Making Your Mark: John Reid on Brand Distinction with Lovehate Design+Brand

In a recent episode of The Growth Equation, I had the pleasure of chatting with John Reid, the founder of Lovehate Design+Brand, a conversation that went well beyond surface-level branding.

What stood out to me was John’s belief that branding isn’t about flashy logos or clever taglines. It’s about clarity. Their own mantra, “Stand out. Be heard. Grow,” isn’t just for show. It guides every decision they make. That level of alignment is something many small business owners could benefit from.

One line from John that really stuck with me was: “Your brand isn’t just what you sell; it’s the promise you keep.” It’s a timely reminder that a strong brand starts with knowing who you are and communicating that consistently, inside and out.

We also explored a tough but important topic of letting go of clients who aren’t a good fit. John shared how doing so created space for the right ones, leading to better outcomes for everyone involved. It’s a lesson in putting values before short-term wins.

John’s story of evolving Love Hate Design into a specialised consultancy really resonated with me. He also offered some gold around leading remote teams, leaning into visual tools and structured communication to keep things running smoothly.

This conversation reinforced something I tell clients often: real growth comes from having the courage to refine, realign, and move forward with intention.

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