Kate Hendry is the founder of Finbo Studio - a branding and design agency that helps pet businesses create a visual identity that feels just like them.
In this episode, we talk all about how your brand is so much more than just a logo – and how to put yourself out there in a way that feels good.
Kate is the brilliant brain behind the design of my planner, and she’s worked with loads of amazing pet brands to help them stand out, tell their stories, and grow businesses they’re proud of.
We talk about how she went from drawing wildlife prints for her son Finn’s nursery and selling them in an Asda car park, to creating brands that go on to win top industry awards.
We cover the mistakes she’s made, the moments that made her want to give up, underpants on the radiator, and what it takes to build a business that reflects who you are.
Kate explains what good branding is really about - not just colours and logos, but clarity, confidence, and creating something that supports you to show up.
She also shares how feeling invisible shaped the way she now helps others feel seen.
We chat about why we need to stop overthinking, how to be brave in our content, and why sometimes the hardest part of business is saying the thing you really want to say.
I really hope you love this episode, and that it leaves you feeling a little bit braver when it comes to being yourself.
You’ll find all the links to connect with Kate at the end of this post, along with a summary of our conversation.
Key topics and timings:
0.20 - Episode overview.
2.53 - Kate’s introduction and background.
4.02 - How Kate’s self-employment business started with creating wildlife illustrations and prints for her little boy Finn and selling them in Asda car park.
7.07 - Understanding profits and margins and why Kate stepped away from her product business.
9.21 - How Kate uses the experience she made with her product business to support her clients in her new business.
13.35 - How Kate fell into the niche of working with pet brands.
18.05 - The process of helping a pet brand work out how to bring their brand to life and represent themselves in a way that feels right and reflects how they are.
23.51 - How her clients are the key for helping Kate bringing their brands to life with a case study with Kate Hart from The Sniffer Shop.
25.50 - The research process and how the passion of the business owner is brought into branding.
27.59 - How the branding and strategy and design is implemented across the business.
31.45 - How a visual identity project worked for Nina Fotara from The Confident Canine.
35.21 - How Kate would brand herself.
40.29 - The confidence you get from feeling the impression you’re putting out into the world reflects your business properly.
43.29 - Why Kate’s own experience of feeling invisible and wanting to be ‘small and quiet’ makes her so passionate about supporting her clients in feeling good about being seen.
48.55 - Originality and authenticity and how this makes running your business easier.
51.24 - Being brave with your content.
52.14 - How Kate is feeling more confident with sharing her thoughts and feelings and not being scared of being divisive and how posting your opinions will help you stand out.
54.45 - Kate’s advice for people who want to stand out and why you don’t need to be polished and professional.
57.08 - Our sharing things you’re a bit scared of saying challenge!
1.01.52 - Where to find out more about Kate.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Find out more about Kate on her website: https://finbostudio.co.uk/
Learn more about The Sniffer Shop: https://thesniffershop.co.uk/
Learn more about Nina at The Confident Canine: https://confidentcanine.co.uk/
Further listening/reading:
Kate Hart on creating Nose Joy with The Sniffer Shop
Should you buy my Pet Business Content Planner?
What is The Planner Club and should you join?
Should you join my Online Pet Business Planning event?
