We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Adrienne Pickett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Adrienne below.

Hi Adrienne, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

In the wake of the 2016 election, while many people I knew were feeling hopeless, I felt something different—I felt activated. I was a lifelong Democrat, a community activist, and a mom of two young kids at the time. That moment pushed me to ask: What can I do, right now, with the skills I have, to make real change?

I had spent over 15 years as an art director and designer, working on billion-dollar brands like Procter & Gamble, Target, and the NFL. I knew how to craft stories that moved people to act—and I started to notice something: many of the grassroots, people-powered candidates I believed in didn’t have access to the same high-level of creative support. Their messaging didn’t match the power of their vision. Their campaign materials lacked the polish and strategy needed to compete. And that disconnect felt like a problem I was uniquely positioned to solve.

So, in 2017, I founded The Guerrilla Politic. I wanted to build something agile and unapologetically creative—a fully remote team of artists, designers, strategists, and organizers who could create bold, emotionally resonant campaigns for Democrats up and down the ballot. We specialized in working with candidates who often got overlooked. I knew that if we could help them break through the noise, we could change what leadership looks like at every level of government.

That first year, I was still working full-time at a major advertising agency and running The Guerrilla Politic on nights and weekends. I designed the messaging, mail, digital ads, and branding for seven candidates—and all seven won. That gave me proof of concept. I knew this wasn’t just a passion project; it was a real solution to a real problem.

Before launching the company, I had already been deeply involved in grassroots organizing through the Indivisible movement. I helped launch Indivisible in Michigan’s 11th District and organized town halls that brought out hundreds of people and featured elected officials from Senator Gary Peters to then-candidate Gretchen Whitmer. I saw firsthand how hungry people were for change—and how important it was to give that energy a direction and a brand.

In 2019, I took the leap and left my full-time job to grow The Guerrilla Politic. To date, we’ve supported over 200 campaigns and causes across the country, and our candidate clients boast a win rate above 60%, which I think is a testament to the power of combining creative design with data-driven strategy​. Every victory is not just a win for our team or our client, but a win for the community that gains a new champion in office.

We’ve also adjusted our impact to include progressive non-profits as well giving them the tools and techniques to help them be more sustainable, raise money, and reach more audiences. So far we’ve worked with organizations who run the gamut from social justice to economic development in previously disinvested communities.

This work is about disrupting the status quo and redefining who gets to lead. And it started with one simple question: What if we brought the same level of creative firepower used to sell soda and sneakers to the people fighting for justice, equity, and democracy? That’s the heart of The Guerrilla Politic. And it’s what makes this work so powerful—and so personal—for me.

Adrienne, 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?

I’m a proud single parent, an artist and muralist, a political podcaster, and the founder of The Guerrilla Politic. My path into this industry has been anything but ordinary. I actually began my career in the corporate advertising world​. However, after the 2016 election, I felt a profound calling to use my creative skills for something more meaningful. I realized that the same storytelling and design strategies that sell products could be harnessed to inspire social change and uplift voices that aren’t always heard. That realization set me on a new, purpose-driven course. I had spent years building billion-dollar brands for other companies, but now I wanted to build a better democracy.

What started as just me doing freelance design for local campaigns has grown into a full-fledged communications and marketing agency with nine employees. We provide everything from branding and messaging to social media strategy and ad campaigns – whatever it takes to help progressive candidates and organizations raise awareness, win elections, and grow their influence. Our mission has always been to empower those historically underrepresented in politics – women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ folks – to step up and run for office. I know firsthand how daunting it can be to break into spaces that weren’t built with you in mind, so we make it our job to level that playing field.

One thing that truly sets The Guerrilla Politic apart is our mission-first, people-centered approach. We don’t operate like a traditional ad agency chasing profits; instead, every project we take on is about furthering a cause or uplifting a community. We consider ourselves partners in our clients’ fights. That means we work collaboratively with the candidate or organization, often mentoring first-time candidates through the process. We’re also very equity-driven, and we center our client’s lived experiences in every strategy. And we aren’t afraid to be innovative and bold. We’ll propose unconventional ideas if it helps a message stick, whether that’s crafting a quirky viral video or creating a mural in a neighborhood to spark excitement. I bring an artist’s eye to political strategy – blending creativity with activism is kind of our secret sauce. This unique approach has earned us the trust of some remarkable partners and clients. We’ve collaborated with major advocacy organizations like ACLU Michigan, Michigan Voices, and Planned Parenthood on campaigns to protect and expand reproductive freedom in Michigan. And we’ve helped trailblazing leaders such as Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow and Mayor Stephanie Terry of Evansville, Indiana, get their message out and connect with voters. We’ve worked with organizations from equitable economic development to disability rights to criminal justice reform and everything in between.

I’m proud that our work doesn’t just look good – it means something. Some of our projects have been recognized with industry awards, including Telly Awards, Addy Awards, and Pixie Awards. But what I’m most proud of isn’t a trophy or even a high-profile client; it’s watching a once-overlooked issue gain public support because our campaign helped people pay attention. Those moments are why I do this work.

Beyond the campaigns, I’ve kept my identity as an artist front and center. I’m an illustrator and muralist as well, and I’ve found ways to pour that creativity into my political work. I also co-host a political podcast called “Point of Disorder,” where we tackle current events and policy debates with humor and heart. It’s yet another way I try to inform and inspire people to get involved. Looking ahead, my vision is to continue harnessing art, strategy, and storytelling to reshape the face of our democracy. I believe deeply in the power of bold, inclusive leadership, and I want to help build the sustainable campaign infrastructure to support it – so that good people from all backgrounds not only run for office, but also have the tools to win and lead effectively. After 8 years, I still wake up every day excited to fight for a more just and inclusive world. As a single mom, that drive is also personal – I want to create a better future for my own children and for the next generation.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the most defining moments of my journey—and a true test of my resilience—came during the pandemic. At the start of lockdown, I was newly divorced, living on a mattress in my cousin’s basement, and facing more uncertainty than I’d ever imagined. I was a single mom, trying to protect my kids, keep my business alive, and navigate a world that suddenly felt upside down. There were nights I lay awake wondering if we were going to make it—emotionally, financially, or even physically. It was terrifying.

At the same time, the political landscape was shifting rapidly. Campaigns were shutting down or scrambling to adapt. Everything went digital, and many candidates didn’t know how to pivot. Thankfully, being fully remote was something I’d already built into The Guerrilla Politic, and that allowed us to move quickly. I eventually set up a home base and got to work helping our clients find creative, nimble ways to reach voters and donors. We didn’t just survive—we innovated.

But behind the scenes, it was exhausting. I became a full-time teacher during the day, guiding my kids through virtual school like so many other parents. Once they were asleep, I’d work from 8:30 PM to 2 AM to stay on top of client demands and keep the business running. It felt like I was burning the candle at both ends and in the middle—but I refused to let it all fall apart. That chapter taught me just how much strength I had and how powerful we can be when we lead with purpose.

Looking back, it wasn’t just a moment of survival—it was a transformation. That season forced me to rebuild everything from the ground up, personally and professionally. It reminded me why I started this work in the first place: to create something that could bend and flex in difficult times, to help people rise even in chaos, and to show my kids—and myself—what resilience really looks like.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

My biggest piece of advice for managing a team and keeping morale high is simple: put people first—always. From the very beginning, I knew I didn’t want to build just another agency; I wanted to build a community. One where creatives, strategists, and organizers felt valued, supported, and inspired to do their best work. Eight years ago, it was just me—and now we’re a team of nine strong. That growth didn’t happen because we chased profit; it happened because we invested in people.

We’ve built a company culture rooted in connection, collaboration, and care. We do regular lunch-and-learns to keep learning together, and monthly one-on-one check-ins so every team member feels seen and heard. We offer fair pay and benefits because I believe creative and campaign work should be sustainable—not exploitative. And even though we’re remote, we find ways to show up for each other. Because this work is intense, and none of us can do it alone.

I’m not in it for the money. I’m in it to build power with people who care deeply about justice, equity, and impact. And that includes the people on my team. I make it a point to remind them that their work matters—not just because of the results we get for clients, but because of the integrity and heart they bring to it every day. I think when people feel like they belong, like their voice matters, and like their work has purpose, the morale takes care of itself.

At The Guerrilla Politic, our people are truly at the forefront of what we do—both the ones we serve and the ones behind the scenes making it all happen. When your team believes in the mission, and knows they’re supported both professionally and personally, they’ll move mountains. I’ve seen it happen again and again.

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Contact Info:

• Website: www.theguerrillapolitic.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/theguerrillapolitic
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/theguerrillapolitic
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/72550142
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@theguerrillapolitic
• Other: https://bsky.app/profile/guerrillapolitic.bsky.social

Image Credits
Dan Moen, www.dijurimedia.com