“If you think a professional is expensive, wait ’til you try an amateur.”

Red Adair

(image via Google)

Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening.

Beauty professionals have incredible pride in being masters of their passion. And I love that. Graduating beauty school is still to this day one of my most awesome accomplishments.

Most likely you studied and practiced for years to obtain a license, certification, or some type of advanced knowledge. You have invested several thousand dollars to train with the best and are passionately committed to daily improvement to the tune of thousands more dollars and time in advanced education and tools.

What baffles me is how did that experience make you believe that you also can design marketing plans and strategies, design logos and websites and create brands? Last time I checked, beauty school curriculum did not include graphic design, strategy, branding or business development.

I’m sure the graphic designer or web programmer feels the same way you feel when they see your DIY graphics and websites, like when you see DIY cuts and colors. #ugh If I had a dollar for every time hairdressers freaked out about home hair color, and YouTube stars teaching at home beauty, I would be a gazllionaire.

Developing a website (and a business or brand for that matter) is way more than the colors and fonts. There is a strategy behind each word, each page, and each click. Same with logos. You think if it was that easy there would be a degree for graphic design? Creating a business, a brand, a logo, a website and a strategy is both an art and a science. Sound familiar?

By all means DIY, but please know that nine times out of ten it will show, in both your sales and profits.

In the world I work & play in, I cannot tell you how many times people have asked for help then quickly said, “I can’t afford it.” My question back is “Then how can you afford to build a business?” I have seen entrepreneurs waste thousands of dollars (including myself, not thousands but hundreds) and insane amounts of time on DIY, in the end, being frustrated and mad and nothing to show for it. I have also seen people do it the right way, invest time and money up front, and get what they need to create awesome.

You don’t need a million dollar budget to create. But you do need someone with experience and expertise to help guide you. You can do it right the first time, or you can do it wrong the first time, second time and third time until you realize it’s just not working.

When you choose to move way outside your experience and expertise, don’t be surprised when things don’t work out as you wished they would.

Once you engage a pro and set objectives, create a plan, logo, and brand identity, there are some great DIY (kinda) platforms for small businesses to use. But again, use with caution, and if you do not understand it, engage someone who does.

Here are some DIY and (kinda) DIY resources I use often for my business:

Canva
WordSwag
PicMonkey
Squarespace
WordPress
MailChimp
Moo
StickerMule

For my website, shopping cart, workshop materials and program logos, I engage a professional designer and web programmer, always. I pay $50-$75/hr. for these services and they are based on referrals from people I trust and content I love. For strategy, planning and marketing, I have quite a bit of experience in that area, so for me it’s DIY, after almost 30 years in the business of education, sales, leadership and marketing.

I also invest a significant time and money to feed my brain. Whether it’s through books, webinars, workshops, or coaches. This month alone I have invested over $500 in my education and well being. How much have you invested?

There are exceptions to every rule. If you are a bad ass hairdresser, graphic designer, web programmer, marketer, and strategist, I want to meet you and give you a big hug.

Love + Awesomeness-
Nina

Want to work with someone who can help guide you on the path to awesomeness in your biz + life? Click here and lets chat. If we are not a good fit and I can’t help you, I most certainly will point you in a good solid direction to help you grow. But beware, you will get 100% honesty from me. Because I care. So be ready.