"Branding" is not a term I really considered when I started my business, Momma's Boy Cookies. I wasn't familiar with business terminology and I wasn't necessarily aware of what I was doing as I was doing it. However, there was extensive thought that went into the branding of my company when I was creating it. To be honest, I am still creating it and it is continuing to evolve. My brand identity and cohesiveness will grow stronger as I continue to learn more through trial and error and through these classes.
When I decided I wanted to start a cookie business, a lot of my motivation came from my relationship with my mom and my childhood. Every Christmas she would make these coconut oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies from a recipe that had been passed down through five generations. These cookies defined our family holidays. Even if everything else seemed to be going wrong, we would all come together on Christmas and Mom would make those cookies. This tradition has been something I wanted to carry on and share with people. And I wanted that warm, home feeling to carry over into my brand. I actually brainstormed ideas with my mom so that there would be real authenticity in my business. We went through several different names before deciding on "Momma's Boy Cookies". I almost chose "Fifth Generation Cookies" but I felt it didn't have the real "down home" feel that I was looking for. Deciding on this business name was what set everything else into motion.
While I didn't know branding was what I was doing, I was carefully deciding on a logo that matched my name and a color scheme to go with it. I wanted a cartoonish-like image of myself holding a cookie. I gave the idea to my friend who is a digital arts designer and he was able to come up with an awesome image for the logo. It was friendly, inviting, a touch of humor and it was exactly what I wanted. Next, came the colors. My logo (which actually has 17 different shades in it and has been a nightmare for many printing jobs) the colors are essentially just red, white, and tan. The font color is red which stands out nicely against the tan and white. Why I chose these colors was originally based on the colors of my mom and I's favorite football team. I felt if I kept the connection close to home that it would lead me and my company to success.
The last few parts of my branding came down to the packaging (which is still a work in progress) and the tag line. I use the line "Just like Momma makes em." and "Made with Love." because I really do hold true to my roots of where these cookies came from. I dedicate endless hours into baking these cookies everyday to share with people all over San Diego and eventually around the country. I want that energy to show in my product. As for now, my cookies are all sold in brown craft bags with a clear front to see the cookies. I like the idea of having the cookies in these bags because it has an "at home" feel. Like when you were a kid and your mom would pack your lunch in a brown paper bag for school. This packaging may change slightly over time, but I always want it to remain true to my original brand.
Overall, I feel I've done a great job with my branding. Going into it, I didn't conduct any research to determine whether my ideas were good or not. However, over the last 11 months that I have been selling cookies, my ideas have proven to work well. When customers hear my story or see my business name they are always eager to try the cookies. Based on feedback I've received, they love the name and they love the taste. These cookies aren't any crazy specialty cookies. They are just real cookies, made with real ingredients, and hand scooped and baked for a simple, delicious cookie.
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