Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Cruickshanks.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kimberly. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started Fuze Branding in February 2014 as a way to build a collective of creative talent to provide the best branding results for small businesses. I had first started as a freelance designer, with a love for logos and visual identity, but quickly realized that small business owners needed more than what I could provide by myself. They needed a creative team that had their back with an easy and transparent process so they could focus on all the other aspects of their business.
With that goal in mind, Fuze Branding was created. Our company name reflects the unique “infusion” of our four main brand ingredients: company naming, visual brand identity, product photography, and web design to create BIG brands for small businesses.
Fast forward to today, we’ve worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs all over the world and I’m lucky to be surrounded by an incredible team that truly LOVES what we do!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The first year was the toughest. There’s just so many “learning moments” where you’re googling full sentence because you just have no idea. The legal contracts, hiring, interview questions, taxes, the client process, how to make expectations clear, marketing yourself on social media, writing blog posts, how to set pricing – you’re constantly learning and becoming better, which can be HARD.
But the best part is that is does get better, IF you choose to take each bad moment and TURN IT into an opportunity to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I started doing this every time I had a horrible client interaction, felt taken advantage of, or was banging my head against the wall for underquoting. I’d immediately take action and change our contract, or make the client email templates clearer – and I felt better and more in control. And now I can happily say things run SO SMOOTH and our clients love us for it. My number one advice would be to always put time and energy towards making improvements in your company structure, you’ll thank yourself for it!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Fuze Branding is a remote boutique branding agency. We specialize in company naming, visual brand identity, product photography, and web design. Our team might be small, but we deliver BIG results for our small businesses.
What is the most unique about Fuze is our flat rate package pricing and our transparent process. We’re proud to lift that shroud of mystery that can often feel intimating with other creative companies, and instead foster a company culture that is approachable and in your corner cheering you on!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I always looked forward to art class in elementary school. The sad thing was it was only once every other week, so I had to come up with my own at-home projects. When I was in Highschool, I enrolled in an art & advertising program, which sparked my interest (and planted the possibility) of going to a design college in Los Angeles.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2007 Sawtelle Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025 - Website: www.fuzebranding.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fuzebranding/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fuzebranding/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fuze-branding-los-angeles
Image Credit:
Fuze Branding
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