It’s time for another spotlight on one of our inspiring clients. Our time with Sseko so far has been a true testament to what partnerships should be:
- The best of both brands brought to the table
- Creativity, mission, and passion lining up with strategy, focus, and planning
Sseko Designs has been operating for over a decade. They are no strangers to branding, marketing, and audience building, so when they came to Elly and Nora Creative, we knew we’d be talking about big ideas and long-term strategy.
Each month when we spotlight, we not only want to bring attention to the amazing work our team and clients are doing, but also give you some takeaway tips we’ve learned from the campaigns.
All-Encompassing Brand Strategy
Client: Sseko Designs
Business Type: Fashion, Direct Sales, Social Enterprise
Campaign: Collaborate on all brand entities: social media, website, content, branded photography, and beyond
Sseko came to us as an established brand. They had a strong customer base, a large social media following, and all of their branding aesthetics established. So unlike our last client spotlight with Ruby Do, where we were starting from scratch, we were joining up with a well-run team in an effort to relieve some of the tasks from their plate and help them level up.
What We Love
Taking on as many elements as we have with Sseko means a steep learning curve. We have to put our heads in the mind of employees, the CEO, customers, social audiences, and beyond. So as we become a Sseko sister ourselves, we’ve also learned a lot.
- A brand on a mission is our jam. And Sseko does this well. Providing fair employment to women internationally, funding education, offering online income opportunities to women in the U.S., and creating quality handmade products are just a handful of what Sseko does in abundance. And when a brand knows their why, that makes working with them SO SMOOTH.
- Learning from clients is a huge part of agency growth. And wow have we learned from Sseko. Working with them through all that 2020 has thrown at the world has reminded us of, and awakened in us, a deep sense of purpose. When you are in close proximity to a brand that believes that there is good in the world and there’s a reason for their place in it, that sort of ambition is contagious.
- There’s always room for pluck. CEO of Sseko Designs, Liz Bohannon is all about PLUCK (check out her book and her podcast). And when you’re in the weeds, or hit a dead end, or make a mistake, it’s always a good reminder that a little bit of pluck can go a long way. Attitude is everything.
Takeaways for You
When working on an all-encompassing campaign it’s very similar to being a solopreneur operating every aspect of your business. Just like a one-man/woman show, we have to know the functions from floor to ceiling in order to deliver, so we want to share some ways you can get this view of your own brand.
- Listen to how others speak about you. Often we are too in our heads. Worried about perfect copy, eye-catching aesthetics, viral videos. When we were getting to know Sseko we were most informed by their customers, fellows, and employees. The heart of the company was represented in the enthusiasm of its people. Make sure you’re listening to yours.
- Quality products are great, but the story is money. There’s no denying Sseko has style. We LOVE all their products. We love their story even more. Remember that while product details are valuable, finding a way to convey your story is key.
- When you have something that’s working, double down. Sseko has been in business for eleven years. They have been working with Ugandans creating beautiful products and creating opportunities internationally. They could have easily just stuck to fashion, but they dove into the coffee market! They acknowledged that if they could foster a symbiotic industry in one niche, they could likely succeed in another. And we were so glad to be there to help them launch.
Whether you’re an agency or an individual, it’s important that you see the whole picture of a company. We’ve been able to be a part of every facet that makes Sseko, well Sseko and it’s been a great gift. Every time we get to know another business we also get to know ours even better.
