What Happens When Your Brand Sends the Wrong Message

Years ago, Daniel and I were driving through town when we noticed a new restaurant had just opened. The place was called Quazines.

Outside stood a man in a tux and tails, smiling and waving at passing cars like a maître d’ plucked from a fine Parisian hotel.

We took one look inside the restaurant, complete with a baby grand piano, white linen tablecloths, the whole nine yards, and thought, “Yikes, not for us! This is way too fancy and probably $100 a plate.”

And off we went, not giving that restaurant another thought.

Months later, we met with the owner. He was frustrated that no one was coming through the door. He’d poured his heart into this business, but the results just weren’t showing up.

Turns out, Quazines wasn’t a fine-dining establishment at all. It was an approachable, affordable steakhouse.

But every signal his brand was sending, including the name, visuals, and ambiance, was telling a completely different story – the story of a place that wasn’t meant for people like us.

He didn’t have a product problem. He had a clarity problem.

Once we helped him reposition his brand, starting with a new name (Q Steakhouse), and got rid of the piano, tuxedos and linens, everything changed.

Suddenly, the people he meant to serve started showing up. They understood who he was and what he offered.

His message matched his market, and that’s the power of brand clarity.

And yet, so many small business owners are out there doing the exact same thing – sending the wrong signals, and repelling their ideal clients without realizing it, all because they’re guessing.

Guessing what their brand should look like.
Guessing what their website should say.
Guessing how to attract the right people.

And guesswork is expensive.

It wastes your time.
It wastes your energy.
It wastes your marketing dollars.

Worst of all, it quietly erodes your confidence.

The truth is, most business owners aren’t marketers. You didn’t start your business to decode digital strategy or spend your evenings tweaking your tagline.

You started it because you had something meaningful to offer, and you wanted to make a real difference.

But without clarity, even the best offer gets lost in the noise.

That’s why I created The ‘No More Wasted Marketing’ Workbook.

It’s not just another generic guide full of fluff and jargon. It’s a step-by-step process to help you uncover what’s off, align your messaging with who you truly are, and finally start drawing in the right people.

It’s the exact framework I’ve used for over 20 years to help service-based entrepreneurs like coaches, consultants, wellness professionals, and others, stop spinning their wheels and start building a brand that feels right and gets results.

If something feels off in your marketing but you can’t quite put your finger on it…
If you’re tired of trying random tactics that don’t move the needle…
If you know you’ve got something valuable but can’t seem to communicate it clearly…

Let’s stop the guesswork.

Clarity isn’t a luxury. It’s the foundation.

The workbook I’ve created is designed to give you that clarity, step by step.

Download your copy today.

Until next time – stay clear, stay focused, and stand out.

About the Author, Susan Friesen

Located in the lower mainland of B.C., Susan Friesen is a visionary brand strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of British Columbia’s premiere boutique web development and digital marketing agency, eVision Media.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she is an expert in helping businesses establish their online presence and create a strong brand identity.

Her passion for empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners to succeed in the digital world has earned her a reputation as a leading authority in the branding and marketing industry.

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