What Does Your Branding Say About You?

We often hear about branding and rebranding. It’s that look, symbol, label, character, attitude, distinctive design that sets a particular product, company and even a person apart from the rest.

As we were driving down a Texas highway, my granddaughter and I saw this truck with this message on it. “We could wreck the world. Jesus Saves.” Of course, it was a seize-the-moment photo inspiration! I'll admit -- I was puzzled about that branding. After some online research, I found that Billy Nabors Demolition has over 50 years experience in commercial and residential demolition, wrecking and dismantling and is the Dallas area's leading demolition expert. I found this article from "Dallas Magazine": "God's Wrecking Crew" "Some people wear their feelings on their sleeves. Billy Nabors wears his on 15 trucks, each emblazoned with an unforgettable slogan: "We could wreck the world -- Jesus saves." Nabors is really in the business of eyesore removal. He knows his slogan helps people remember him. "It’s an eye-catcher," Nabors says. "It’s not everybody who’s got one of these." The slogans also serve as reminders to Nabors’ drivers, who don"t need a 1-800 number to help them drive friendly. "There’s no place to hide in one of those." Nabors says "I’ve got a 30-foot billboard on every one of them." "Ain’t many people advertise for the Lord," Nabors says. "Most people advertise for the devil."

We sure can't knock success -- Billy found a niche market that gets folks looking his way if they need demolition and looking his way to point them to Jesus. I'd say Billy found a winning combination.

We should be taking a fresh look at our personal branding a lot more often and a lot more seriously. Jesus branding was “He went about doing good and healing everyone” Acts 10:38. What does OUR branding say about us? Is our branding, and the way we live, good advertising for God, too? Just think about it. We represent Jesus in the world. We are a face of Christianity. Shouldn't we be living our lives in a way that exhibits the fruit of His Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) and letting our billboards and brands be lit up with His light?

If we live out loud in His light and spotlighting Him, then just maybe folks will want to buy our products and our message and even be drawn to His LIGHT because of what they see in our brand!

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16.

Does Your Branding Include Sharing Your Blessings?

Day 26 of Photo Inspirations --
Driving back to Tulsa from Sapulpa, I passed this property where at Christmas they have the most spectacular Christmas lights (over 2 million) on their 3/4 mile property. Other times of the year, what captures your attention is the property is lined with American flags.   I did a little research and found that on this property is Paragon Industries, and that at the beginning of Desert Storm, in a strong show of support for the U.S., Paragon placed over 250 American flags along their Highway 117 property, and they continue to fly these flags today.

How many times have I passed that property and never considered what made them be so "all in" with Christmas and with their patriotism?  But, then I was never "in the moment" to consider the "why" behind their branding. On this property is Paragon Industries.  I had no clue about them.  I think about how many museums, successful businesses, tourist attractions, historical landmarks, and other noteworthy things of interest that I have missed in my city and state and around this country -- simply because I just didn't take the time to seize the moment.  I know God gave me the inspiration for this year.  He wanted me to celebrate my life and this wonderful world He made for me, on a daily basis, and what a Master-minded idea He had when He told me to be on a quest for a "photo inspiration" for each day.  He knew it would cause me to be PRESENT in each day -- and when I am PRESENT, I get to experience His PRESENCE.  The places, the people, the things that are such a part of our culture -- often are overlooked because of our inability to be PRESENT and to "stop and smell the roses". And here's what else I learned about  Paragon.

In 1970, Jack Wachob purchased Sapulpa Machine and Tool as a service shop where drilling contractors could rent "fishing tools", have a machinist repair a part, or even call a portable welder out to a location 24 hours a day.  He started with two employess and today, Paragon Industries has grown to a mega corporation of over 400 employees.    Their customer base is now from New York to Montana, from Texas to Canada, and even to South America.

I don't know that I'll ever have a need to "shop" for their products or services, but, I have such an appreciation for their "irrational generosity" to our community and to our great country.  I'm convinced that their success was too big to keep all to themselves.  It's those companies and individuals that believe the greatest success we have is best shown by how we share our blessings. Paragon has sure done that!
#ParagonIndustries #IrrationalGenerosity #BlessedToBeABlessing

What's Your "Attention Getter"?

Day 23 of Photo Inspirations -- Taco Bueno!!
I was driving to the post office and thinking, "Wonder what my photo inspiration will be for today?" Then as I was crossing the intersection at Riverside and 71st, I looked to the left and my eyes were drawn to lots of those "attention-getter" flags.  And they got my attention.  Just beyond those flags was a brand new Taco Bueno that I hadn't even noticed being built. But this day was the first day of its Grand Opening. Typically, a new restaurant or store wouldn't be a "seize the moment" opportunity, but this one was.

First of all, I was impressed with their branding -- those flags that made me do a double-take, and then I was excited about this new location here in Tulsa, and third, it brought back a flood of memories to the Grand Opening of one of their locations in Oklahoma City where we lived at the time. We were, and still are, a family that love Mexican and Tex/Mex food.  But when "fast food" Tex/Mex food (aka Taco Bueno) opened in OKC, it became the "daily routine" for our daughter. Living only a couple of blocks from it, Staci would go there for a taco or burrito or Mexi chips and dip almost every day.  Seems like a taco was like 25 cents back then.

This post isn't really about promoting Taco Bueno or even Mexican Food, but, once again, it's about "seizing the moment" -- carpe momentum.  That moment not only opened my eyes to a new business in operation -- what they're doing to brand themselves to draw attention, but it opened my memory bank to recall some sweet moments from the past.  I love it.  Living in the present -- in the moment -- opens our eyes to the past, the present and the future.  And I think to myself....."What a Wonderful World!"
#TacoBueno #WhatAWonderfulWorld #MexicanFoodByChoice

God's Wrecking Crew

Day 19 -- Photo Inspiration -- "We could wreck the world -- Jesus saves"
As we were driving down a Texas highway, my granddaughter and I saw this truck with this message on it.  Of course it was a seize-the-moment -- "photo inspiration"!  Lexi took the photo for me!

I'll admit -- I was puzzled about that branding.  After some online research, I found that Billy L Nabors Demolition has over 50 years experience in commercial and residential demolition, wrecking and dismantling -- and is the Dallas area's leading demolition expert.  I found this article from "Dallas Magazine":

 "God's Wrecking Crew"  "Some people wear their feelings on their sleeves. Billy Nabors wears his on 15 trucks, each emblazoned with an unforgettable slogan: "We could wreck the world -- Jesus saves."  Nabors is really in the business of eyesore removal. He knows his slogan helps people remember him.  "It’s an eye-catcher," Nabors says. "It’s not everybody who’s got one of these." The slogans also serve as reminders to Nabors’ drivers, who don"t need a 1-800 number to help them drive friendly. "There’s no place to hide in one of those." Nabors says "I’ve got a 30-foot billboard on every one of them."  "Ain’t many people advertise for the Lord." Nabors says. "Most people advertise for the devil."

You sure can't knock success -- Billy found a niche market.....getting folks looking his way if they need demolition and looking his way to point them to Jesus.  I'd say Billy found a winning combination "We could wreck the world -- Jesus saves."

What does OUR branding say about us?  Is our branding, and the way we live, good advertising for God, too?  Does it cause others to do research to find out what we're all about?  Just maybe.....they'll buy our products....and even be drawn to the LIGHT because of what they find out!
#JesusSaves #GoodBrandingWorks