AND IF YOU PREFER TO READ, HERE'S THE SUMMARY OF THE PODCAST EPISODE!

So, let’s start at the beginning: why did we decide to rebrand? Honestly, this wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. Over the past year, as both this podcast and Verve have grown, I started to notice something. The podcast and Verve had developed their own separate identities, and while that might sound fine on the surface, it didn’t feel right to me. They were both part of the same house, so to speak, but it felt like they were living in different worlds. And honestly? They kept growing farther and farther apart.

For instance, if you were receiving emails from me—maybe a download from Verve or something from the template shop—the experience didn’t feel cohesive. It was like the pieces didn’t quite fit together, and I didn’t love that. It didn’t reflect who we are as a brand or how I want you to feel when you interact with us.

And that’s where the idea for a rebrand started. I wanted everything to feel unified, like it all came from the same place, the same heart, and the same mission. I wanted the experience to feel seamless, whether you’re tuning into the podcast, downloading a template, or working with us directly.

But there was more to it than just cohesion. We’ve grown so much since the early days, and the brand we had—while professionally done and beautiful—just didn’t fit where we are now. It reflected who we were five years ago, but not who we are today. Our experience, our offerings, even the people we serve have all evolved, and I wanted the brand to reflect that growth.

So, the why behind the rebrand was really twofold: to create a cohesive experience for all of you and to ensure the brand reflects where we are now—not where we were five years ago. It was about looking ahead and setting the tone for the future.

The First Steps/Research Before the Rebrand

Now that we’ve covered the why behind the rebrand, let’s dive into the how. Rebranding is no small feat, and I quickly learned that if you’re thinking about doing it, you need to start yesterday. Seriously—it takes longer than you think!

Once I decided it was time to rebrand, my first step was to find the right designer. I knew I needed someone who not only had the creative talent but also really understood our vision and what makes us unique. So, I reached out to a designer I had admired for a long time. I’d seen her work on other projects, and I always thought her designs were thoughtful, colorful, and full of personality—exactly what I wanted for Verve.

But then, I contacted her in June, and the earliest she could start was September. That’s something to keep in mind if you’re considering a rebrand: good designers book up fast. But that timeline worked for us because we were heading into our busy season, and we wouldn’t have the bandwidth to dive into the rebrand right away anyway.

Once we got started, the first step was a discovery call. This was our chance to talk about everything—why we felt the rebrand was necessary, what we wanted to achieve, and how we wanted people to feel when they interacted with our brand. For me, the big themes were cohesion, growth, and reflection. I wanted the new brand to feel like a true representation of where we are now while also setting the tone for where we’re headed.

And before our next meeting, I did a lot of preparation. I spent time reflecting on what makes Verve special and thinking about the legacy I want to leave. I also did some deep research. I listened to podcasts like Acquired, which breaks down how iconic brands like Nike and LVMH have evolved over time. I was especially inspired by the way Hermes focuses on craftsmanship, quality, and creating a truly luxurious experience. That’s what I want for Verve—not to be Hermes, but to emulate that level of care and intentionality.

Beyond research, I also had to consider the practical aspects. What’s our audience’s experience when they interact with us? How do we stand out in an industry where so many wedding brands can feel, well, the same? These were the kinds of questions I brought to the designer, and they really shaped the direction we took.

It wasn’t just about creating a logo or choosing colors—it was about defining who we are, what we stand for, and what we want to be known for. That’s why this process wasn’t just about design—it was about self-reflection and clarity. And I did a lot of it!

The Design Process

After all the research and reflection of truly thinking about what the brand would mean, now it’s time to talk about the part of the process where the vision starts to take shape: the design process. This was one of the most exciting—and honestly nerve-wracking—phases of the rebrand. It’s where all the reflection, research, and ideas I’d been holding onto finally started to come to life.

After our initial discovery call, the designer asked me to share a few things to help her get started. This included some of my favorite photos from our portfolio and a list of words that I felt described Verve. For me, it was all about white-glove service, attention to detail, and that element of surprise and delight. I wanted the new brand to feel luxurious, personal, and joyful—like a celebration in itself.

When the designer came back with the first round of concepts, she presented three mood boards, each with a unique color palette and aesthetic. Let me tell you—it was such a surreal moment seeing these ideas laid out. Each one had its own personality, and it was amazing to see how she translated my vision into something tangible.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the options she presented:

Option 1 was serene and calming, with lavender and green tones. It felt elegant and peaceful—not a far departure from where we were, but not quite what I wanted for the future.

Option 2 leaned into a more whimsical, wedding-like vibe with soft blues, peaches, and blush tones. It was beautiful, but it felt a bit too expected.

Option 3—the one we ultimately chose—was bold, vibrant, and unique. It featured light blue, green, and a pop of marigold. This combination felt unexpected but still cohesive with our portfolio and ethos. It had that “wow” factor I was looking for.

What’s funny is that when I shared these options with our audience, most people gravitated toward the more traditional “wedding feeling” palettes. And honestly, I loved that they didn’t pick the one we chose because I wanted something different. I wanted Verve to stand out, not just blend into the crowd.

I didn’t know it at the time but that was our designer’s favorite option too!

From there, the designer took the mood board we selected and refined it further. She created a full brand suite, complete with fonts, logos, and even custom illustrations that captured the heart of what Verve is all about. And when I saw the final result, I knew it was exactly what we needed. It felt fresh, cohesive, and most importantly, true to who we are.

But of course, deciding on the design is just one step. The real challenge was figuring out how to roll it all out. Should we start with the website? Update our collateral first? How do we integrate these beautiful illustrations into everything we do? I’ll tell you this much—it’s a lot more complicated than just swapping out some colors.

Implementing the Rebrand

Now that we had the design finalized, you’d think the hard part was over, right? I mean, we had this beautiful new brand ready to go—it should’ve been smooth sailing from there. But let me tell you, implementation was an entirely different beast.

The first challenge was deciding where to start. We had a brand-new logo, color palette, fonts, and these stunning illustrations, but how do you bring all of that into an existing business? There were so many moving pieces—our website, our template shop, the podcast, social media, client collateral—it felt like every corner of Verve needed a refresh.

And that’s the thing about rebranding: it’s not just cosmetic. It’s a full-scale transformation. I knew just swapping out colors on the website wouldn’t do the new brand justice. It deserved more than a quick fix. So, we decided to approach it in phases.

Phase 1 was the foundational update: rolling out the new brand assets across key touchpoints. This meant updating our logo, color scheme, and fonts wherever we could—templates, social media profiles, and even the small details like our email signatures.

Phase 2 is where we’re really bringing the brand to life. We’re planning a professional photoshoot to create new imagery for the website, which the designer will also help us rebuild from the ground up. It’s a big investment, but I truly believe it’s worth it to have a site that reflects everything the new brand stands for.

Because here’s the thing—rebranding isn’t a “one and done” project. There were sooooo many unexpected tasks along the way. For example, we had to update every product in our template shop, redo the podcast’s branding, and revise all of our client-facing materials. Even now, months after the brand was finished, we’re still finding things that need to be updated.

Let me just repeat that to give you an idea of timeline. I reached out about the rebrand in June, we started in September and finished in October, and we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to launch it now in January.

One of the biggest lessons I learned? Delegate. If you’re taking on a rebrand, make sure you have a team—or at least some extra hands—to help. Even with an amazing team supporting me, I spent over 30 hours updating our website alone. Without their help, I probably would’ve cried, no exaggeration. It’s a lot of work, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you try to do it all yourself.

Another challenge was balancing the excitement of the rebrand with the reality of our timeline. Once the new brand was ready, I was so eager to share it with the world. But at the same time, I knew we couldn’t rush the rollout or wait for everything to be “perfect” and done before I shared it with you! 

Advice if you're considering a rebrand

If you’re a creative, a business owner, or even just thinking about refreshing your brand, this next part is for you. Rebranding is a big, exciting process, but it’s also a major commitment. So, I want to share some tips and lessons I’ve learned along the way to help make the process smoother for you.

The first piece of advice? Start early and plan for extra time.

Rebranding takes longer than you think, even when you’ve got a clear vision. From finding the right designer to going through multiple rounds of revisions, to actually rolling it out, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. I started this process in June, and we’re still working on implementing everything. So, give yourself plenty of time—and then some.

Tip number two? Is to do your research.

Before you even reach out to a designer, spend time reflecting on your business. Ask yourself: What do you want your brand to communicate? How do you want people to feel when they interact with you? And what makes you different from others in your industry? For me, this process involved listening to podcasts, reading about brand strategy, and doing some serious self-reflection. The more clarity you have going in, the smoother the process will be.

Next, think about where you are in your business journey.

If you’re just starting out, you might not want—or need—to invest in a major rebrand. The first brand we had was professionally designed, but it wasn’t the same level of investment as this one. And that was fine for where we were at the time. Now that we’ve grown, it made sense to take things to the next level. So, don’t rush into a big rebrand if you’re still figuring out who you are as a business. It’s okay to take it step by step.

Then tip number four: Make a list—and keep updating it.

Rebranding affects so many parts of your business, and it’s easy to forget something. We started with a list of all the things that needed to be updated, from the website to email templates to collateral. But even now, I’ll come across something—an old landing page or a freebie—and realize, “Oh, this still needs to be updated.” Keep adding to your list as you go.

And finally, delegate and ask for help.

I mentioned this already but rebranding is not a one-person job. Even with an incredible designer and a supportive team, there were moments when I felt overwhelmed. If you try to do everything yourself, you’ll burn out—trust me. Whether it’s hiring a designer, bringing in a web developer, or asking your team to help with implementation, don’t be afraid to share the load.

At the end of the day, a rebrand is an investment in your future. It’s a chance to reflect on how far you’ve come and set the stage for where you’re headed. It’s not easy, and it’s not always quick, but when it’s done right, it’s so worth it.

WRAP UP 

Wow, what a journey this has been! From the initial decision to rebrand, to the research, design process, and implementation, it’s been a wild ride. I hope today’s episode gave you a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to rebrand—not just the practical steps but the thought, care, and reflection that go into making a brand feel authentic and cohesive.

For me, this rebrand wasn’t just about updating colors or logos. It was about creating something that truly reflects who we are and the experience we want to deliver. Whether you’re tuning in to the podcast, browsing the template shop, or working with us directly, I want you to feel that sense of connection, care, and thoughtfulness that defines Verve.

And this is just the beginning. Like I said already, we still have so much more planned—our upcoming photoshoot, a brand-new website, and other exciting updates that I can’t wait to share with you. It’s all part of the journey, and I’m so grateful to have you along for the ride.

If you’re considering a rebrand of your own, I hope today’s tips and insights were helpful. Remember, it’s a process that takes time, patience, and teamwork, but it’s absolutely worth it when you see the final result. And if you’re not sure where to start, feel free to reach out—I’d love to support you in any way I can.

As always, thank you so much for listening and for being part of this incredible community. Your support means the world to me, and I’m so excited for what’s ahead.