Branding Mistakes We Made (So You Don’t Have To)
A behind-the-scenes chat from the Cosy Fox studio.
Let’s take a little walk down memory lane.
We still smile (sometimes wince) when we look back at our earliest Cosy Fox branding projects. Not because they were flawless (they absolutely weren’t!) but because they taught us the kind of things you don’t learn from courses or client templates. The kind you learn from confused emails, late-night Canva file name chaos, and accidental scope creep.
Are you a new designer? A small studio? Or a creative business owner just starting out? If so, this one’s for you.
Here are the biggest branding mistakes we made in the early days and what we do differently now.
Mistake 1: No Clear Project Structure
We were so excited to book our first clients. But we didn’t really have a process. We just... started. We figured we’d feel our way through it. Turns out? That just leads to delays, confusion, and a lot of second-guessing.
What we do now:
A clear timeline with checkpoints, sign-offs, and expectations
A beautifully branded welcome kit (yes, it’s a template!)
Built-in revision boundaries so feedback stays manageable
Room for delight and direction
Structure doesn’t squash creativity. It supports it.
Mistake 2: Undercharging (and Feeling It)
Let’s be honest: we were scared. Scared to charge real money. Scared to turn people away. Scared of not being “worth it.”
So we said yes to low rates. Told ourselves we’d raise our prices later. “Just this once,” we said. (It wasn’t just once.)
What we do now:
Price for value, not hours
Offer clear packages with purposeful boundaries
Leave space for energy, creativity, and time between projects
If you’re afraid to raise your prices, we totally get it. But your dream clients aren’t just willing to pay... they expect to.
Mistake 3: Trying to Offer Everything
In our first year, we did full brand identities, quick logo-only packages, Instagram templates, social strategy, blog copy... sometimes all in the same week.
We thought flexibility = helpfulness. But really, it watered down our work and burned us out.
What we do now:
Focus on what lights us up (branding, design, and the cosy strategy behind it)
Say no to anything outside our zone of genius
Offer curated, intentional services, not “yes to everything” menus
Less actually means more impact, more clarity, and better results.
Mistake 4: Not Asking the Right Questions
We used to rely solely on design skills. We assumed the client would explain what they needed. We jumped straight into visuals without fully understanding the brand.
The result? Pretty work that didn’t always work.
What we do now:
Deep discovery sessions with real conversation (and coffee)
Brand voice and tone prompts at the start
Dream client deep dives, values alignment, and storytelling
Branding isn’t just visual. It’s emotional, strategic, and felt. We design better when we ask better questions.
Mistake 5: Skipping the Celebration
We’d finish a project, send the files, and move on. No launch moment. No post-project reflection. No shout-outs. Just straight to the next thing.
And honestly? That stole a bit of the magic.
What we do now:
Celebrate launches on social
Share behind-the-scenes sneak peeks
Cheer our clients on (and encourage them to show off too)
Take a breath and say: “We made something really good.”
Pride in your work builds momentum. Don’t rush past it.
Mistakes = Magic
We’re not ashamed of those early missteps. They made us better designers, better collaborators, and better business owners.
So if you’re in your first year of creative business…
It’s okay if you’re learning on the job.
It’s okay to make it up as you go (for now).
It’s okay if your first welcome kit was a Google Doc called “Hi.pdf.”
You’re still building. And the beautiful part? Every mistake is just a lesson in disguise.
And if you ever want help finding your footing, you know where we are—templates ready, kettle on.
The Cosy Brand Builder Learning Checklist
If you’re building your creative business, here are the lessons we wish we’d known from day one:
Structure makes you feel safe, not stiff
Your pricing should reflect the value you bring (not just what feels safe)
Saying yes to everything = saying no to what matters most
Ask deep questions before you design anything
Celebrate your work—it builds confidence and momentum
Mistakes are not a detour. They are the path.
Need a nudge or a head start? You’ll find welcome kits, client questionnaires, and brand workbooks waiting in the Cosy Fox Shop. No pressure. Just support when you’re ready.
