Branding That Works: A Practical Workshop for Start-Ups & Small Businesses

Location: Online.

Your brand is more than a logo – it’s what people think, feel, and say about your business. In a world where customers are overwhelmed with choices, a strong, consistent brand helps you stand out, build trust, and grow with confidence.

This interactive Lunch & Learn workshop is designed specifically for start-ups and small business owners who want to create a brand that actually works in the real world – not just looks good on paper.

Led by JD Bradshaw , Founder of rs&mg , this session breaks down branding into clear, practical steps you can apply immediately to your business – no jargon, no fluff.

What You’ll Learn

What a brand really is – and why it matters more than ever for small businesses

The first three things you should do before designing a logo

How to clearly define your target audience and buyer personas

How to position your business against competitors

The role of mission, vision, and values in building long-term brand trust

The key visual and non-visual components of a strong brand

The top 5 branding mistakes small businesses make – and how to avoid them

How consistency builds credibility across websites, social media, and customer experiences

Who This Workshop Is For

Start-ups and early-stage entrepreneurs

Small business owners looking to refine or refresh their brand

Business owners who feel their branding isn’t attracting the right customers

Anyone who created a logo first – and now isn’t sure what to do next

What You’ll Walk Away With

A clearer understanding of who your brand is for

A stronger foundation for future marketing and design decisions

Practical insights you can use immediately – whether you DIY or work with an agency

Confidence in how your business shows up across every customer touchpoint

This workshop is ideal for business owners who want to stop guessing, avoid costly branding mistakes, and build a brand that supports long-term growth.

About the presenter:

JD Bradshaw is a Creative Director and Business Development leader with more than 35 years of experience. He has worked with international, national, and boutique agencies and has partnered with top global brands to create and deliver award winning omni-channel communications campaigns. For 17 of those years, JD ran his own branding, creative, and advertising consultancy, building businesses and brands from the ground up. Seven years ago, in addition to running his agency, he returned to school to earn his Master of Design degree to deepen his strategic foundation, and three years ago he became a Professor teaching branding, advertising, and marketing.

Today, he is the Founder and operator of rs&mg, a boutique agency specializing in branding and creative content to help start-ups and small businesses differentiate themselves in the marketplace and strategically position their business for sustainable success.

Registration is required. A virtual webinar link will be sent to registrants upon registration.

The workshop will begin promptly at 12 pm. If you are unable to attend, please cancel your registration via email or call 905-540-6400.