Sometimes making resolutions feel exhilarating. Sometimes they feel exhausting. If this year you just aren’t feeling it when it comes to January 1st promises and 2021 daydreams, here are a few things you can do for your business that aren’t resolutions but can contribute to the overall success of your business. Look Back The New […]
We would be remiss if we just rolled into resolutions and 2021 and didn’t acknowledge what 2020 was for so many. Small businesses had to struggle and stretch and strain to make it to the end of this year. So many didn’t make it at all. If you are staring at 2021 with anxiety, worry, […]
Have you been getting that itch? Like maybe it’s time to level up, but you’re not exactly sure. Not sure if you have the time. Not sure if you have the bandwidth. Not sure if you even have the desire. Growth is scary. And, it’s not always 100% necessary. Let’s unpack the feelings and practicalities […]
If you’ve been a single product solopreneur for a while, you’re probably getting the itch to expand. Whether it’s demand from your audience or just your need to branch out, choosing where to go next with your digital products can be a tough decision. Figure out how you can level up without bottoming out your […]
We still have a month of holiday frenzy left. The cocoa is flowing, we have finger cramps from wrapping and we’ve baked so many cookies that we’ve signed up for a chocolate chip subscription on Amazon. Buuuut, we still think it’s a good idea to take some downtime and consider your new year’s resolutions right […]
People go bonkers during Black Friday. Like… severely bonkers. And whether you participate or not, whether you’re all about the online or you wait in long lines with a belly full of pumpkin pie, we bet you wish you could generate the kind of mania that occurs around Black Friday for your business. Not […]
In times like these, one of the best ways to get out of our heads and into some grace is through gratitude. If you are operating a business, you have customers who have given you their time and their money. During this time of year, ESPECIALLY in 2020, spreading a little joy will not only […]
It’s getting pretty hard to avoid Instagram Stories. If you’ve been resisting, hoping that filling your feed is enough, then it’s time to strap in. Over 500 million people are sharing to their Instagram Stories every day. Some are all out abandoning their feed for this fast-moving, snapshot of life. But it’s a little less […]
We know email isn’t “sexy” sexy. It’s reliable, consistent, a little older, but there is a refinement to it that, when packaged properly, can be (dare we say it?) exciting. It’s officially the time of year of email BOMBARDMENT. Everyone is having a Black Friday sale, Holiday Gift Guides are being delivered by the dozen. […]
Everyone has heard the phrase “blogging is dead” somewhere. It’s a common trope of the “marketing tips” community to call something dead when it’s a few years old. Facebook is dead. Twitter is dead. Myspace is dead. Okay, that last one might be true. But the real truth is, as long as something is still […]
If you spend any amount of time with Elly and Nora Creative, you’re going to hear us talk about buckets. A lot. Buckets are the bread and butter of our branding strategy. It’s a crucial element to understanding any business and business owner. Since we’ll be mentioning buckets a lot, we thought it would be […]
Each month we want to take a moment to highlight one of our clients or campaigns we’re working on. We don’t like to brag… except for when it comes to how awesome our clients are and how E&N kicked butt on a project. Fine, we like a little brag sesh. (EVERYONE should be allowed to […]
Show Notes: Gino is a visual artist and designer. His work has been exhibited and collected in the U.S., U.K., Europe, Asia and Australia. He runs his own art gallery alongside his mom in downtown Phoenix called Belhaus, where he operates as creative director. The gallery/café features a collection of original artwork from a select […]
We know you. Working all the deals. Dreaming up the big goals. Operating behind the scenes. CEOs are the gears that keep their business running, not always the watch face. When we talk to these undercover executives, the idea of putting themselves front and center causes immediate recoil. They have spent so much time pushing […]
If when you think of hiring a publicist you start thinking of Entourage, this post is for you. Many business owners (big and small) look at publicity as something to consider way down the road. Or a person who cleans up shop after a celebrity embarasses themselves. But the truth is, publicists can be brought […]
In business, there are always catchy little phrases meant to motivate or guide new business owners towards “success.” Grab the low-hanging fruit. Think outside the box. Failure is not an option. Supersize it. Okay, that last one was just because we’re hungry. You get the idea though. Most of these are old and tired, but […]
We’ve all been there. Uninspired. Unmotivated. Stuck. Slow-going. And if ever there were a year for losing your edge and your focus, 2020 is it. There’s so much out there to distract you. So many concerns pulling you away from your determination. None of us could have foreseen all the ways in which we’d be […]
Every creative has a wandering eye. We have a project in front of us, but all these ideas are brewing in our imagination, waiting to be tinkered with. So we’ll try a little something here and a little something there, dabbling in those ideas for that rush of new creation. If creatives were a meme, […]
PR can be a big investment for small businesses. It’s also one of those items on the promotional checklist that you know has impact, but it’s hard to quantify. So when you’re a one-person show it’s understandable you’d be considering handling PR yourself to save money while moving the needle. We support that! As an […]
Covid-19 has ravaged industries across the world, deeming certain aspects of our society as “essential” while leaving others in shambles. Our heart has been hurting for the performance art sector, a form of entertainment we hold very near and dear to our hearts here at Elly and Nora. As the world tries to find […]
Some people naturally show up, front and center, in their brand. Others prefer pushing their business and their products to the forefront. Neither is right or wrong. What we’re talking about is the difference between personal branding and corporate branding. And if you’re contemplating which fits you and your business best, it’s important to […]
The need for CEOs to build a brand of their own is not a new concept. Anyone running a business should be as accessible as the brand itself. We know customers don’t connect with logos alone. Audiences don’t attach to a business name. Products do not ignite human connection. People are what people need. And […]
We see you over there, DIYing your PR. And we just want to say… “You go, Glen Coco!” Public relations is not an easy gig. Especially when you are starting from scratch, doing it yourself. Researching media contacts, crafting pitches, following up, and wondering if it’s working while you wait is a difficult process. So […]
Show Notes: Mike is a Phoenix and Scottsdale-based, self-described “storm chasing wedding photographer.” His work has been seen around the world in commercials, documentaries, magazines, movies, sports, television shows, websites, etc., and he’s even received a coveted Emmy Award. Specializing in time-lapse storm footage and fine artwork, Mike grew up obsessing over storms. He focused […]
Whether you are a selfie superstar or want to avoid the camera at all costs, a brand photoshoot is for you. Whether you’re just getting started or deep into building your business, a brand photoshoot is for you. Whether you’re a personal brand or a corporate brand, a brand photoshoot is for you. Once upon […]
Show Notes: Georganne established her brick and mortar, Frances, in Central Phoenix 13 years ago. As the creator behind “love Phoenix or leave Phoenix,” she has put her heart and soul into creating what is known as a Phoenix staple. The shop includes a carefully curated selection of clothing, jewelry, home goods, and novelty gifts. […]
I mean, let’s be honest. You know our answer to this is “yes.” Obviously we believe women can be moms and CEOs. We also know that it darn sure isn’t easy. We know the doubt. The double standards. The undeniable push and pull. Is it fulfilling? Yes. Is it hard? Yes. Do you sometimes feel […]
We talk a lot about content. We also do a lot of instructing on publicity. What’s really important to understand, however, is how these two branding elements work together. You can’t expect to get far with public relations without content. Conversely, content can help publicity opportunities to seemingly fall in your lap. So let’s discuss […]
Branding is about so much more than loving the way something looks. It’s about loving the feel. How the brand speaks and acts, how they serve their customers and the world around them, this is all a part of it. It can be somewhat intangible though. With a great brand, you won’t feel the branding. […]
Show Notes: Coley and Lindsey stumbled upon their entrepreneurial dream eight years ago out of happenstance when they hosted a backyard junk sale. Since then, they have hosted four Junk in the Trunk Vintage Markets a year — two in Arizona and two in California — started The Foundress and are currently working on The […]
Show Notes: Ashley is a certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, a certified Sports and Exercise Nutrition Coach through Precision Nutrition and an International Federation of Body Building and Fitness Professional Athlete. She offers personal training and small-group training in Scottsdale, Arizona, as well as online fitness and nutrition coaching all […]
Show Notes: Jessica founded See Salt in 2013 alongside her mother, who is also her business partner. It is a finishing salt company that offers extremely versatile, mineral-rich, non-processed salts for daily use. What originally started as a food blog specializing in fairly simple recipes has turned into marketing a product while creating brand and […]
Think of what you really want. Then stare into water. Important water. And suddenly, you’ll start to sing. And that’s how you find your brand voice… Just kidding. This isn’t a Disney movie. Or a musical. This is your business. But a strong voice is still a must. However, this concept of voice is a […]
Pink. Florals. Gold accents. Picturesque photoshoots. Immaculately styled flat lays. Who doesn’t love them? But pardon us for saying, pretty might be holding us all back. We all love it in our brand, but it isn’t easy to achieve. Everyone wants to kick off their brand with a fresh blowout, but most of us only […]
Who doesn’t love a good pumpkin spice latte and some leaves changing colors? It’s basically everyone’s favorite time of year. But let’s be honest, when it comes to branding around fall, a lot of businesses tend to do the same thing. If you want to lean into the season changing, but still be authentically you, […]
When we think of web design, we usually think of talented beautifiers who take our often “meh” hub for branding and turn it into a glittering display of our hard work. A good web designer can make your brand look good. A great web designer can unearth your brand’s true potential. If you’re designing a […]
Show Notes: Malori is the owner and lead designer of Form Floral, an art-focused floral design company based out of Phoenix, Arizona. Though she earned her degree in marketing, Malori found herself craving a more creative path. Over the past six years, she’s honed her floral design skills and grown her business from a home-based […]
Sleep is for the weak. If it’s not making money, it’s just a hobby. Hustle. Hustle. Hustle. Our culture has become a place where rest is categorized with laziness. And therefore anything that we do for joy and peace instead of production is ruled unessential. As we come to terms with this mentality we’re […]
Do you remember back in the day when your favorite indie band would sign with a major label and everyone would lament “Oh they sold out.” It wasn’t punk rock to be getting a paycheck from the man and anyone with a little rebel streak in them would mourn the loss of a budding […]
When you hear the word networking, what do you think of? A smarmy character handing you a business card at a conference? An awkward mixer with strangers? (We’ll take a double vodka soda for those ones please.) A forced comment on an influencer’s post? Networking feels… ick, sometimes. Right? Or at least our perception of […]
Show Notes: Kaeli Day has over 15 years of experience in graphic design and screen printing. She is also an illustrator, writer and the owner/CEO of Kaeraz. Kaeraz was founded in 2013 by Kaeli and it features a collection of retro-style tees, accessories and other southwest and souvenir-inspired apparel. She spends her days running an […]