We recently connected with Colin Ridge and have shared our conversation below.

Colin , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

Absolutely—and it’s something we’re really proud of at Ridge Ln. We’ve intentionally built our business to be different from the traditional agency model. While large firms can feel transactional and rely on impersonal processes, we focus on being agile, selective, and relationship-first.

In an industry that leans heavily on rigid packages and one-size-fits-all strategies, we take a more human, collaborative approach. We treat our clients like partners, not transactions. From day one, we make space to truly understand their goals, their brand—and even any negative experiences they’ve had with marketing or visibility in the past. That level of trust changes everything.

Because we work for ourselves, we stay close to the work—and even closer to the people we serve. We speak directly with our clients, hear their stories, and co-create custom solutions that actually fit. That kind of connection is rare in the agency world—and it’s exactly where we thrive.

What makes us different is that we genuinely care about doing great work with people we believe in. And that freedom—to choose our projects, our pace, and our people—is something we wouldn’t trade for anything.

Colin , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

We’re Colin and Jordan Ridge, founders of Ridge Ln—a creative and marketing company dedicated to helping purpose-driven brands elevate their presence with clarity, creativity, and intention. We proudly describe ourselves as corporate dropouts. After years in the corporate world, we knew we wanted more ownership over our work and the freedom to collaborate on projects that genuinely align with our values.

We’re intentional about the projects we take on. We prioritize meaningful work and authentic relationships—even if that means saying no to certain opportunities so we can say yes to the right ones.

Our clients usually come to us when they’ve outgrown DIY marketing and are ready to hand it off so they can get their time back and focus on what they do best. They turn to us for:

– Creative & Strategic Branding (logos, messaging, brand guidelines)

– Custom Photography & Video Production (brand storytelling, social content, events)

– Web Design & Development

– Strategic Marketing & Content Planning (social strategy, email marketing, digital campaigns)

– Public Speaker & PR Kits (custom tools to clearly communicate their value)

What sets us apart is how personal and hands-on we are. You’re not getting passed around between departments—you’re working directly with us. We don’t just deliver assets and walk away; we build systems, teach as we go, and care deeply about the people behind the brands. We’re not chasing awards or viral fame—we’re building long-term partnerships and helping good people grow businesses they love.

We’re most proud of creating a business that reflects our values—a business where we get to do meaningful work, raise our family, and create side by side. Watching our clients grow—and knowing we played a part in that journey—has been life-changing.

If you’re considering working with us, here’s what we want you to know: Ridge Ln is a place for clarity, creativity, and real connection. If you’re ready for something more intentional, more custom, and more you—we’d love to meet you.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Colin: At the end of 2023, I was producing a campaign for T-Mobile’s internal Career Development program. The message was clear: Own Your Career. It was about recognizing your potential, advocating for yourself, and taking bold steps. After wrapping the project, I had a moment of truth—I had spent 21 years in corporate life encouraging others take a chance on themselves, but I hadn’t done that for myself.

I realized I’d gotten complacent. The salary was good, the benefits were incredible—but I wasn’t fulfilled. I needed something drastic. A career cold plunge.

So I chased what felt like the next logical step: another corporate job. I applied for hundreds of roles, wrote cover letters, and tried to sound excited about positions I honestly just hoped would pay the bills. Despite all my experience, I kept hearing, “You’re not quite what we’re looking for.” That hit hard. How could two decades of work not be enough?

So I shifted. I started connecting with professionals across the city—not to pitch myself, but to hear their stories. I asked about their paths, their pivots, and where they saw the industry going. I left those conversations inspired—but also frustrated. To get back into that world at a high level, I’d have to start over. And at this stage, that felt like going backwards.

That’s when I finally asked: Why am I still chasing something that never really fulfilled me in the first place?

I had a few freelance projects through my network, but I was stuck—one foot in, one foot out. That’s when Jordan hit me with a shocking realization.

Jordan:
I spent over a decade in the agency world, climbing the ladder, collecting titles, and working with major brands like Red Lobster, Motel 6, Vanity Fair Lingerie, and Bass Pro Shops. For a long time, that hustle felt like the dream. I was leading a talented team, working with clients I respected, and managing big, visible campaigns. I had made it, right?

But behind the scenes, burnout was creeping in. I found myself staring at the screen, exhausted, wondering: Is this really it? Something had shifted—not just within the company, but in me. The pace, the politics, the pressure… it stopped feeling worth it. And even though I’d always imagined starting something of my own, I kept putting it off. Corporate life felt like the safer path.

But the truth was, I wasn’t happy. And that was starting to show—my team noticed, clients noticed, even leadership noticed. After some tough but honest conversations, I realized it was time to walk away. Not just from a job, but from the entire mindset that my worth was tied to a title or a company name.

Together:
That’s how Ridge Ln was born—not out of a perfectly polished business plan, but out of a shared moment of clarity: We want to build something that reflects who we are. Now, we work together every day, helping clients we believe in—doing meaningful, creative work on our own terms.

Was the pivot scary? Absolutely. But it gave us the freedom to reconnect with the work we love and the people we want to serve. And that feeling? It’s better than any paycheck or job title we ever chased.

v

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

For us, the most effective strategy has been relationships—hands down. Almost every project we’ve taken on at Ridge Ln has come through word-of-mouth, referrals, or real-world conversations. We focus less on cold outreach and more on building trust and showing up consistently—online and in person.

When we meet people, we don’t try to “sell” them. We ask questions. We listen. We look for ways we can support them—even if that means referring them to someone else. That mindset has created a ripple effect. Clients who feel supported come back, and they tell their peers. It’s slow growth in the best way—intentional, sustainable, and aligned with the kind of business we want to build.

Another thing that’s worked well is simply sharing our process and thinking out loud. Whether it’s a behind-the-scenes look at a branding shoot, a breakdown of a strategy we created, or a story about a recent client win, being transparent about how we work builds trust before we’re ever hired. We’ve had people say, “I’ve been watching you for months and I knew when I was ready, I wanted to work with you.” That’s the kind of client we want—someone who’s aligned with our approach and excited to collaborate.

At the end of the day, the best “strategy” for us has been being real, showing up, and doing great work we’re proud of. The rest tends to follow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ridgeln.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello.ridge.ln/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ridgeln
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridge-ln

Image Credits
All images created by Ridge Ln LLC