[micmac99]

I did not even click the link. All the comments alone made it very clear you did NOT use the services of a brand/marketing expert that could have helped clarify/define your brand. Your brand is sorely misunderstood.

Why do startups refuse to hire professional design/branding people at the early stage? when we can help make your idea into a real winner?????? Sorry but come on, "It's too expensive" is totally not a good enough excuse. Even for bootstrappers. Not if you hope to earn a living/funding with your idea. If the idea's that good, the expense of using a real professional is well worth the investment. And if the idea is less than good...let us work with you to get to a good idea. All designers should include fact-finding/question-asking-probing and positioning statement writing as a basic part of the service. That's what the major multinational design firms (the ones that work for the top global companies) do.

[bkanber]

Oh, come on -- you admit you didn't click the link but still assume that you have enough information to go by to criticize them? And start pushing your services on them?

This is a "Show HN" post. You're supposed to play with it, and then comment.

[micmac99]

I stand partially corrected, but sorry, I still stand 110% by the general idea behind my comments. I'm not "pushing" my services so much as pushing the concept of rigorously thinking an idea/concept through and testing it before rolling it out to the public (and getting other professionals involved in the process) - even if it is a "Show HN" post. When something is posted on any public forum you do open yourself up to criticism. My apologies if it's taken the wrong way, but startups DO need to consider this.

[gkoberger]

The most important part of branding is empathy. Same goes for product management, usability, design, marketing and even programming. I don't think Sobrr would have been better off hiring you or your firm, given the lack of empathy displayed in your post.

Would you be willing to post some of your work, so we can get an idea of what you provide clients?

EDIT: Link to his portfolio was posted in a previous comment by him, for anyone interested.

[micmac99]

Thanks for that. My intention was not to offend anyone.

The creative/design/branding people often get ignored and are often not a part of the process for ANY type of business, including startups, and we have way too much to offer for me not to speak up.

Using the services of someone like me (NOT necessarily me specifically) can help sharpen focus, define direction, and reduce negative comments such as what have been posted here.

I'll try to soften my bedside manner in future comments. My intent is to help clarify purpose.

[micmac99]

OK...so I DID click on the link, and OK, I'll concede, maybe a professional designer MIGHT have worked on this, but it looks like some kind of nightclub/social "party" app. If that's not the intention your designer needs to go back to the drawing board and redefine this brand.