We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cassie Brkich a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cassie, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear your thoughts about making remote work effective.

My remote work story is a little different than most. I started my business in 2005 and have been remote since the beginning. I started as the sole designer, working alone for about eight years, but as I hired, we always worked remotely.

Being remote from the beginning allowed us to create a base of organization. We can’t just walk to each other‘s desks and drop a file to work on. We have been able to put systems and processes in place so that anyone in our company can access files they need for a project-locally or even internationally.

Before Covid, potential clients saw this as a negative and hesitated to hire us. But since Covid, it’s obviously a much easier sell. Since we have been doing it from the beginning, we use it as a selling point over our competitors. Our work is organized to the T because we have to and always have had to do it that way!

Creating a team culture remotely takes extra work, but our operations manager creates fun exercises with our team meetings and even a secret Santa gift exchange at the holidays.

A few of us have met from time to time in person, but several of us have never even met each other face-to-face. We hope to have a team retreat at some point though!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Brkich Design Group is a creative agency specializing in branding, web design and development, and marketing based in Beaver, Pennsylvania. I started this business suddenly in 2005 when my whole department was dissolved at my corporate design job. I called my husband ecstatically because I knew I would start my business immediately! I didn’t even want to wait to register a company name so I just chose my last name!

It wasn’t too many years into my business when I realized my love for small towns and community could actually be the main value of my company! I began building the business with a passion for helping small businesses and community-driven organizations stand out through great design and effective marketing. My journey into this industry began with a love for creativity and a desire to make professional design services more accessible to independent businesses that often get overlooked by larger agencies. My mother owned a small business when I was growing up, so small business was in my blood!

At Brkich Design Group, we specialize in logo design and branding, WordPress web design and development, and strategic marketing support for both digital and print projects. My team helps businesses craft unique brand identities, build functional and beautiful websites, and create cohesive marketing materials that make a real impact. My goal is to design work that not only looks great but also drives results—ensuring your brand is seen, understood, and remembered.

What sets us apart is our personalized approach and focus on community. I believe in getting to know our clients and their stories the creative solutions we deliver will truly reflect each organization’s values and goals. Our process is collaborative, supportive, and organized, making it easy for our clients to feel confident in every step of the branding and marketing journey. We don’t just create designs; we help businesses and organizations grow and succeed by connecting them to their audience in meaningful ways.

I’m most proud of the impact we’ve had on local businesses—whether it’s helping a small toy store build a standout brand or guiding a nonprofit through a complete refresh. Seeing my clients feel empowered and confident in their brand is what drives me every day. Our work has even earned multiple GDUSA design awards, which I’m honored to have received as recognition of our dedication to excellence.

At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to fostering vibrant communities. When companies work with us, they’re not just hiring a design firm—they’re partnering with a team that genuinely cares about their success and long-term growth.

One of the things we are really proud of is our approach to web design and development. Of course we partner with clients and handle everything needed during and after the development process, but we don’t keep them in the dark intentionally. A lot of web agencies lock clients out of their website and keep them jumping through hoops to get changes made to their site. We will make changes for clients, but we also empower them to learn how to do it if they would like. We don’t want them to feel beholden to us and paying us for the rest of their lives!

In addition to our design and web services, we’ve launched the Design and Thrive Podcast as a resource to help our clients and community grow their businesses with confidence. The podcast covers topics like branding, web design, marketing strategies, and social media, offering practical advice and actionable insights. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your approach, our episodes provide guidance and inspiration tailored to small businesses and nonprofits. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc or visit brkichdesign.com/design-thrive-podcast to explore all the episodes. It’s just another way we’re here to support our customers journey to success!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe my reputation has been built on my deep love and respect for community. I’ve always felt strongly about giving back, helping where I can, and connecting people with the resources or individuals who can support them—even if it’s not through my business directly. If we’re not able to help, I make it a priority to refer someone who can. I even have a recommended vendor directory within our project management tool so that I can easily recommend people when we don’t fit the bill!

That same spirit extends to my approach with peers and even direct competitors. I’ve always been open about how I run my business and happy to share insights, tools, and tips with others in the industry. I believe in community over competition—there’s more than enough space for all of us to thrive, and I’ve found that sharing knowledge only strengthens the creative community as a whole. My goal has always been to see businesses, both my own and others, grow and succeed together. I’ve sat down and had coffee with many of my direct competitors.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

Even after nearly 20 years in business, we’re still not immune to the natural ebb and flow of the market. There have been moments—more than I’d like to admit—where I’ve genuinely worried that the business wouldn’t make it. Times when payroll felt like a stretch, when projects dried up, or when I questioned whether we could keep going.

But every single time, something has come through to remind me we’re never out. Whether it’s a dream client showing up at just the right moment, an unexpected collaboration, or even a project that reignites my passion, the right opportunity always seems to find us. It’s taught me to trust the process, stay connected to my community, and keep showing up with integrity and hard work. I’ve learned that building a business is about resilience—staying open to possibilities, even when things feel uncertain. We’ve made it through every challenge so far, and I have no doubt we’ll continue to do so.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brkichdesign.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/brkichdesign
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/brkichdesign
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brkich-design-group/
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@brkichdesigngroup
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-and-thrive/id1781815061

Image Credits

Megan Sutherland
Alessa Yanssens
Cara Rufenacht