Branding

As i attempt my first start up company, creating a great name and visual brand has been one aspect to my beginnings. At this point i have reached out to several designer friends to help me out, plus the option to pay a design professional i have been introduced to.. I want options to pick from so i have looked around and discovered a site called 99designs.com which lets you post an offer, as low as $200 (lowest ive seen), to designers from all over so that they can create custom designs for your logos, web site designs, and other things. I am considering it but we shall see..

Other things like business cards and brand schwag for events are also important so what are some of the resources or businesses that you are working with to establish your brands?