Entrepreneur's Journal: Putting together a cool logo -- and building an enduring brand

One of the greatest entrepreneurs of all U.S. business history is known for his logo. The wreath with the script "L" for Lenox china. Founded by Walter Scott Lenox, John Coxon, William Hancock and John Rice in 1893. This is a business devoted to high end art china - note the date. 1893 is the 2nd (not by much) worst depression in U.S. history. It was founded as the Ceramic Arts Co. and by 1895 Walter manages to buy out the other partners and by 1905 re-organize as Lenox China, with a pile of money to do it.
This was a good financial trick - it took the U.S. economy until 1910 to fully recover.

The logo is NOT the brand. The logo is a representative of the brand. When you see the Disney logo, you feel something -- maybe happiness at memories of taking your kids to Disney World. Maybe you feel warm memories of the 50's and 60's and old movies like "Old Yeller" and "Swiss Family Robinson." You have an emotional connection based on your experience with the company and its products. When you see the Tide logo you think dependability, and there is a credibility there based on the fact that even your mom used Tide. Disney or Tide could use anything as the logo as long as it made you connect with the experience you've had with the company and its product. The logo is the least important part of brand building. Too many marketers say, "We need to build the brand let's do a new logo" and they forget to drive home, through all parts of the organization, the brand experience they want customers to have. You can spend millions on a logo and advertising only to have it wasted if a customer contacts the company and a receptionist is rude, or if the product doesn't work as you claim.

I would like to enter contest. I need a logo for my new company. I have limited funds for start-up and logo is very important. This is expected to be a large and successful undertaking that will reach people around the world. I want it on clothing, in yards, on windows, and on billboards. Need a great logo! My name is Jacqueline Sims jacquelinesims1@aol.com Thank you.

Without a logo - your just a name in the crowd. If pictures say a 1000 words, then you have recognition, and you logo is no longer a logo - "Your A Brand".

I am a jewelry designer, and I do a lot of art shows, and also want to create another website that is separate from my current business, a jewelry and crystal store. What I want from a logo is a sense of beauty, elegance, ecitement, but also a small bit of edginess that lets my clients know that I am not an amatuer at this profession. I want my logo to stimulate them visually so that they are already excited and curious even before they get to the main event, which is my jewelry. My logo should be really striking, and original so that it could never be mistaken for any one elses, because it will stand for originality, quality, and beauty the minute it catches the eye. It should represent my design style, and that of my customers.

A logo is an instant version, a summary of sorts that gives you "InstantInfo" about your business. A "Pavlovism-Trigger"...The lure for your customer... instant association..
With a company that is in the startbox, a logo that encompasses the goals of that company, either, or, gived instant association to the name ( i.e. "Target") is an ingenious way to make it "stick". A perfect logo is half the battle.

A logo is half the battle as is good product, preasonable price and dependability not necessarily in that order. You can spend millions on your product only to find noone even noticed you despite how good it is because you didn't have a eye catching logo. Doesn't have to be all fancy-just catching enough toget someone to look then-tada-your product is noticed, used, then appreciated !

your logo says it all........

My business focuses on Upscale Parties for Children, Teens and Adults. I need a logo that reflects all we offer from Event Planning, Lifestyle Planning for Families, Singles and Couples,we also offer Event Nanny Services for Weddings and Corporate Events. I want a logo that is appealing to Adults as well as Children.

We are a trophy/recognition company, we are currently getting ready to expand into franchising. Our biggest struggle is the logo considering that this is the one item that sets you appart from other companies. We are a small family owned business that is looking to expand into a nation wide franchise. We would like a logo that is unique and does not look like a mom and pop or small time store. We have been is business for 28 years.
We do awards, embroidery, screen printing & engraving. Please help give us a logo that will set us apart from the rest. Our name is US Recognition. Please e-mail me with any other questions. Thanks and have a wonderful day!

I've recently realized my dream of starting my own business - a Dog Bakery!

I'm a good baker -ask any dog! - and I take pride in my products. I like people and am building a solid client base - dogs in 19 states already love my treats!!! I'm a fair web page designer -- www.BestPuppyTreats.com -- but I am not artistic enough to design my own logo.

I would LOVE to have a GREAT logo to put on all of my stationery, packaging, marketing items, etc.

I'll keep doing the work to make my brand a must-have, but I need help to get the instantly recognizable logo that belongs on my products and evokes the pleasure and confidence they bring.

If you don't mind the risk of 'going to the dogs' please consider my business as a candidate for your sweepstakes.

Thank you so much!

Interestingly, I am finding more and more that a logo can be a true refelction of who you are and define your business. I didn't think much about a logo prior to starting my business 15 years ago,yet when I think about some of the big guys like Xerox, McDonald's, OfficeMax and other you realize that the logo can become an identity or in some cases a "verb".

I want a sweet logo for my new tshirt company to make it appealing to the youth. The reason for having a simple cool logo is so I can easily sell my product places and make a name for it.

- John Conklin

My name is Janice Barham, and I own an entertainment and special events company. We recently spun our weddings off and formed a "Weddings Division". Our company name is Fast Lane Entertainment, and our new weddings division is called - Your Dream Event. We are in need of a great logo to show the new direction that our company is going. We will use the logo in a variety of ways including stationary, web page, business cards, etc.

My company trains psychological professionals in a method of therapy that "Takes Psychology Into The Future". It is a needed alternative to current methods of training. When we moved from successful regional classes to distance learning, challenges reaching students became different. Students find us through a web presence. We are revamping our website toward that goal and we desperately need a strong visual image for our company. Thank you for considering my company.
North American Institute of NEURO-THERAPY
www.TherapyoftheFuture.com

I am starting a high-end domain business, but my names are so varied (in almost every possible genre), that I'm having trouble coming up with a logo that encompasses the image of elite & premium, but also broad-spectrum. I need help reining it in! Of course, I'd love to win the free logo contest as well. =)

When I win, I can be reached at vote4julie@hotmail.com

Thanks!
Julie L.

Tell me what you think of my logo:
www.npa-group.com

My core message is to let our jobs be FUN and PRODUCTIVE by consciously choosing positive values like caring, loyalty, and team success. Words - even powerful words - fade. I need a simple and memorable logo, the very sight of which brings people back to their emotional commitment to their own success. What the message delivers, the logo maintains. Gregory

LOGOS ARE SO EASILY COPIED - I WAS IN BANGKOK THAILAND AND ON THE STREET A MAN WAS SELLING SHIRTS- HE HAD ALL THE LOGOS LOOSE ON HIS TABLE - YOU JUST TOLD HIM WHICH ONE YOU WANTED -IZOD- NIKE - ??? -- AND HE WOULD NEATLY IRON IT ON THE SHIRTS. THE SHIRTS WERE NOT BAD - BUT THE LOGO STAYED ON AFTER WASHING. SO EASY!!

A business logo can make or break a business. It is extremely important to have a logo that is eye catching and relative to the business. I am a new business owner and need a logo that just "pops" yet will let people know that this is a pet magazine. Our mascot is my rotty, Lili, and she goes to any event that I attend. I am hoping to design a logo around her. editor@canineconnection.biz - Terri Hamrick