What I’d do with $0 to grow a brand with intention
A solid plan for showing up, building trust, and making your work visible
If I had no budget, no team, no fancy visuals, just the work I believed in and the will to build something new, this is exactly how I’d start:
I’d follow these five steps that don’t require anything but your own attention and care.
Step 1: Get clear on what you’re offering (in plain language)
You don’t need a tagline. You need to be able to explain what you do without apologizing or over-explaining.
What problem are you helping people solve?
Who is this really for?
What changes when they work with you?
Write it like you’d tell a friend who’s actually curious.
Keep revisiting it until it feels true. Not impressive; true.
Step 2: Choose one place to show up
Not everywhere. Not everything. One place.
Where do you already feel comfortable sharing ideas or stories? Where do your people already spend time?
Pick that. Commit to showing up there with intention.
Step 3: Share something useful every week
Doesn’t matter if it’s a short post, a long reflection, or a tip you’ve learned through experience. Just make it useful or meaningful to the people you want to reach.
Don’t overthink the format. Don’t chase engagement.
Say something real. Say it again next week.
Brands are built through repetition, not reach.
Step 4: Choose a visual language you can maintain
Forget the logo for now. You don’t need a logo.
Pick one color. One typeface. One way you like to show up visually.
That might mean black-and-white photography. It might mean text-only posts. It might mean beige and bold, or handwritten notes.
What matters is that it’s consistent and it feels like you.
Step 5: Make it easy for people to work with you
If someone wants to reach out, how would they do it?
Have one place: a link, a page, a pinned post—where they can learn what you offer, how to contact you, or what the next step is.
You don’t need a full website. You need one clear next step.
You don’t need a big launch. You don’t need to “build an audience.”
You need to start showing up with a voice that’s yours, and a message that holds.
This is what I’d do if I were starting from scratch.
No big budget, team or pressure. Just a slow, thoughtful beginning.
Because that’s enough. 🦊
