Creating Authentic Brand Values

CREATING AUTHENTIC BRAND VALUES

“Branding is fascinating. Creating a brand that is authentic and timeless is what entrepreneurs dream of. Dare to be different, dare to dream.”

– Independent Zen

Welcome to this month’s edition of Big Branding for Little Businesses!
Over the past couple of issues, we’ve explored the steps to a successful rebrand and why personal branding is your secret weapon. This month, we’re bringing those ideas full circle with a topic that’s essential to both: authenticity. Specifically, how aligning your personal and business values can lead to a truly authentic brand that resonates on a deeper level.

At the core of authenticity is alignment—between who you are and what your business stands for, so this month we are going to talk about how aligning your personal and business values not only strengthens your brand identity but also builds deeper trust and connection with your audience.

If you’re serious about creating a brand that feels real, grounded, and powerful, this is where it starts.

Let’s get into it.

Warmly, Alysha
Owner, Wow Studios

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Exciting News – New Masterclass: Authentically You: Branding from the heart

Let’s Talk Branding – Create authentically you brand values

Brand Education – Existing Brand Self-Evaluation Guide

Past Stories – More blogs about branding

Feel Inspired – Ten things we know to be true – Googles Brand Philosophy

EXCITING NEWS

✨ NEW MASTERCLASS ✨

Authentically You: Branding from the heart

Because empowered women build unforgettable businesses.

I’m so excited to invite you to our newest brand masterclass, designed especially for women like you who are ready to step into their next chapter with clarity, confidence, and connection.

Whether you’re just starting out or refreshing your existing business, this hands-on masterclass series will give you the tools, strategy, and support to create a brand that reflects you, expresses your passion, aligns with your purpose and speaks directly to your dream clients.

If you’ve been feeling unsure about how to bring your brand to life with confidence and authenticity, this course is for you.

👉 Let’s turn your vision into a brand that’s bold, beautiful and totally reflects you!

Speak to us today to find out how this masterclass can give your brand the boost it’s been waiting for.

LET’S TALK BRANDING

CREATE AUTHENTICALLY YOU BRAND VALUES

When it comes to building a vibrant brand that your audience can connect with, the number one most important tip I can give you is to create a brand that is a reflection of your own personal beliefs and values. It’s only by being authentic that we can establish meaningful and lasting connections.

To do this you should begin by developing your brand values. They are part of your brand heart and assist you in developing your purpose; the ‘why’ you do what you do beyond making a profit. These values, should ultimately become the core of your entire brand strategy. Your personal values will play a big role in guiding your business decisions, so it’s important to take the time to really get to the heart of what’s important to you.

So, what are personal and brand values?

Values are more than just buzzwords, they are the principles that guide your actions and decisions.

They are deeply rooted in your early life experiences and your personal identity. In business, your values help shape how your business operates, communicates and connects with your clients and customers. You express these values through your actions, interactions, messaging and the overall experience you give your customer.

As entrepreneurs and small business owners, our personal and brand values should overlap. When they are aligned, your brand will feel more genuine and authentic. For example, if you personally value empowering others, as I do, then your brand might have a strong focus on teaching, uplifting and creating positive impact on those who engage with your business.

Why does value-based branding attract better clients?

People want to buy from brands that stand for something that they also believe in.

When you lead with your values, you give your audience the chance to connect with you on a deeper, more emotional level. An example I often use is the Dove Real Beauty campaign. Bringing to the forefront the idea that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Dove decided to pivot away from traditional marketing and create marketing campaigns that celebrated real women and body positivity. Today you see this everywhere, however Dove were really the pioneers in this field. By creating an emotional connection with their audiences, they were able to build deep loyalty and boost their reputation as a brand that cares, not just sells.

How do you determine and align your personal and brand values?

Step One: Brainstorm your personal values

It starts by sitting down and brainstorming what really matters to you deep down inside. There are no wrong answers here and it’s important to write down at least twenty.

Ask yourself;

• What really matters to me and what are the things in life that I absolutely won’t compromise on?
• What qualities do I admire in others?
• When do I feel most proud of myself?

Here are a few to get you started…

Step Two: Brainstorm your brand values

Next, you need to define your business values. These values will guide the experience you create for your customers, how you run your business and how you communicate with your audience.

Ask yourself;

• What kind of experience do I want my clients and customers to have?
• What sets me apart from my competitors?
• How do I want people to feel after interacting with my brand and business?

Below are a few business values to help you build your list.

Step Three: Look for overlap, pick your top five and turn them into actionable values.

You should find when you compare your two lists that you have quite a few commonalities. The words may be different in some cases, however the sentiment is echoed. Narrow down your two lists until you end up with just five key words that really resonate with you both personally and in how you want your business to be guided. Then, turn them into actionable guiding principles.

For example: If your value is honesty, your actionable guiding principle could be to be transparent with pricing, timelines and expectations.

Here are a few concepts you can use as a base for creating your brand guiding principles.

Connection & Community

• Authenticity – Being real and transparent builds trust.
• Empathy – Understanding and relating to your audience’s needs and emotions.
• Kindness – A human-first approach that resonates in both messaging and customer service.
• Inclusivity – Creating a brand that welcomes all backgrounds and experiences.
• Collaboration – Working with others and valuing shared success.

Leadership & Growth

• Integrity – Doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
• Accountability – Owning your actions and results.
• Courage – Taking bold steps, being visible, and trying new things.
• Curiosity – Staying open to learning and evolving.
• Wisdom – Applying life and business experience in a grounded, valuable way.

Creativity & Expression

• Innovation – Finding fresh solutions and unique ideas.
• Self-Expression – Letting your personality or brand voice shine through.
• Inspiration – Uplifting and motivating others through your work.
• Clarity – Communicating with intention and focus.

Service & Impact

• Purpose – Knowing your ‘why’ and letting it guide your decisions.
• Generosity – Giving value without expecting something in return.
• Empowerment – Helping others grow, succeed, and believe in themselves.
• Sustainability – Making choices that support long-term wellbeing (personal, social, environmental).

Excellence & Reliability

• Professionalism – Showing up with polish, respect, and confidence.
• Consistency – Delivering dependable experiences time and again.
• Quality – Valuing craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Efficiency – Respecting your clients’ and your own time and energy.

Why doing this matters?

You didn’t start your business just to keep busy, you started it to make a difference. And that difference begins with clarity about who you are and what you stand for.

Defining your personal and brand values gives you more than just nice words to put on a website, it helps you create a business that truly reflects who you are, what you stand for and the legacy you want to leave.

This isn’t just a feel-good exercise; it’s a powerful tool that brings clarity to your marketing, consistency to your client experience, and confidence to your decision-making. When your brand is rooted in values, it becomes more than just a business—it becomes a reflection of your integrity, passion, and vision. And that’s what truly sets you apart.

BRAND EDUCATION

KNOW YOUR BRAND, GROW YOUR BRAND!

Your brand is more than just a logo — it’s the feeling you create, the story you tell, and the reputation you build.

Whether you’re rebranding or refining, this checklist will help you uncover hidden gaps, clarify your purpose, and create a brand that truly aligns with who you are and what you stand for. Let’s bring your brand into focus and elevate your impact.

WANT TO LEARN MORE, CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR PAST STORIES

FEEL INSPIRED

Learn about Google’s ”10 things we know to be true”, a philosophy that has guided the company from the beginning to this very day.

Ten things we know to be true – Googles Brand Philosophy

CREATE THE UNEXPECTED, DELIVER HAPPINESS!

WOW STUDIOS – WE BRING YOUR CREATIVE IDEAS TO LIFE

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About the Author

Alysha is a seasoned graphic designer and brand educator with over a decade of experience in marketing and design. She specializes in crafting bold, unique brand identities, and marketing collateral that gets noticed. Working primarily with small and medium-sized businesses, she partners with entrepreneurs who seek a long-term design collaborator who truly understands their brand, audience, and business goals. While she serves a wide range of industries, she has a particularly strong presence in financial services, investor relations, and the creative entrepreneurial space.

Beyond design, Alysha is passionate about educating small business owners on the power of branding. Through her blog, she shares expert insights on design, brand strategy, and proactive marketing—helping business owners stand out, build credibility, and attract their ideal customers. Her brand education work focuses primarily on guiding women entrepreneurs over 40 in understanding their competitors, defining their audience, clarifying their brand’s deeper purpose, and developing a compelling brand personality and messaging.

With a friendly, efficient, and results-driven approach, Alysha ensures her designs and branding strategies are not only visually compelling but also strategically aligned to help businesses thrive.