Wade Kingsley

Big ideas for small business

Injecting creativity into your brand.

As a small business owner you spend more time working in your business. You’re putting out fires, shipping orders, or calling potential customers to get more business.

What owners need to do is spend more time working on their business. Thinking of more ways to build their business or brand. Thinking of ways to promote their business. Thinking of new processes and policies to make their business more efficient.

Thinking.

One word that can mean the world of difference to a small business.

At our recent Masterclass session, we were fortunate to have Wade Kingsley, creator and founder of The Ideas Business, talk about the importance of taking the time to think. Here are some bits of advice he shared:

Invest time in thinking upfront

In the world of small business time is of the essence. Wade suggests you spend time at the start of a project thinking. Whether it be for a marketing campaign, expanding your product range, or offering new services, by taking the time to think things through you can cover most of the possibilities before undertaking the project. While it may seem like a luxury to stop and think, it’s more important than you know.

Think big

Don’t hold yourself back. As a small business owner, you’re constantly watching your budget. Which is sensible. However, in the realm of thinking, your imagination should be your only limitation. Dream big. Think of a Hollywood idea that get’s your business name out there, then let the budget determine how you execute it. Some of the smartest and most creative advertising in the world began with a big idea made better with a tight budget.

Possibilities

What’s the difference between possibility and possible? One question: What if? By starting with “what if?” endless possibilities open-up. That one question starts a chain-reaction of getting your brain to push itself to consider more options and possibilities. Once you’ve exhausted either yourself or all your options that’s when you ask yourself “can we?” Afterall, you have a business to run and while your imagination may infinite, your budget is finite.

During his Masterclass keynote, Wade had this quote:

“The best financial advice I’ll give you is that no one owns the mortgage on good ideas.”

What does that mean? Anyone can have an idea. They’re not exclusive. So, get thinking.

While the focus of Wade’s session was around the benefits and necessity of thinking, with over 25 years’ experience within the advertising and media industry, he had some amazing insights about how business owners forget that they are the brand. It started with them and should contain at least a fraction of their essence.

Have fun with your brand

When it comes to business related communications ‘serious’ is the default “tone” for most businesses. In a sea of ‘sameness’ your business will easily get lost amongst all the others. Have fun with your brand. There are enough serious brands out there. So, do something that stands out.

Add a little playfulness

‘Playfulness’ is just another way of saying ‘personality’. If you’re a one-person operation with repeat customers, then YOU are the reason they’re coming back. Sure, they may like your product or service, but your personality seals the deal. People buy from those they feel a connection with. Inject your personality into your business. Whether it’s your website, emails, sales collateral, or social posts, let your personality shine.

Big ideas can come from anywhere and anyone. A conversation with a family member or friend, or during a trip to the bathroom, the brain can generate amazing ideas. However, like anything important, it requires time. If you’re days are busy, then schedule 30-60 minutes for some deep thinking. It might be hard at first to focus and not get drawn back into thinking about everyday tasks. But persevere. As time goes on you’ll be able to focus more efficiently.

If you’re looking for some inspiration why not check out further content from our Small Business Growth Masterclass hub. You’ll be able to find full recordings of our 2024 sessions, as well as highlights from the 2025 sessions. Alternatively, you can also find some thought starters on our Small Business Hub which contains insights specifically for small business.

Watch the interview with Wade Kingsley