STRATEGIC BRANDING
You’ve outgrown your DIY brand.
That logo you created in Canva and the messaging you wrote at 2am got you started. But now you need a brand foundation that matches the business you've built. This is the first step in branding a business with intention.
Through my step-by-step workshops (available as self-paced courses), you'll clarify what you stand for, craft messaging that clicks, and create a brand foundation so clear that people immediately understand why they need you.
You’re not starting from scratch. You’re starting from experience.
If you’ve been building your brand backwards, here’s how to fix it.
My Brand Explorer Workshops take you through the same brand strategy process I use when working with clients 1:1.
Most businesses build their brand backwards, starting with a logo and trying to make everything else fit. The problem is, without clarity first, even the best marketing strategy for small business falls flat.
The result? Messaging that feels off and a brand that doesn't align with what you're actually trying to communicate.
These online courses help you fix the branding struggles business owners talk about every day
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Feeling like your brand seems lackluster or the same as others in your niche – uncover what makes you truly different so you stand out
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Show your genuine value with confidence - dive into customer transformations to find the right balance between sounding authentic and persuasive
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Feeling “all over the place” - bring your message, visuals, and marketing into alignment so promoting your business feels effortless
The result? Real clarity and a branding roadmap that guides your message, your marketing, and your growth.
Whether you’re starting fresh or completely reimagining what exists, you’ll define your brand’s core and learn how to translate it into visuals, messaging, and marketing that feel aligned.
Here’s exactly how it works
Every strong brand starts with clarity, so we begin with the foundation that makes everything else possible.
1.
Discover
Use actionable exercises to uncover what makes you different, who desperately needs what you offer, and how to explain your value in a way that clicks with your ideal customers.
2.
Clarify
Define what to say, to whom, and why, so your message connects with the right people.
3.
Apply
Use your new clarity to guide all your brand decisions moving forward from colors to captions to marketing campaigns.
What happens next is up to you. Once you complete the workshops and have a solid brand foundation, you can tackle the visual identity yourself, work with another designer, or collaborate with me on bringing your brand to life visually.
The "Know Who You Are" workshop has been instrumental in refining my brand’s overall style and tone of voice, but also helped me really get clear on my mission and where I see myself in the future.
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Jennifer Z. Mindful Space & Flow
Hi, I’m Krista
Brand Strategist & Strategic Identity Designer
I started my career crafting logos and building brand identities for Silicon Valley startups over 20 years ago. Working with dozens of new companies taught me something crucial. The ones that succeeded weren't always the best products. They were the clearest communicators.
After years of building brands for outdoor and wellness businesses, that pattern held true. The most successful projects always started with clients who knew exactly who they were and what they stood for.
Here's the thing. Strategic clarity should always come before investing in the logo because it’s the foundation of an effective marketing strategy for small business. That's why I started creating self-paced, accessible, online workshops for small businesses. They give you the same strategic thinking process I use with private clients, packaged so you can work through it yourself.
Workshop and Brand Identity Success Stories
5.0
Leah Cox
Krista did a wonderful job helping us clarify our brand strategy and design. It prevails through all of our work and it completely encapsulates us as a team.
Mary Grebitus
It encouraged me to really open up and not be fearful of a wrong answer or silly thought. Krista, you do a wonderful job explaining the process and are very knowledgeable with a depth of experience.
Whether they worked through the Brand Explorer Workshop series or partnered with me to bring their clarity to life visually, here’s what real small business owners had to say about my Brand Explorer Workshops…
Do these workshops actually work? See a real client success story →
Ready to end the brand story struggle?
You've built something meaningful. Now let's make sure everyone else can see that too.
The Brand Explorer Workshops are ready when you are. Work through them at your own pace, discover insights unique to your business, and finally have the clarity that makes every conversation (and marketing piece) easier.
Get the strategic foundation right first. Then when you're ready to bring that clarity to life visually, you'll have everything you need to make smart design and marketing decisions that actually work for your business.
Not ready for workshops yet? Start here.
Start with the basics.
Free Vision Board Kit
Map out the future vision of your brand identity and clarify your business direction before you tackle your brand strategy.