AI vs Branding 101

AI is really, really… killing it. Not in a good way. Small business owners are leaning heavily on AI to help them kick-start their brands and I completely understand that people feel like they have this endlessly accessible help at any given time. However, is it really HELPING you?

Now this isn’t a discussion to discuss whether or not AI sucks or not. It has its place. I have enjoyed using it to create mockup scenarios for myself where I would have had to wait on samples, schedule a photoshoot, drive somewhere, meet people, set up, spend money… Now I can do my own designs and make announcements and share much faster, prompting with exactly how I’d set up my shoot, bringing that image into Photoshop and applying my own work with the skills I have.

“But I thought this was about branding?”

It is.

But, I am leading with context as to not mislead.

I entered college in 2004. After school, I went into corporate. in 2025 I officially started my own business. I have not needed AI. I have gained an immense amount of skills in so many areas of design, marketing and art. I will continue to use my skills. But, we were told to embrace AI, so, it’s a tool. Not an end-all-be-all. You’ll see I don’t use it for my blogging either!

Anyway, this post is about Branding. If you reach out to me, you’re getting real-human focus, attentiveness, someone to listen to you and how you started, where you are and where you’re going. You’re getting something unique that doesn’t look like everything else in all of your Facebook groups. You’re getting something real, thoughtful, identifiable – you’re getting value.

If you choose AI to be YOUR end-all-be-all instead of maybe pinging it for comps, mocks and ideas, you’re already shortchanging yourself, and unfortunately, losing.

If budget is an issue, I offer mini brand guides, which include logos and logo variations, fonts and just your basics to get you started.

Let’s talk about how I can help you, today! Email me frenchpress.lisa@gmail.com