Feeling stuck because your brand doesn’t feel “perfect” yet? You’re in good company.

If you’re hesitating to launch because you think your logo isn’t polished enough or your website isn’t "there yet," let me stop you right here. After 15 years as a solopreneur, I can tell you this... the best brands out there? They didn’t start with it all figured out. They started messy, scrappy, and focused on what really mattered: connection, problem-solving, and showing up.

Your brand is a living, breathing thing. It’s supposed to evolve.

Here are 6 brands and entrepreneurs who prove that you don’t need perfection to build something powerful. You just need to start.

1. Marie Forleo

Before she was a leader in online business education, Marie was bartending, teaching fitness, and coaching on the side. Her early brand was colorful, quirky, and far from the polished presence you see today. She’s rebranded multiple times as she’s grown, because that’s what real brands do.

Takeaway: Your brand should grow with you.

2. Instagram

Instagram began as a completely different app called Burbn... cluttered, overcomplicated, and nothing like the clean photo-sharing platform we know today. Even their iconic logo has gone through major changes.

Takeaway: Simplicity comes from iteration, not from day-one perfection.

3. Spanx (Sara Blakely)

With no background in fashion or business, Sara Blakely launched Spanx on a budget and a mission. The early branding was basic, but she focused on solving a real problem for women. Today, Spanx is a global brand... but it didn’t start that way.

Takeaway: Solve the problem first. The polished brand can come later.

4. Airbnb

What started as "AirBed & Breakfast" was a way for the founders to pay rent by offering air mattresses in their apartment. Their branding, logo, and even their business model shifted dramatically over time to become the Airbnb we know now.

Takeaway: Stay open to pivots... flexibility builds iconic brands.

5. Glossier (Emily Weiss)

Glossier wasn’t born as a beauty brand. It grew out of a blog — Into The Gloss — where Emily Weiss built community and trust long before launching products. The sleek branding followed the relationships she nurtured.

Takeaway: Community is the foundation of a lasting brand.

6. Canva

Canva’s first iteration was a simple tool for designing school yearbooks. No fancy branding, no global audience. They expanded slowly, refined their look, and listened to users as they grew into a creative essential.

Takeaway: Start small, stay consistent, and let clarity come through action.

The Real Secret? Brands Evolve Because People Evolve

If you’re just starting out, remember: your logo, colors, or website won’t make or break your success. It’s how you show up, connect, and stay flexible that builds a brand with staying power.

Obsessing over getting everything “perfect” will only delay the growth that gives you clarity in the first place.

If you’re stuck in logo-land, I’ve written more about why your logo isn’t the heart of your brand. You can check that out here.

And if you’re feeling the pressure to have it all figured out before you launch, I’ve got a pep talk waiting for you here because perfection isn’t the goal. Momentum is.