Think, Plan, Execute - Building a Brand

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." – Lao Tzu

“You are getting late. Wake up.” She was sitting on the bed, close to me, moving her hands gently through my hair. I could see that innocent smile on her face through my sleepy eyes.

The alarm started beeping.

What a dream it was. I walked toward the window, and as I pulled the curtains, the sunlight rushed in. A beautiful morning filled with dreams. Somebody knocked on the door. “It’s open,” I said. “Your tea is here.” I left.

Dream - Lowerated

Let’s make your day productive by walking you through some important lessons you must know as a business owner. I'll begin by giving a little introduction about our brand.

Starting with Lowerated Store.

Lowerated Store is a subsidiary of Lowerated, a company that streamlines the filmmaking process with the assistance of AI.

Lowerated Store is a generic store that creates film and movie-related products for enthusiasts who want to express their passion for cinema through unique merchandise. 

Speed to Execute is Important

From an idea to selling the whole batch, it took us 34 days.

“Just 34 days?”

Yup. Fascinating, isn’t it? You have to be crazy when it comes to work.

Execution.

I always emphasize this word: Execution. We all have tons of ideas and want to work on them. You know, most brilliant ideas exist today because somebody took action. Nature is so giving that all it looks for is the effort you put into your work.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." – Teddy Roosevelt.

I heard this quote from my uncle in a business meeting, and I pasted it in my head. And with that, Lowerated Store came into existence.

Think Fast - Solve the Puzzle

Research.

Before stepping into the business world, knowledge and data about your domain are crucial. But more than just having information, you must understand it to make wise decisions.

Plan vs Strategy.

“We have to change our strategy. Make a new one that resonates with our plan, ASAP.” My brother made this statement in a meeting. I grabbed a pen and started working on the whiteboard. For half an hour, I couldn’t process a single idea. I was completely blank, and it was making me more anxious. But let me tell you—it’s completely fine. That’s how it works.

You should have a clear plan and multiple strategies to navigate this field. If you take action based on things you randomly hear without proper knowledge, it will crush you in no time. Take your time and move strategically.

Understand Your People.

Your customers are your people. They should be your top priority in every step you take, every single decision you make. Understand them. Observe their reactions. Learn their wants and needs. Then fulfill them the way they want.

“One tea, please. Umm, also, I’d like to have a blueberry cheesecake.” She took the order and left.

Position Your Brand Before Expecting Profit.

What a bold statement, but it’s the truth.

Positioning a brand takes time and energy. But once done properly, it builds loyal customers. Trust is the most valuable asset, and branding helps you earn that.

I know we all want a boatload of money and seamless cash flows, but chill—that’s not how things work. Great things take time, energy, and effort to run long-term. Shortcuts are just like a dopamine hit. Don’t fall for that trap.

Be Careful with Marketing

The idea that marketing and advertising transform perception is powerful.

"A flower is a weed with an advertising budget." – Rory Sutherland.

A flower and a weed share the same basic characteristics. But the flower is valued more because it has been marketed effectively.

Don't Give too Many Options.

One of the mistake that cost us a lot—we gave customers too many options. Never do that. If you build a product that solves a problem or adds value, people will buy it regardless of anything. Giving too many options dilutes brand identity. Yes, customers love options, but there’s a difference between offering variety and overwhelming them. Move carefully.

Manage Your Finances Properly.

“Anything else you’d like to have, Sir?” That sweet voice sounded familiar. Yes, you got it right—she was the one with the curls. Heaven. I was staring at her, and she had that static, cute little smile on her face.

“By any chance, are you free tonight?” I asked, hoping for just one answer. “Umm, yeah. Is everything alright, Sir?” she asked softly. “See you at eight. I’ll pick you up.” I wrote my phone number on a napkin and left.

Now that I have your attention, let’s talk about something important—CASH Flow. We all make mistakes here, especially when running a business for the first time. Managing all the ins and outs of money and keeping track of every detail is tough—but it’s also crucial.

Most of the time, we lost track because we were managing everything ourselves. Isn’t it crazy? But we never made excuses. Get up and work.

By the way Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you build your brand – Click here...