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When you’re just starting your business, it’s easy to feel like everything needs to be perfect from day one, especially when it comes to branding. You want to make a great first impression, and it feels like having a polished, custom brand is part of that.

But here’s the thing: most of us start with a tiny budget that doesn’t leave much room to hire an experienced designer.

When I started my business, money was tight. Every penny counted. I know how overwhelming it can be when you see all those social media posts telling you that you need everything—coaches, copywriters, web designers—just to get started. It feels like everyone’s telling you to spend money you don’t have on things you’re not even sure you need yet.

Here’s what I’ve learned: those successful business owners you see? They didn’t start with everything. Most of them began with what they could afford and built up from there. It’s a process, and it takes time.

So if you’re a new business owner on a tight budget, it’s okay to start simple. That might mean using tools like Canva for your logo, and that’s totally fine.

So, what comes first?

Finding paying clients comes first.

In those early days, your main focus should ideally be on finding paying clients, not perfecting your brand or website.

When you’re just starting out, you’re still figuring out a lot about your business. Who is your ideal client? Do you want to specialize in something? Often, these things become clear only after you’ve worked with clients for a while. You might think you know your niche (if you want to niche down), only to discover a new direction after working with a few clients. That’s normal and part of the learning process.

Investing heavily in branding before you’ve nailed down these fundamentals might not be the best use of your resources cause you might end up needing a rebrand if you change your mind or direction, and then you’d have wasted your money.

The Stuff To Try Out Before Hiring a Designer

Get clear on what you want your business to be. Try different things. See what works, what you’re good at, what you enjoy, what types of services people actually want from you.

When you’re ready to work with a designer, having this clarity will be valuable. You’ll be able to communicate exactly what you need, which can save time and money in the long run.

Work with What You’ve Got

If Canva’s what fits your budget, then that’s your tool. It’s popular for a reason – it’s accessible and can help you create a professional-looking brand on a budget.

As you grow and learn, you can invest in custom branding. But your branding in the beginning doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to be good enough to get you started.

Remember, every successful business started somewhere—with whatever they had at the time. So don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re doing it wrong because you’re working with what you have.

As you grow and learn, you’ll have the chance to refine and invest in your brand. For now, focus on what matters: getting started and finding your footing.

And if you need guidance check out the blog post: Branding 101: How to Look More Legit as a New-ish Entrepreneur or download my freebie, The Brand Confidence Guide.

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