I had such a great conversation with RuthAnn Rafiq all about what it really looks like to rebrand your business, especially when things start to feel a little off but you’re not sure why. We talked about the common frustrations that come up (around Canva), why rebranding is about so much more than just picking new colors, and what needs to be in place before you dive into the process.
🔗 Websites & Resources Mentioned
1. RuthAnn’s Free Offer
👉 Free offer here; no code needed.
2. RuthAnn’s Podcast & Website
👉 rartspace.com/podcast
3. SEO Power-Up Plan
👉 Get it here.
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Rebranding is one of those things we don’t always see coming in our business journey. It can feel a little unexpected, like something is just “off,” but you can’t quite put your finger on it. That’s exactly what happened to me, and it’s what led me to RuthAnn, the guest on today’s episode and the creative behind the rebrand of my own business in 2023.
When I first started, I genuinely liked my brand. The colors, the layout, everything felt fine. But as time passed and I grew, something shifted. The brand that once felt like “me” just didn’t fit anymore. That disconnect led me to RuthAnn on Instagram, where her content immediately resonated. Her insights made me start rethinking how I wanted to present my business. Just like our routines shift with the seasons, our business evolves too, and sometimes, a rebrand is part of that growth.
When Something Feels Off, Rebranding Is An Option
RuthAnn shared that most of her clients come to her with that exact gut feeling… something is off. Often, they’ve been DIYing their branding, spending countless hours in Canva trying to make things look cohesive, only to end up frustrated and stuck. They want to raise their prices or attract a more aligned audience, but their visual brand just isn’t reflecting their expertise or premium-level service.
And let’s face it… Canva can be frustrating. That was definitely one of my triggers. I’d open up the app, try to design a post, and every time I’d end up reinventing the wheel. I didn’t have consistent colors or fonts, and the overall look of my Instagram felt disjointed. RuthAnn has heard this from many of her clients, it’s that constant feeling of starting from scratch and not having a solid visual identity to rely on.
That’s why one of the key pieces RuthAnn includes in her rebrand process is a brand style guide. This becomes your visual roadmap. It tells you exactly how to use your fonts, your colors, your elements, and it even loads those assets into your Canva account. So instead of spinning your wheels, you feel empowered to create marketing materials that actually look and feel like your brand.
What You Need Before You Rebrand
One important thing RuthAnn shared is that not everyone is ready for a rebrand. Her process works best for established business owners, specifically women, who already know what they offer, who they serve, and have a clear vision for how they want their brand to feel.
That resonated with me. If I’d tried to rebrand at the very beginning of my business, it would have been way harder. It was only after I had more clarity around my audience and offers that I could confidently move into a new brand identity.
Interestingly, when RuthAnn shared the color palette she envisioned for me, it wasn’t something I would have picked on my own. They were bold and high-energy, not the muted tones I was using before. But once I saw it, I realized… it was me. It just took someone from the outside, with that creative eye, to help me see it.
RuthAnn takes into account a lot when choosing brand colors… your personality, your industry, your audience, and how to help you stand out. She’ll often incorporate a client’s must-have color and then use her expertise to shape the palette around it. The end result is something that doesn’t just look good, it works.
Rebranding Is Not a Quick Fix
One of the biggest myths about rebranding is that it’s fast. According to RuthAnn, it’s definitely not a one-and-done overnight thing. Her full process typically takes three to four months, especially if you’re including a website. Add to that her usually booked-out calendar, and you’re looking at a longer-term commitment.
So if you’re considering a rebrand, you’ll want to be thoughtful about your timing. Are you ready to dedicate the time and energy to it? Are you ready to fully step into a new level of visibility?
This isn’t just about switching out colors, it’s about transforming how your business is perceived and how it functions as you grow.
Scaling with Confidence
One of the best times to consider a rebrand is when you’re scaling your business like adding a podcast, launching a membership, offering a new course. As your business branches out, you want a cohesive, scalable visual identity that supports all those pieces.
RuthAnn shared a great example from one of her clients who was trying to delegate design tasks to her team. Without a clear visual brand, she constantly had to field questions like, “What logo should I use?” or “Which colors go with this?” But once she had a proper brand guide, her team had the direction they needed and she had more freedom to lead.
It’s one of the most underappreciated benefits of rebranding… it gives you the ability to scale with consistency and clarity.
The Mindset Shift
We wrapped up our conversation talking about something that’s often overlooked… the mindset shift behind a rebrand. Rebranding isn’t just about a new look, it’s about stepping into a new version of yourself and your business. Especially for personal brands, it’s about owning your voice and stepping more fully into your role as a leader.
And sometimes, it’s about finally believing… I can do this. I can reach those big goals.
That sense of possibility and confidence is what RuthAnn hopes every client walks away with. Your brand should support your vision, not hold you back from it.
If you’re starting to think a rebrand might be in your future, or if you just want expert feedback on your current site, Ruthann is offering a free Site Success Audit to my audience (link above). She’ll review your homepage, about, and services pages, and give you clear, actionable feedback on what’s working and what could be improved.
And if you’re ready to go deeper, you can learn more about RuthAnn’s work over at rartspace.com or check out her podcast, Rebrand with RuthAnn. She shares tons of great insight and interviews with other business owners navigating similar seasons.
If you’re feeling the nudge that something in your brand isn’t quite right, maybe this is your sign that it’s time to explore what’s next.
