I Think I Love Branding - Founder's Thoughts

Hello everyone, and welcome back to Founder’s Thoughts—a weekly, bi-weekly, or let’s-be-honest, whenever-I-feel-like-it series where I talk marketing, branding, business, and whatever else I’ve been chewing on lately.

These thoughts usually get written while I’m 37,000 feet in the air, pacing through an airport, or mid-walk talking into my phone like a madman. Why? Because that’s where real conversations and ideas happen. And recently, I had one of those moments… where I realised something important:

I think I love branding.

Now, if you told me that six months ago, I probably would’ve laughed. Back then, branding for me meant logos and fonts. That’s it. Not even colours (I know, tragic). But then something changed - and it came from a brilliant event hosted by Sam Grigg, the guy behind Burst Branding and someone who’s reshaped how I see the entire world of branding.

The Event That Changed Everything

This wasn’t just another marketing event with a boring PowerPoint. Sam absolutely delivered. His slides were clean. His message was punchy. And more than anything - his approach made me realise that branding isn’t just the visuals. It’s everything.

I sat there scribbling notes furiously, soaking up every word. Suddenly I wasn’t just thinking about logos - I was thinking about the way people feel when they interact with a business. Whether it’s an Instagram post, a product label, or the tone of voice in a caption - it’s all branding.

This was also one of my first proper in-person marketing events, and trust me when I say it won’t be my last. It’s made me rethink how we run things at Atlas MKT, and even inspired me to plan community-based, in-person events of our own. There’s so much value to be had in real connection, and branding plays a massive role in that.

My 3 Biggest Branding Takeaways

Alright, let’s get into the good stuff - the key things that hit me like a brick during Sam’s talk and stuck with me ever since.

1. Branding Starts Sooner Than You Think

Branding doesn’t begin with your logo. It doesn’t start on your website either. It starts the very first time someone interacts with your business. That could be a client’s first email, a DM, someone bumping into your team at a café. If the interaction isn’t consistent with what you say you’re about - you’re planting the wrong seed. If a team member shows up looking disorganised to a client meeting, that’s branding. If someone calls your number and gets an awkward voicemail, that’s branding. Every moment is a first impression, and people build their perception of your business before they even hit your website. It’s not just about how you show up online - it’s how you show up everywhere.

2. Consistency Isn’t Optional

This one punched me in the gut a little.

I looked back at our own stuff - Instagram posts, the website, our client proposals - and realised everything had a different tone. One format here, another colour scheme there. And that’s the thing: inconsistency creates confusion. And if I am being honest with you, with everything we are doing for our clients at the moment, that hasn't changed! But, it's definitely something as a company we continue to plan & strategise over until we go live with our new and updated socials (coming soon 😉)

Your branding should follow a golden thread. The tone, visuals, colours, typefaces - everything should feel like it’s coming from the same person, the same company, the same mission. The best brands in the world? They feel cohesive. You instantly know who they are.

After the event, we did a full internal audit of our brand assets and realigned everything—proposals, pitch decks, web design, the works. Not for the sake of looking pretty, but because clarity and professionalism starts with branding.

3. Think Outside the Box (And Then Kick the Box Over)

The biggest branding wins come from creative thinking - not templates. I know we all love Canva, but real brand equity is built through originality.

Think about Coca-Cola’s personalised bottle campaign. It wasn’t a new logo. It wasn’t a “better” red. It was a human connection. They printed your name on the bottle, made it feel like it was made for you, and created a viral wave without needing to shout.

That’s the kind of brand thinking that sticks. It’s emotional, it’s fun, and it’s fresh.

Branding isn’t a box you tick once and forget. It’s something you evolve with, something you experiment with, and something that, when done right, makes everything else in your business easier.

Final Thoughts (Because You Know I Always Have Them)

I’ll be honest - branding used to be the thing I thought you slapped on at the end of a marketing strategy.

Now? I know it’s the thing that starts everything else.

When your branding is clear, strong, and consistent:

• Your marketing gets easier.

• Your audience trusts you faster.

• Your sales funnel converts better.

And more importantly - you feel confident showing up online, because everything finally matches your vision.

I’ve been working with Sam and the Burst Branding team behind the scenes recently, helping overhaul not just his branding, but for a few of his clients too. And I can say this with absolute certainty: get your branding right, and everything flows smoother.

If you’re in that messy middle - posting inconsistent content, trying to scale without a clear identity, or just winging it with visuals that don’t match your offer - sort your brand out. Seriously.

Your audience can feel when something’s off. But they can also feel when it’s on.

Thanks for reading this edition of Founder’s Thoughts. If you made it this far, first of all, you’re a legend. Second, if you’re struggling to figure out how to get your branding to match the quality of your work - you know where to find us.

And one last thing: big shoutout to Burst Branding. Sam and the team are the real deal 💪

– Thomas Walker

Founder, Atlas MKT