THE REAL FUNDAMENTALS OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS
The Blog for the Small Business Owner
Being a business owner means we're always learning. We're so excited to share our knowledge with you! These articles are inspired by FAQs you have and common issues/myths we hear and see in the design and marketing industry.
Explore to find tools, resources, and more to understand how to grow your business the right way!
Featured Blog Posts
Why Your Brand Might Be Missing the Mark (Even If You Have a Logo and Colours)
Many business owners have a logo. They’ve picked colours and fonts. They might even have a website. And when asked, they can confidently list their values, ideal audience, and mission. But here’s the problem…
What Grade Is Your Business In? And Are You Investing at the Right Level?
Just like your age dictates what grade you're in at school, your years in business should dictate where and how you invest. But unlike school, where there's a curriculum guiding you, entrepreneurship is a free-for-all. No one is handing you a syllabus saying, "Hey, it's time to upgrade your brand and website now."
The Formula for a High-Converting Services Page
Let’s be real, your Services page isn’t just a list of what you do. It’s a sales page in disguise. It’s where people decide if they trust you, if they need you, and most importantly, if they’re ready to pay you. So, let’s make sure it’s doing its job.
Why Branding and Website Costs Vary Wildly—And What You’re Really Paying For
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—sticker shock. If you've ever received a quote for branding, website design, or photography and thought, "Why is this so expensive?"—you’re not alone. The truth is, these services vary dramatically based on what’s included (or not included). Comparing prices without understanding the depth of each offering is like comparing a fast-food burger to a gourmet meal—they might seem similar, but the experience, quality, and results are worlds apart.
Why Investing $10K in Your Brand is the Smartest Business Move You'll Make
And no, we aren’t suggesting a $10k logo.
When small business owners hear a $10,000 investment for branding, website design, professional copywriting, and brand photography, the initial reaction is often sticker shock. But here’s the truth: this isn’t just a website or a logo—it’s a foundational investment that will pay for itself (and then some) when done right.
Things We’ll Never Do to Your Website (and What We Do Instead)
At My Wolf Design, we’ve seen it all: websites that confuse, overwhelm, or fail to make an impact. And we promise, we’ll never make those mistakes with yours.
Does Your Brand Look Cheap, DIY, Amateur, or Just Plain Bad?
We get it—strong branding is a big investment, and you might have thought a DIY approach was “good enough” when you started. But here’s the thing: Your visuals are the first impression potential customers have of your business. If they look cheap, amateur, or poorly thought-out, you might be losing trust—and sales—before you’ve even had a chance to speak.
Your Brand Says Everything Before You Do
If your business is positioned as premium or luxury, your brand and website need to look the part. It’s like dressing for the role you want—you wouldn’t show up to a black-tie event in a wrinkled t-shirt, so why let your business show up with DIY or cheap-looking assets?
SEO Myths Debunked: Why You’re Throwing Money Away Without Solid Foundations
Why SEO Isn’t a Magic Fix
SEO is often seen as the secret sauce to business success. People hear about ranking on Google and immediately think, “If I just pay for SEO, the customers will come!” But here’s the truth: SEO isn’t magic. If your brand, website, and visuals are unprofessional or poorly designed, no amount of SEO will save you. Instead of solving problems, you might just end up amplifying them.
Understanding Print Colours: CMYK, Pantone, and Why Print Looks Different from Digital
When designing your brand’s colours, you’ve probably come across terms like CMYK, HEX, and Pantone. But what do they all mean, and why do your colours sometimes look different in print than they do on your screen? Let’s break it down.
Why Your Logo (and Brand) Needs Design Principles to Thrive
Design isn’t just about making things look good—it’s about making them work. When we talk about principles of design, we’re really talking about the secret sauce that makes your logo memorable, your brand cohesive, and your business successful.
Marketing vs. Sales: Two Vital Paths to Business Growth
Many service-based business owners—whether they’re real estate agents, wellness centres, or mental health professionals—aren’t entirely clear on where marketing ends and sales begins. But getting this clarity can be a game-changer. Knowing what falls under each bucket helps you avoid gaps, make stronger connections, and, ultimately, convert more clients.
Why Your Home Page Should Be More Than Just One Section
Your home page is the virtual front door to your business. It’s often the first thing potential customers see, and it has one key job: to make them stay and explore. But if your home page is just one simple section, it’s like opening your front door, saying a quick hello, and then shutting it again. Not exactly welcoming, right?
How to Set (and Crush) Goals That Actually Move Your Business Forward
Goal setting should be the springboard that launches your business forward, not just another checkbox to tick off. If you've set goals in the past that fizzled out or didn’t create lasting impact, it’s time for a reset. Here, we’ll break down how to set SMART goals—with real insights on getting specific, aligning goals with business impact, and making sure they actually drive momentum.
Prep, Prepare, & Execute: The 5 Phases of a Knockout Black Friday Promo
Black Friday isn’t just a sale; it’s an event—and one you need to be prepared for if you want to make the most of it. With shoppers primed for deals, this is your chance to maximize visibility, excitement, and conversions.
6 Critical Factors for a High-Performing Website: Your Go-To Audit Guide
Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your brand—so it better be a good one! But how can you be sure that your site is performing at its best? The truth is, even the sleekest-looking websites can be held back by hidden issues like poor user experience (UX), slow loading speeds, or overlooked SEO opportunities.
Time is Money: Why Delaying in Business Costs More Than You Think
In business, time is the most valuable commodity. Yet, we see too many small business owners fall into the trap of waiting for the "perfect time" to invest in branding, marketing, or professional services. Whether it’s waiting to finish another task or get more revenue flowing, these delays are often a costly mindset mistake.
Your Final Quarter To-Do List: Wrapping Up the Year Strong
Whether you’re feeling on top of things or scrambling to catch up, these last few months are crucial for setting the stage for your business’s success in the new year. Here’s your essential to-do list to ensure you’re closing out the year with intention, focus, and a little bit of flair.
Considering a Website Upgrade? Here’s Why We Build on Squarespace and Everything You Need to Know If You Switch
If you’ve built your website on another platform, kudos to you! DIYing a website is no small feat. But as your business grows, you might find that your current setup isn't quite meeting your evolving needs.
How Tone and Personality Shape Your Brand
When you think of a brand, it's easy to picture a logo, colour palette, or a catchy slogan—but one of the most crucial (and often overlooked) elements is brand voice. A strong brand voice reflects the tone and personality of your business, and when done right, it can connect with your audience on a deeper level, making your brand memorable, relatable, and unique.