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2024 Books Now Open

Well, that was quite the year! I took 2023 off for maternity leave to get to know my new little one, Layla. As we approach her 1 year birthday in January, I am so excited to reopen the By the Bay Branding books for new and returning clients for 2024!

I’ve had a few inquiries on timelines so I’ve been taking those nap time breaks to do some updating for you here and there to get ready to start booking. Take a look at the portfolio section to see some new OG clients, check out our branding and design/writing pages to see what our services offer now and then let’s talk!

I’m currently only opening the books on branding and design/content to ease my way back in, but if you’re in dire need of a new website, website revamp or social media services, still reach out! We might be able to work something out.

I can feel the creative juices flowing already and can’t wait to make some branding dreams a reality! Inquire below to be one of the first in line for the new year ⬇️

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Your Edits are Valid

I am here for YOU.

It’s not my job to doodle a few simple drawings, slap your name on it and call it your logo.

It’s not my job to add some clipart to a document and call it graphic design for your info guide.

It’s not my job to take an existing website template, change the name and say it’s yours.

It IS my job to gather details from you before a job to understand your expectations and vision.

It IS my job to provide you with multiple logo versions (way more than I promise usually) to give you variety to start.

It IS my job to do revision after revision until we get the logo or design completely perfect for you.

It IS my job to tell you to please stop apologizing – you are allowed to have an edit! 5 edits! 20 edits! Because it is your brand, your identity and your passion.

You will never walk away from a job with me wishing you had asked for just one more revision, because I am determined to make sure you are 1000% satisfied with your brand at the end. And if you’re not? Let’s keep working. We’re going to get there. I promise.

❤️

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What ‘Bay’ is she ‘by’?

What ‘Bay’ is she ‘By’? Why is there a wave in her logo?

The Bay that I am physically by is the Bay of Quinte. I grew up here and moved back here, always drawn to the water. My parents now live by North Bay and I have clients there too! No matter the Bay, I can be by it for your brand.

The wave represents water which – aside from my husband and family – is the most important thing in my life. I feel so completely calm and at home by the water, it’s when I feel the most ‘me’.

So there’s a little insight into me and this biz, and a calming video of the ocean in NS and fluffy clouds to cheer up your feed 😍

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Be the Brand

I can’t believe I’m saying this – but I think all those times I watched Caddyshack with my Dad growing up might be paying off.

If you haven’t seen Caddyshack, there is a scene where Chevy Chase is giving Danny future advice through golf, saying he needs to “be the ball”. He puts on a blindfold and swings the golf club, saying “find your centre, hear nothing, feel nothing, be the ball”.

As corny as it sounds, I feel like as business owners, we need to step up and be the brand too. Find what your passionate about deep inside, don’t listen to the competition, don’t let the naysayers stop you and be the brand.

Be the brand you were meant to create, and live your brand. If you are an eco-friendly brand, be that brand! Live your life eco-consciously and be passionate about it.

Because when it’s your own business, it’s not just work, it’s not just a job – it’s YOU.

Be 👏the 👏brand 👏

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“I’m Not Sure What I Want my Logo to Look Like”

You’re definitely not alone if you’re wanting a logo for your business, but don’t know what you’d like or have any direction. That’s common! I’ve rounded up some key ideas I encourage people to consider to help the gears get turning.

💡Simple icons are a great way to show instead of explain what your business is and what you offer.

💡 Will your logo be blown up onto big signs? Small coffee cups? T-shirts? Consider the final placement of your logo to help determine how much detail you’re wanting to include.

💡 White space ensures people can read your logo from a distance or read it when it is really small. Less is more in terms of logos sometimes, so consider subtracting some elements.

💡 Colour is your friend! Pops of colour help make your logo stand out and are a great way to create a cohesive brand. One or two key brand colours can help you theme your materials, social media and more. This helps clients recognize your brand before even reading your business name.

💡 Above all, remember it is YOUR logo. You need to feel happy and confident with your final design. Revisions can always be made in the future to adapt to your changing ideas and business growth.

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Instagram Tips

NEW! Instagram now requires you to sell your first born child and document your entire life with your eyeball with their new update!

Kidding, of course. But have you seen all the posts announcing that Instagram is no longer a photo sharing profile, but a video sharing profile now? With crazy expectations for posting that includes:
😬 4-7 reels a week
🙃 4 feed posts a week
😶 1 hour live a week
😵 3 IGTVs a week
😟 10 story posts a day

If you saw any of these posts and thought “I can no longer be successful on Instagram” or “I don’t have time for this” or “I hate doing videos”… You are NOT alone.

And I’m here to tell you to breathe. It’s okay. This platform is your platform.

This platform is whatever you want it to be.
This platform is whatever you need it to be.
This platform is just another platform.
This platform is meant to help you, not stress you out.
This platform is a place you fit in. I promise.

Yes, engagement and the algorithm is important. But if you are so stressed out that showing up on Instagram becomes a chore, it’s not helping anybody.

As always, I encourage you to just stay authentic, stay open and stay consistent online. And never, ever be afraid to ask for help if you need it. We all do, and especially with this new update, a helping hand is never a bad idea.

Stay true and honest and keep having fun. This is your account, your platform, your voice.

You’ve got this ✨