Fin & Co - Brand Case Study

Live Life, Love Hair.

“I thought I knew what I wanted, but Col helped me uncover what I needed. The initial meetings we had really challenged me. They made me think in an entirely new way about the salon.” - Pamela Laird

 

I need a website. Or do I?

Carnoustie based hair salon Fin & Co. thought they needed a website. They thought a website was the most important next step in growing their business. But, as soon as I met Pam Laird, the salon owner, it became apparent that a new website wasn’t the priority. What Fin & Co. needed was a brand that reflected their personality. A brand that could act as a driver for change. One that Pam, her team and her clients could get right behind.
 

I need a website. Or do I?

Carnoustie based hair salon Fin & Co. thought they needed a website. They thought a website was the most important next step in growing their business. But, as soon as I met Pam Laird, the salon owner, it became apparent that a new website wasn’t the priority. What Fin & Co. needed was a brand that reflected their personality. A brand that could act as a driver for change. One that Pam, her team and her clients could get right behind.
 
 

Fin & Co. Hair Salon

Fin & Co. has been a fixture on the High Street of Carnoustie since 2005. Led by Pam, they’ve grown consistently as a result of their hairdressing talents and their approach. They’ve built a loyal customer base in Carnoustie, and their reputation means clients travel from Dundee and Angus to experience what Fin and Co. have to offer.

Pam is ambitious and through branding and content marketing is looking to grow the business over the next few years including a training school for the next generation of hair stylists.

Fin & Co Hair Salon

Fin & Co. has been a fixture on the High Street of Carnoustie since 2005. Lead by Pam, they’ve grown consistently as a result of their hairdressing talents and their approach. They’ve built a loyal customer base in Carnoustie, and their reputation means clients travel from Dundee and Angus to experience what Fin and Co. have to offer.

Pam is ambitious and through branding and content marketing is looking to grow the business over the next few years including a training school for the next generation of hair stylists.

 

What's Branding?

Pam knew what a brand was, but she didn’t understand it. More fundamentally, Pam struggled to think of the business and herself as a brand.

I could tell just from our first meeting that Pam’s current branding didn’t reflect the bubbly person that was in front of me. Fin and Co. was missing something. It was missing Pam. Pam’s personality and the personality of the team, was nowhere to be seen.

As Pam and I worked our way through my ‘Client Discovery’ questionnaire - it was clear just how passionate she was about her business, her team and more importantly - her clients. During this stage, we talk about general design ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ in order to get a sense of what brand design will work.
 
 

The Brand In Action

 

Brand design is a collaborative process. As a designer, my job is to take all the knowledge I’ve gained from speaking to the client and applying the filter of my experience. In others words - I don’t give the client what they ask for, I give them what they need. In Pam’s case - she was clear. She didn’t like scissors or triangles, but she REALLY liked Flamingos!

The brand identity I designed was inspired by the negative space of an open pair of scissors. Which, as you can see, is naturally triangle shaped! Pam didn't dislike the concept, but I could tell it wasn't what she expected. We talked it through, and I explained my thought process. She got it immediately and loved the idea behind the design and the initial logo itself.

 
 

The colour palette was a combination that we discussed and I knew that Pam liked. The strong, vibrant colours reflect her personality perfectly. I even snuck in some pink to satisfy Pam’s Flamingo obsession.

The first incarnation of the new Fin & Co. brand was on the exterior of the shop which was in dire need of updating. Using the new branding prominently turned the shop front into an eye-catching advert for the salon. This was quickly followed by the interior of the Salon. New stationery and other marketing materials were then developed such as leaflets and gift vouchers.

The colour palette was a combination that we discussed and I knew that Pam liked. The strong, vibrant colours reflect her personality perfectly. I even snuck in some pink to satisfy Pam’s Flamingo obsession.

The first incarnation of the new Fin & Co. brand was on the exterior of the shop which was in dire need of updating. Using the new branding prominently turned the shop front into an eye-catching advert for the salon. This was quickly followed by the interior of the Salon. New stationery and other marketing materials were then developed such as leaflets and gift vouchers.

 

The next stage was to give Pam what she had originally come to see me about, her first ever website for her business. This was a great part of the project to be working on with Pam. Again, her enthusiasm for her profession and her care for her customers influenced my work heavily in designing and building her website.

The branding is consistent across all of Pam’s marketing materials, both digital and print thanks to the ‘Fin & Co. Brand Guidelines’ I created - Pam and her team can have the confidence to use it and know that they will always achieve a brand consistency.

 
 

The Result - Confidence, Pride, Joy

The most immediate effect the new branding had, was on the team. From the moment of the first reveal, the entire Fin & Co. crew were right behind it. Their morale was boosted and the great atmosphere in the salon was enhanced.

The loyal band of customers also appreciated the new, fresh look of the salon. And, it’s already pulling in new customers as well. A gentleman popped in for a trim for the first time, remarking that “You’re the only business that really stands out on the high street.”

And of course, all of that is music to Pam’s ears. Her business was doing brilliantly before the rebrand, but now she has a renewed confidence and passion for driving the business forward.

The Result - Confidence, Pride, Joy

The most immediate effect the new branding had, was on the team. From the moment of the first reveal, the entire Fin & Co. crew were right behind it. Their morale was boosted and the great atmosphere in the salon was enhanced.

The loyal band of customers also appreciated the new, fresh look of the salon. And, it’s already pulling in new customers as well. A gentleman popped in for a trim for the first time, remarking that “You’re the only business that really stands out on the high street.”

And of course, all of that is music to Pam’s ears. Her business was doing brilliantly before the rebrand, but now she has a renewed confidence and passion for driving the business forward.
 

In Pam's Words

“I thought I knew what I wanted, but Col helped me uncover what I needed. The initial meetings we had really challenged me. They made me think in an entirely new way about the salon.

It always felt like a collaboration; like we were in it together. This wasn’t a case of handing over my brand to a complete stranger. I was giving it to someone I trusted. I trusted Col completely because he took the time to understand me.

The Fin & Co. Hair Salon brand reflects me completely. I love it and I’m proud of it. Col’s given me the confidence to push ahead and grow the business to new levels. I know I’ll look back on this as one of the wisest investments I’ve made in the business.”
 
 

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