The Myth of the ‘Perfect’ Brand: Why Done Is Better Than Perfect!

If you're just starting out in business and feeling overwhelmed by branding, you're not alone. The internet is full of polished, professional brands that seem lightyears ahead of where you are. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need the ‘perfect’ brand before you can put yourself out there.

But here’s the truth: perfection is a myth, and waiting for it will only hold you and your business back.

Your Brand Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Work

Many new business owners get stuck because they think branding means spending thousands on a professionally designed logo, a meticulously curated color palette, and a website that looks like it belongs to a Fortune 500 company.

While these things are valuable, they aren’t essential for getting started. What matters most is having a brand that feels right for you, right now - something that represents who you are and what you do, even if it’s a little rough around the edges.

What you really need to concentrate on is getting your brilliant idea out there and getting people coming to you because it’s exactly what they need. Taking those baby steps that start moving you forward on your journey.

The Big Brands Didn’t Start Perfect

Let’s take Apple, for example. Their branding today is sleek, minimal, and instantly recognisable. But go back to their early days, and you’ll find a completely different story. Their first logo was a detailed illustration of Isaac Newton under an apple tree - hardly the clean, iconic apple silhouette we know today. They evolved as their business evolved, and that’s exactly what you should expect for your brand, too.

That being said, Apple doesn’t just pick any old random Canva template and hope for the best. They have a strategy. They have a plan, they have thought about how they want everything to look. And ok they do have a big team and spend thousands of dollars on marketing - which I know you can’t. But if you break it down, they have their logo, they have planned their brand, they know how they want everything to look. Following a few simple steps like this and just spending some time thinking about how your brand should look can actually save you hours of wasted time.

Spend the time picking colours, fonts, and visuals that align with your business values and make sure your brand is cohesive, even if it’s simple.

Branding Is a Journey, Not a Destination

Your brand will grow and change just as your business does. What you create today doesn’t have to be forever - it just has to be good enough to get you moving. Many successful entrepreneurs look back at their first logo or website and cringe, but they wouldn’t have gotten to where they are now without taking that first step.

So, if you’re hesitating to launch because you feel like your brand isn’t ‘perfect’ yet, take a breath. Done is better than perfect. Start with what you have, make it the best you can with the tools available to you, and trust that you can refine it as you go.

Need a Little Help?

If you want a brand that looks professional without spending a fortune, there are ways to DIY it while still being strategic.

Start with a clear idea of your brand values, your vision and your mission. Keep things consistent, and don’t be afraid to evolve over time.

And if you ever feel like you’re stuck, there are designers (like me!) who can help you, when you’re ready.

So go ahead - put your brand out there, even if it’s not perfect. Because the only way to grow is to start.