Joanne is an optimist with creative flair and a passion for helping others, who loves (is obsessed!) with cats, and is constantly battling with a serious case of wanderlust.

Joanne is insanely organised!  If you visit her office you will see a spotless desk and her computer with only 2 folders on the desktop.  Some might say she is a little OCD (shout out to her hubby!), but she feels like her ‘superhero power’ really helps to run her business well and keeps things organised for her clients, assisting them to stay on track.

Read on to learn more about Joanne and her business Joanne Tapodi Creative.

What is your business elevator pitch?

Every business has a story, a distinctive personality that sets it apart – my purpose is to help my clients share that story in an authentic way using my skills to create a brand identity that they love, and that works for them and their business.  I have been a graphic designer for over 12 years now and am passionate about helping start-ups and small business owners create a brand identity that is not only designed to a high standard but is honest, engaging and will attract their perfect customer/client.  This includes designing logo’s, websites and creating promo material that maintains their brand guidelines, vision and values to keep things consistent.  I also offer website training and brand consultations.

What is your WHY for being in business?

Put simply… to help others on their pathway to success with the experience that I have, to educate and to connect.  So many people don’t realise the value of good branding and what it can do for their business.  Your brand is usually your first impression as a business and if it’s not communicating effectively to your target audience it could negatively impact your business and its growth potential.  If you haven’t already guessed, I am pretty passionate about what I do and I am passionate about seeing others succeed and spreading the word about how good branding can elevate your business.

What is something business owners probably don’t know about your business, that they probably should know?

A lot of people think that branding is just a logo.  Branding is more than just a logo, branding is the bigger picture, branding is your business core values, message, content, style, elements and products/services.  A brand identity is the visual representation of your brand, it is what we see and what we feel, it evokes an emotional response and recognition.  A brand identity includes… colour palette, patterns, typography, shapes, logos and other graphical elements.

Share a unique business challenge you have experienced, and how you overcame this?

Taking the proper leap into full-time work with my own client projects.  Technically, I was already working for myself but contracting at other graphic design agencies, as well as doing work for my own clients.  I decided I wanted to stop contracting altogether and try only working for my clients because that is where my passion truly was and I loved the direct connection with the client and their journey, I didn’t get this from working in an agency environment.  Just when I had made up my mind about taking that direction one of the places I contracted for offered me a permanent job role, with a really attractive salary, as well as only working 4 days a week so I could maintain my own client work.  They were super accommodating, and I did enjoy working there, but ultimately it wasn’t where my heart wanted to go.  So, after much thought and procrastination… I turned it down, but I was super tempted.  If I have learnt anything it is that you have to follow your gut, and don’t let fear hold you back!

What’s the strangest thing you have ever done as an entrepreneur?

Hmmm, talking design concepts through with my cat Milo, haha, crazy cat lady here!  Because I work on my own at home I spend a lot of time isolated from the ‘outside world’, unless I have a meeting.  This means that on a day that I have no meetings, majority of conversations happen with my cat, don’t judge me!

What’s got you “edge-of-your-seat” excited in your biz right now?

I was recently selected for my business story to be featured on the new Squarespace Circle website ‘Members Stories’ page.  I solely design websites using the Squarespace platform and am also one of very few authorised trainers within Perth.  I believe I will be the first trainer selected from Perth, and my story will be out there to a global audience.  I guess technically, if your story appears on the internet the audience is global but this is a bit different because Squarespace is based in New York and majority of the Circle members and trainers are from America and Europe.  I am pretty excited to be featured as a “successful trainer” and an “exemplary and inspiring member of the Circle community”.

What is your favourite biz resource at the moment?

Can I be super corny and say my husband 🙂  He is my number one fan and is always so supportive, always listening to me, encouraging me and never gets bored of my ‘business talk’.  Having a partner in life that really embraces what I do and see’s the meaning in it, and the passion that I have, that supports me 100% is just the best thing.  In the past I haven’t had that from other people in my life and it really makes all the difference to how you manage with those tough times in business.

I also really love being part of the Fusion Membership, the connection there is so valuable, it’s great to be surrounded by like-minded people that also encourage you with your journey and educate you as well!

So, I guess my favourite resources are human ones 🙂

Learn more about Joanne 👇

Website: www.joannetapodicreative.com.au

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Instagram: @joannetapodicreative

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