Letterpress, embossing, die cut, foil stamped—any of these sound familiar? You've probably heard of some of these specialty print methods before. I began my design career in the wedding industry, mainly because gorgeously fancy stationery is one of my most favorite things. However, when I shifted my focus to branding that's when I realized just how special it could be.

I know what you're thinking. Yes, these methods can be a bit pricey. But much like a quality logo and brand identity, these techniques do more than get you noticed. The magic of specialty print methods is that they make very powerful statements about your brand, without even showing your product or mentioning your service. So let's do a bit of digging into what makes specialty print methods so special.

Now that you've started your creative business, I'm sure you can't wait to share your magic with the world. The problem is that as a business owner, there are so many other responsibilities that now fall on your shoulders. Let's be honest, at first you'll be wearing all of the hats. As a result, it can be hard to find enough time to devote to the actual work you want your business to be known for.

What can you do to fight back? Save time wherever you possibly can. Hustle smarter—yes this means saying “no” a lot more so you can say “heck yes” to what's truly important. Another way to hustle smarter is to implement systems. There are tons of apps out there that can help your workflow work better. Use these systems to save time and make sure the facets of your business play nice with one another.

Saving on Systems

I know what you're thinking.

Melissa, I don't have the money to invest in fancy apps right now. I'm just getting started!

Believe me, I hear you. Being relatively new to business ownership myself, I've done a ton of research to find the best bang for my buck. What I've found is that many great apps are scalable for your business, meaning you can start using them with very little investment (or even for free!). Once your business and your needs grow, you can scale your subscriptions up too.

I started my business a little over a month ago. Before that, I'd always worked for someone else—always been an employee. First of all, there's nothing wrong with that. My family has always been successful and happy working for companies, so I never really considered starting my own business until about a year ago.

Whether you're starting something brand new or putting a fresh spin on an existing company, there are many considerations that go along with naming a creative business. While a name is only one facet of your brand, the right name can go a long way in helping you stand out and attract the right type of clients.

I know that with all of the pressure and expectations of this name needing to be just right, it's hard to know where to begin. Don't worry, I'm here for you! This guide will walk you through the process of finding that new name with a free workbook to walk you through the process step-by-step!

Remember a couple years ago when brightly colored pants were coming back into style? I sure do. I'd see a girl walking down the street rocking those fuchsia skinnies and think, “Dang, I wish I could pull those off.” Even if fluorescent pants or bright red lipstick weren't your thing (yep, I've been there too), we've all been in this position.

So many of us waste our lives in the shadows—wallflowers swooning over what someone else is doing. We can't help putting them on a pedestal and thinking, “If only I could pull that off...” If only you could wear those pants or that lipstick. If only you could quit your job, and finally do what you love. If only...

How do you take potential clients and transform them into loyal customers? Better yet, how do you foster trust and create brand ambassadors? The key is to set your brand apart from the sea of other people doing what you do, and these 2 factors will help you do just that.

You've hustled hard get where you are, to create an amazing product or service that fuels your passion and improves the lives of others. Looking ahead, you're wondering what's next.

How can you take your brand to the next level? These 5 strategic investments will help you elevate your business and build an unforgettable brand experience.

I've got some amazing news!

After a TON of planning and consideration, I've left my creative director role to go out on my own. This week I'm officially taking Melissa Yeager Designs full-time! I couldn't be more thrilled to finally share this news with you, and I'm so excited about this next chapter!

Happy 2016!

Just like that, another year has passed. A new year is here—full of shiny possibilities and magic waiting to be uncovered. To help you make even more magic this year, I'm sharing these 6 mantras to help you transform your brand in 2016. Join me, and let's make 2016 our best year yet!