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Their business
Motto is a branding and interactive design firm that helps established and entrepreneurial companies launch, reinvent, and manage their brands. It was founded in 2003 by entrepreneurs Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger.
The firm's work is focused on business storytelling, brand positioning and strategy, brand identity and creative execution.
"Clients hire us for our point of view. We develop profound core ideas that communicate the soul of a brand," Bonnell said.
Before starting Motto, Bonnell (Creative Director) and Hansberger (Chief Strategist) worked independently as multi-disciplinary freelance designers. Bonnell had been influenced by her father who is a successful entrepreneur. Today, the women work out of a 2,500 square foot redesigned warehouse space in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and have clients internationally.
Bonnell, 32, of Myrtle Beach, graduated with a bachelor of arts in visual communication from Savannah College of Art & Design thanks to an art scholarship. She is pursuing her master’s in graphic design at Savannah College of Art and Design.
Hansberger, 27, of St. Charles, Illinois attended Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina at 17 to study English. She later enrolled into the online English department at the University of Illinois where she studied creative and technical writing, and began planning for a career in copywriting. At 22, she became the co-founder of Motto.
Their 'aha moment' or inspiration
In 2007, Bonnell and Hansberger were among eight winners of the Make Mine a Million $ Business Award in Atlanta, Georgia. Inspiration struck in a big way during the six-hour road trip home. That's when it all became very clear: work felt empty. While winning the award marked a huge accomplishment for Motto, they admit that something was still missing.
"This realization sparked a discussion," Hansberger said. "What was our motto? What did we want to be known for?"
By the last leg of the road trip, Bonnell and Hansberger made a commitment that their success would hinge on creating work that changes lives. Their philosophy centered on living from the core and helping their clients do the same. The partners immediately took action by redesigning their website and by creating a branding blog entirely focused on living life from the core.
Their biggest obstacle and how they overcame it
We started the business with $200 and have bootstrapped our way up. We often wondered where our next paycheck was coming from. Not having capital is quite a burden. You can’t hire, you can’t pay yourself, you can barely eat, and it makes you question if having heart is enough to keep you going. But, we overcame it by hanging in there. We refused to give up and that alone gives you the kind of strength to conquer.
How Count Me In helped them succeed
"Being part of this organization over the last 2 years has challenged us in every facet of our business. We see Count Me In as a huge asset. The community they have created is second to none when it comes to providing resources, expert advice and entrepreneurial support," Bonnell said.
"Count Me In has inspired us to advocate for women in business and support the thousands of talented women entrepreneurs in America who are growing million $ businesses," Hansberger said. "It is so important to have a sense of community that supports you as you create your own professional destiny."
Count Me In has also hired us many times giving us exposure and creating awareness. Motto has been a design partner in the development of the RACE, crafting the visual look and feel of their collateral materials and the Are You In? promotional video.
How they find work life balance
Balancing work/life is one of the most challenging things about running a business. There seems to always be one last email to respond to, one more client meeting, one more Twitter or Facebook status to update, one more bill to pay, one more deadline to meet, one more project to address. That is the reality of business, and it can really drain you if you let it take control. The most important lesson that we have learned about balancing work/life is that you have to maintain control of it all and keep moving forward. Having attainable goals and keeping organized helps tremendously. We love what we do and we have a good time doing it.
Their three tips for future entrepreneurs
1. Live from your core. Core is all about power. It’s knowing who you are and what you stand for, and telling people about it without deception or apology.
2. Branding is everything. Make design and positioning the heart of your business, reflecting your purpose, mission and values at every touch point.
3. Have a motto. A strong motto embodies what the organization is best known for, and calls by name the reason why they exist and why people should want to make them part of their lives.
Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE is a yearlong business growth marathon aiming to help businesses reach the benchmark of their choice—$250,000, $500,000 or $1 million in revenues. The RACE is sponsored by Count Me In, the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources, business education and community support for women seeking to grow micro businesses to million-dollar enterprises. Learn more about Count Me In and how its Make Mine a Milliion $ Business RACE. Plus, read RACE founder Nell Merlino's blog.
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