Defining Your Brand Values as an Intentional Business Owner

If you just landed here from that onboarding question, hi. 😉 If you're landing here from the internet, yay for that too! I'm so glad you're invested in taking your brand values seriously, because they truly are the heart of your business! I created this resource for new business owners and entrepreneurs, as well as for existing businesses and brands who are in the midst of rebranding and are ready to re-align before moving forward.

What Brand Values Are and What They Help You Do

Brand values are the core beliefs and guiding principles that you (and your business) stand for. Clear values sharpen your audience and allow you to start resonating deeply with the peeps who are looking for everything you're about. This is the first step of branding: the the foundations of your business. Everything else (your colors, your voice, your website, your captions) are just those beliefs translated into something people can see.

Taking the time to establish your brand values is a fabulous way to help you connect deeper, and more authentically, with your business so you can represent yourself accurately and operate in alignment. Think of your values as the reason you started your entrepreneur journey, the things you protect on hard days, and the standards you hold yourself to when you're behind closed doors.

It's so important to establish these before venturing into branding, building a website, marketing yourself, and getting out on social media so your audience doesn't question who you are or what you're all about. It's especially important as we move into the world of AI and carbon copies within industries. You are meant to stand out. Own that. Get intentional. Infuse your soul into your business! That's what makes it so damn special.

3 Questions to Ask Yourself to Accurately Establish Your Brand Values

1. What do you refuse to compromise on? Even when it costs you time, money, or an easy yes.

2. What did you walk away from to build this? A job, an industry, an old way of doing things... whatever you left probably tells you something about what you're not willing to go back to.

3. What do people say about you, unprompted? Reread a few testimonials or DMs. The words people keep repeating back to you are usually your values, spoken in someone else's voice.

Brand Values Examples: Pick One From Each Category!

Need a nudge? A well-rounded set of values usually touches three things: how you operate, how you make people feel, and what you're building toward. Scan the categories below and pick at least one word from each that feel true to you. Reflect on your answers above to guide your choices here.

1. How you operate: Honesty · integrity · precision · transparency · craftsmanship · resilience · intentionality

2. How you make people feel: Warmth · generosity · playfulness · connection · joy · inclusivity · loyalty

3. What you're building toward: Individuality · boldness · sustainability · curiosity · ambition · simplicity · community

Answer these and you've already got a set of values more honest than most businesses land on in a paid branding session!

Ready to turn your Brand Values to Brand Visuals?

I'd love to learn more about you and your business and create the perfect brand suite for your business. The first step to all of our projects is meeting over a virtual call to make sure we're a great fit. If you've read this article, we have an inkling that we'll be a great fit.

Schedule a Free Intro Call