Before Organics Anonymous existed I created websites for four years as a freelance gig that “supplemented” my other career(s). I was never proud of the fact that I couldn’t find total satisfaction in my full time position as a National Sales Manager and Brand Manager for XYZ corp, but nor could I let go of the tremendous financial security, perks, and other material rewards that staying in such a position afforded me. While I craved a creative outlet, the freedom to take “time off” when I needed it, and an environment that fostered progressive thinking (imagine that!), I clung…

At the time, being an out lesbian also posed its own challenges, but primarily from the perspective of my inner voice– “certain people might not do business with you if you ‘flaunt’ your identity,” “don’t jepoardize your professional image,” “keep it private where it can’t hurt your livelihood.” These are all pretty real concerns that the LGBT community faces regularly, and the crowd is mixed in their feelings about being out in business. While I can’t speak for anyone else, my other inner voice sounds a little like this: “your work will speak for itself. If your sexual orientation (skin color, gender, personal style) hinders your otherwise “healthy” working relationships, then were those relationships really healthy from the get-go? And moreover, where there’s someone who might be turned off by your true identity, there are myriad that might appreciate the candidness…and those ARE the kinds of relationships you want to foster.”

What I learned from this dialogue was that the organic nature of my identity is exactly what I want people to see. Why? Because from honesty develops trust. And we all know that trust = a successful relationship.
The term “Organic” is not something I learned recently. In fact, it was a sort of sibling in my childhood home. Both of my parents are organic skin chemists and my grandparents owned health foods stores when I was growing up…I ate carob bunnies at Easter, for crying out loud! As I grew to become an adult, sure I still took good care of my body and ate as much organic food as I could afford, I even joined the family business of creating organic skin care products.

I never gave much thought to Organics as a marketing tool, or how it would be used over time by big business to sell the shirts off of unsuspecting consumers–that is, until I became one of the tools. My pristine concept of “organics = truth” crumbled as I realized that “organics” had quickly morphed from an alternative, hippy, naturalist way of life to a big-business selling ploy– slap the label “organic” on it and consumers will buy it with no questions asked.

That’s when I made the decision to get out. Instead of trying to defeat the big business giants, I decided to start my own business, from where I could foster a different style of business: one that focused on highlighting quality, integrity, and originality in the branding of small businesses everywhere. You see, to me, Organics is all about these three qualities. And as far as business is concerned, the Truth will sell itself so long as what it is you’re selling is valuable to the consumer. My personal belief is that if you have to spin a clever story in order to create the perception of value, then you’re deceiving your consumer. And deceived consumers don’t spend their money on products or services they don’t trust.

In April of 2008 I officially cut ties with inorganic business practices and put all my efforts into finally going into business for myself, as myself, and helping other people to brand their own businesses…organically.

Organic Branding in a Nutshell
Like organic foods that are more nutritive, robust, and overall of better quality than those that are mass produced and chemical infused, organic websites (as opposed to those that are inorganic, or mass-produced and cheapened) are created with a unique voice, little wasted space (or filler), and most importantly, honest, original, and timeless brand images that keep customers coming back for more.

One of the most commonly suggested modes of successfully branding your company is the level to which you can detach your personal tastes from an identity whose main purpose is to bring you business. My thought is that there is no such detaching yourself from your business; the challenge is bridging the gap aesthetically between yourself and your business so that each compliments the other. Yes, even if you like floral prints and plaid– it can be done!

Why not infuse your brand image with the essence of who you are and why you do what you do? After all, when we do what we love, we love what we do and our customers not only notice that—they value that.
Organics Anonymous was founded on the objective of taking the most fundamental goals, philosophies, and intentions of a business and the people who run it, and crafting a brand identity that will result in organic, true consumer interest.

To learn more about Organics Anonymous and how we make branding organically a gay old time, visit http://organicsanonymous.com.

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