It’s What *They* Say It Is
One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite designers (Marty Neumeier—I got to interview him on my podcast here!) goes like this:
“A brand isn’t what you say it is, it’s what they say it is.”
A brand isn’t what the designer, or even the client, says it is or should be. The brand lives in the relationship the audience has with it.
You can say it’s luxury, but if it reads cheap to your audience? It’s cheap.
You can say a brand feels nostalgic, but until your audience feels that internal ache, it’s just words in copy.
You can say you want a brand to feel whimsical, but if your audience is getting “childish…” you get what I’m saying.
The same applies to motherhood.
Let’s re-write that quote slightly:
“A good mom isn’t what you think it should be, it’s what they think it should be.”
You are you. And your kids are the audience.
My kids don’t see what I’m thinking on the inside:
I need to be more present.
I wish I could have been more patient in that moment.
Are we doing enough things together as a family?
I’ve failed them.
What they see on the outside are the little things that add up into one big (hopefully) happy childhood.
Holding their hands while we walk into the grocery store.
The way my face lights up when I see them for the first time in the morning or when they get home.
The tickle fights.
“Taste testing” every ingredient of dinner together while cooking.
All of those things—just like those little moments that your audience experiences with your brand—are what makes a good parent. And a good brand.
I love hearing from my readers—if this resonated with you (or you’ve ever questioned whether you’re a good enough mom). Send me a DM over on Instagram at @hellojunecreative—I love hearing from you guys! 💌
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
Listen to my conversation with Marty on Spotify below! ⬇️
