I'm not saying that one week changed everything in my business, but it absolutely created a major shift in my creativity and gave me the momentum I needed for the final push on this rebrand.
Since taking the week before last to focus solely on my brand, I've:
- Finalized my messaging
- Ideated updates for my lead magnets
- Beta-launched my Brand Brushstrokes offer (which has been my best-received offer to date—two new clients in the first 10 days, plus a handful of leads in my CRM - 2 Beta Spot's left :)
That dedicated week gave me the momentum to juggle client work while maintaining focus on my rebrand. I even updated The Cedar June Color Kit—a free resource so packed with value that my first beta tester demanded I charge money for it (more on that below).
Perhaps most importantly, it reignited my creativity. I haven't felt this excited about my brand in a long time. I documented the entire experience through daily vlogs and finally feel like I'm finding my video editing and storytelling style. It even prompted a spontaneous content shoot that I've been working on today (peep some sneaks peaks by scrolling all the way to the bottom).
The Before Picture
Going into my CCO week, I honestly did not feel excited about my business. I was running out of patience with my rebrand, and for the first time in a very long time, I was considering getting a side job.
The CCO week was something just for me—something I actually felt excited about. Initially, I only scheduled it because I had a break in client work, but taking a week for just my brand turned out to be the best decision I could have made.
I've always known I do my best work during long, uninterrupted periods, so having a whole week where I was my main focus helped me make significant progress on what feels like the never-ending rebrand to-do list.
Going forward, I'm blocking out a CCO week once per quarter as the perfect reset—a chance to regroup, go deep, and get creative.
This newsletter is dedicated to what I learned from my first CCO week and what I'll be doing differently next time.
Make Time for Your Own Business with a CCO Week
Making time to move your brand forward is tough to balance on a day-to-day basis. That's why I'm advocating for the CCO (Chief Creative Officer) week—because let's be honest, it sounds way more fun than "CEO week."
Having an extended period dedicated solely to your brand helps you dive deeper and develop your vision with true focus. It's the perfect way to finally check those "big" projects off your to-do list—like updating resources, writing that website copy you've been putting off, or building that sales page that's been living in your head for months.
My Tips for Your Q2 CCO Week:
- Schedule it (like, right now): Open your calendar app and block out a week where you commit to zero client work. Instead, focus entirely on getting shit done for your own brand. Treat this time as non-negotiable.
- Go in with a game plan: For example, I'm already thinking my Q2 CCO week will be dedicated to batching content, mainly newsletters for July when I know I'll be working less and have limited time for creation. I didn't do this before my sabbatical last summer and ended up ghosting Instagram for a while. I've worked too hard building community and authority on that platform this year to peace out come summer.
- Limit client work & meetings: During my CCO week, I had a couple of meetings and maintained some communication with clients, but I wasn't performing any actual services. Create boundaries that work for you while protecting your creative time.
- Share your process: Find ways to bring your audience along on your CCO journey. I created daily vlogs and recorded my "done lists," posting them in threads. Not only did this hold me accountable, but it also generated significant engagement with my audience who loved seeing behind the scenes.
The Cedar June Color Kit: Too Good to Be Free?
Speaking of resources updated during my CCO week, my first beta tester insisted the new Cedar June Color Kit was too valuable to give away for free. So, I've decided: if you had the original version, congratulations! You've been automatically upgraded to the new version at no cost.
For everyone else, I'm offering this comprehensive resource on a pay-what-you-want basis.
What You'll Get:
→ Color Theory 101 (But For Your Brand): The science behind what makes a color scheme actually "work"
→ A Customizable Canva Template: Build your color scheme + guidelines for how to use it effectively
→ A Step-By-Step Tutorial: I'll walk you through using your Canva template to create a strategic brand color scheme
BONUS: Submit your color scheme for personalized feedback from me!
Ready to transform your brand colors from random choices to strategic assets?
|
|
FROM THE ARCHIVE
The First Step in Curating a Brand Identity That Feels Like You
My four-step process for blending your personal aesthetic with your professional brand.
|
|
|
JOIN THE WAITLIST
Pay What You Want For The 2D Brand Design Masterclasss
Live April 24th, I'm teaching you how to think like a designer so you can create assets so good you'll have your biz besties asking who you put on reatiner
|
|
|
FROM THE ARCHIVE
Lipstick strategies for surviving slow seasons
7 ways to make a buck & build your brand at the same time
|