)

With so much on your year-end plate, it’s tempting to simply look back at what worked in 2023
and plan to do more of it in 2024. But returning to the tried and true is not exactly a “strategy.”
If your company is evolving, your marketing objectives need to support your evolving vision.
Assessing last year’s marketing successes – as well as evaluating what did not work so well – is
an essential first step in developing your new plan. But don’t stop there. Identify what you want
your business and your team to achieve in the year ahead, then consider how to tweak or
revamp your marketing efforts to support these objectives.

2. Map Out the Right Mix

How do you determine what to keep, what to toss and what to add to your marketing mix?
Start by reviewing all of the internal data/metrics you can gather from the past 12 months.
Check in with your customers or clients. What are their current pain points or concerns? Which
of your company’s products or services could address these challenges? And what messaging
and call-to-actions need to be developed?

It’s also important to consider projected trends for your industry or market niche, and be super-
clear about where your target demographic is getting their information. Is it via websites?
Google? Specific social media sites? What they prefer now may be significantly different than it
was a year ago – and it may shift again six months from now.

Many businesses map out their plans by marketing channel, but keep in mind that your
customers don’t necessarily experience your marketing that way. Each interaction they have
with your brand is part of their total user experience. It’s important to spend time evaluating
how your customers are moving through their buyer journey – and designing your marketing
campaign so it resonates with them each step of the way.

3. Build a Realistic Budget

No matter how small or large your business is, your budget needs to allocate specific dollars to
marketing. But exactly how much should you spend on promoting your business?
Industry experts typically suggest calculating your marketing budget based on a percent of sales
or revenue. (Just Google “small business marketing budget” and you’ll see this can range anywhere from 2% to 12%.) But simply using a random percentage doesn’t take into account
your unique challenges and goals.

So, in addition to looking at your current and projected sales, you need to consider the other
key pillars of your marketing plan:

  • Your target audience
  • How to reach them
  • Where to focus your time, energy, and dollars in light of the financial and human
    resources that are available.

Once you have all of these components in place – and factor in the reward vs. the risk – then
you can figure out the budget.

When it comes to marketing, MIFA Media is all in on being innovative. But we also know that
customers want to engage with brands that are consistently authentic. If you want content that
connects with your audience and stands out from the crowd, give us a shout!

How to fix your website for your small business

6 Signs Your Site is a Snoozefest (and how to fix it!)

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6 Signs Your Site is a Snoozefest (and how to fix it!)

There are an endless number of websites out there. As a small business owner, you need to focus on how to make your website stand out. Here are some pitfalls to avoid in order to ensure your site is exciting enough to entice new business.

  1. You don’t have a blog

    “I’m not a writer.” “I’m more of a visual artist.” “I wouldn’t even know where to start.” Is this the sort of reaction you have to the word “blog”? Do you live in fear of the blank page and the blinking cursor? You’re not alone. Blogging isn’t easy, but it’s vitally important to any small business. It gives potential clients a sense of who you are and whether you’d be a good fit for what they need. The best way to start…is to start. Write what you know! It doesn’t need to be perfect.

  2. You don’t have enough pages. You have too many pages.

    You don’t want your website to become a chore. But you also don’t want it to be instantly forgettable. So, how do you decide the appropriate length for your website? Research! Find some websites that you enjoy. Find some websites that you hate. Use that as a guide to determine appropriate length.

  3. Poorly designed

    Terribly designed sites. We’ve all encountered them – buggy, crash-prone, not secure. A business’ website often serves as a first impression for potential clients. You wouldn’t show up to a face to face meeting looking disheveled, right? Your website should function well and be mobile friendly.  Be proud of your website. Be proud of yourself. Be proud of your work.

  4. Your website isn’t representative of who you are

    One size does not fit all when it comes to websites. After browsing your site, potential clients should have some sense of who you are. Include photos of yourself! Do you have a mission statement? You should! You’re not a generic business, don’t have a generic website.

  5. Your website isn’t about your customers/clients

    Although it’s important that clients understand who you are, you don’t want to overdo it. Think of your website as a conversation between you and a potential client. There needs to be balance. Customers should understand how working with you will improve their lives and business.

  6. Too much going on…or not enough

    You don’t want your website to be too busy, but you also don’t want it to look a digital desert wasteland. Aim for clean and concise. Make it appealing to the eye. Don’t bombard potential customers with excessive fonts, an overabundance of photos, or large blocks of text. Find the sweet spot for your website design and lean into it.

And if all of this seems a bit overwhelming, MIFA Media is always here to help! We’ve helped countless small businesses overcome these pitfalls and improve their online presence.

MIFA Media

MIFA Media’s Year End Tips For Small Businesses

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MIFA Media’s Year End Tips For Small Businesses

Believe it or not, we’re just about at the end of the year. And you need to make sure your brand design is looking fine for Auld Lang Syne.

Yikes – that was groan-worthy! I regret nothing.

Anyway, now’s the time to get your brand in order, get some holiday sales going, and ring in the New Year with some new business. Here are some tips on how to make that happen.

  1. Create a design and marketing budget and start setting aside money now.

    Like right now. Design and marketing is important for small businesses to grow, but it can also get expensive fast. If you start saving now (and keep saving) you’ll set yourself up for the future. Channel your inner Scrooge McDuck.

  2. Keep an eye on your competition.

    You should be doing this already, but it’s especially important as the year draws to a close. What trends seem popular? Should you lean into them? Forge your own path? You need to know what’s happening in order to decide.

  3. Where are you?!

    An online presence is important, but it’s useless if people can’t find it. Be sure to include a link in your IG Bio so potential clients can connect with you. Alternatively, you can create your own for your personally hosted website. It’s a great way to track who’s visiting your site. Not in a creepy way. Don’t make it weird.

  4. Plan for promotions now so you’re ready to go in the New Year.

    Be prepared! Timing is everything. Obtaining new business might come down to just getting there first.

  5. Where are you?! Part 2:

    Make sure you have your information ready to go for prospective clients. Physical business cards are fantastic, but Digital Business Cards are also super handy. Not only does it simplify things by letting you text or email your business card, it also decreases the chance of the client misplacing your information.

And that’s all I’ve got! You don’t even have to do all of these. Even if you only manage to do a couple, you’ll be ahead of the game.