Creating Core Values and a Cute Makeover

Hi Friends!

The Downtown Troy BID asked me to write an article about core values for their business development program this year so I thought I’d share it here as well.

Team Work

Let me first say that this team right here is my absolute favorite on the planet. Each person does their very best every time I ask for help. Pam runs the store like it’s her own – I can’t even imagine running the store without her. She makes signs, keeps up on inventory, has the friendliest personality, and always has my back. Debbie (my mom) has worked with me from day one. Doing anything from upholstery to cleaning toilets. No job is below her and that’s a true servants heart worth emulating. If you’ve met her in the store, you know she can also talk to anyone about anything and will probably make you laugh before you leave. Kelly always understands exactly what I’m looking for in a design. She has the instinct to pull together a room design without any hesitation. Not to mention, when we work together, it feels like we’re not even working. It’s always so fun! She’s sweet, smart, and the perfect design assistant. They are all gems in my book! I’m so thankful for each and every person God has brought under this umbrella of work called FunCycled.

Core Values

As I was working through the core values for FunCycled, I needed to be reminded that core values are the shared principles that guide your team and define your culture. Too often businesses (just like my business did at first), jump to create a logo, website or marketing strategy without having clarified their brand core. Whether you just started a company or are 10 years in, if you haven’t created your core values, now’s the time! When you successfully identify and communicate your company’s core values, it will help guide your motivation for change within the company and with your employees. 

Core values also provide important boundaries within which the business will operate and pursue its mission. For small businesses, your values need to come from you. What do you believe to be true? What are the most important characteristics of your company’s work? What is your desired culture? Which values are you most passionate about? Which values are non-negotiable? Which values are you willing to lose money for? 

For example, at FunCycled, we reassessed our plan for core values with Dylan Hall – who was amazing! – at Guide and Porter (a brand strategy and design consultancy) and developed these: 

Work Hard. Play Hard.

To create a culture where home and work have a healthy balance. 

Kill Them With Kindness

Kindness is spread generously in the workplace and with our clients to build relationships that last.

Selfless Drive

By seeking the highest good in craft and customer service.

Developing 3-5 clear values is a critical step to guide all aspects of your business. From customer service, sales, marketing, messaging, positioning, hiring and firing, strategic plans and building your company culture; developing clear values serves as the foundation for developing your brand identity, consumer relationships, and marketing. 

While your mission statement answers the question “why do we exist?”, your core values answer the question, “how do we behave?”. 

When someone visits your business they are experiencing your values in action! Remember that as you go over it with your team. You could even create a sign for your workplace as a consistent reminder. It’s easy to forget what you’re striving for when you get busy or discouraged; a daily reminder is always healthy for your mind and heart.  

Core values are the ideals that you esteem highly as a company. They are more than a nice set of words that hang on your wall because they define what you hold dear. They guide decision making and keep you on track. They are what you believe—no matter what. However, if they are to be more than mere platitudes, your values must be actionable. Name the behaviors and then make them actionable. It helps you know what to expect from yourself and your team! It will help differentiate your business from others and lead your team well into a more successful tomorrow. It’s already been a game changer for us!

Cute Makeover

I promised a cute makeover… so here’s that for you, too!

If you want to see how we paint furniture, check out our How to Paint Furniture post. 

This desk was done as a custom order so it’s not for sale. You can check out available furniture on our For Sale page:

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Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

If you like what you see, please like FunCycled’s Facebook page to keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We also offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and furniture. We can deliver for customers in upstate NY and also help you ship throughout the US. Send us a note with what you would like using our contact page. Or buy something that we’ve already designed from our online shop.