We were lucky to catch up with Christopher Noel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Christopher thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about growing your team – how did you recruit the first few people, what was the process like, how’d you go about training and if you were to start over today would you have done anything differently?

When I officially started my business, it was just me.

I handled everything from creative direction and photography to editing, project management, client communication, and administrative work. At that stage, the biggest challenge was not talent, it was capacity. I realized early on that if I wanted to grow sustainably while maintaining quality, I could not build the business the same way I was executing the work.

I approached growth very intentionally. I did not rush to hire. Instead, I focused on identifying gaps. I paid close attention to which tasks slowed the business down versus the work that truly required my expertise. That perspective shaped every decision that followed.

The first role I brought on was a photo editor. Rather than using a traditional recruiting process, I leaned into my professional and creative network. I reviewed portfolios carefully, evaluated consistency and turnaround time, and approached the process more as a skills and alignment assessment than a formal interview. Training was hands on and standards driven. I provided clear examples, established feedback loops, and set expectations upfront because protecting the brand and quality of work was non negotiable.

As the business continued to evolve, I moved toward a partnership based model rather than building a large employee structure. One of the most impactful relationships has been my partnership with King Design Solutions. That relationship was built on shared values, mutual respect, and a clear understanding of how our strengths complement one another. They pipeline clients who are in need of visual rebrands, and I focus on delivering the visual storytelling and creative direction.

What may be unconventional about my approach is that I prioritize buy in over resumes. I place a strong emphasis on ensuring that anyone I work with understands the vision, direction, and standards of the brand. The wrong person on your team, even a highly skilled one, can slow growth more than continuing to do the work yourself.

If I were starting today, I would not change the decision to begin solo, but I would delegate sooner. With experience came clarity. I now have a very clear understanding of where my highest value lies, which is creative direction, strategy, and relationship building. I would protect that time earlier in the process.

Ultimately, building the team was never about scaling quickly. It was about scaling intentionally. That philosophy continues to guide how I grow the business today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a creative director and visual strategist based in Atlanta, focused on helping individuals and established businesses clarify and elevate their brand through intentional visual storytelling.

My path into this work was shaped by both structure and creativity. I come from an Admin & HR background, which gave me a strong foundation in people, systems, and alignment. At the same time, I worked closely with public figures and creatives, supporting brand development, website creation, brand design, and overall presentation. Early on, I learned that strong brands are not built on talent alone but on clarity, consistency, and purpose.

When I officially launched 1154 Studios, those lessons became the foundation of my approach. I have had the opportunity, alongside Kimberly D. Worthy, to pitch a docufilm concept to industry associates connected to VH1, MTV, and TV One, which helped refine my perspective on storytelling and audience engagement.

Today, my work centers on visual branding through photography, creative direction, and storytelling. I help clients move from scattered or outdated visuals to cohesive branding that aligns with who they are and where they are going. What sets me apart is a strategic mindset that blends business understanding with creativity. I operate through trusted partnerships, including a collaboration with King Design Solutions, allowing me to support clients undergoing full visual rebrands.

What I am most proud of is building a brand rooted in intention, integrity, and growth. My work is never transactional. I focus on alignment, buy in, and long term impact, helping clients show up confidently and authentically across every touchpoint.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the most significant pivots in my life happened when I made the decision to leave a job I had been in for eight years. I was no longer feeling valued, and I knew staying would mean settling for less than I was capable of. Leaving was not an impulsive decision. I had contracts lined up through my business, which made the leap feel calculated rather than reckless. At the time, I believed I was stepping fully into my purpose.

A few months later, everything shifted. One of my clients passed away, and two others went out of business unexpectedly. Almost overnight, the stability I thought I had built disappeared. I found myself back on the job market, questioning my decisions and feeling like I had failed, not just professionally but personally.

That moment forced me to confront reality without self pity. I allowed myself to feel the disappointment, but I did not let it define me. I regrouped, found a job, and kept moving forward. I continued building my business while working, applying the lessons I had learned with more clarity and humility.

That experience taught me that pivots are not always glamorous. Sometimes they feel like setbacks, but they are actually recalibrations. I learned that resilience matters more than timing, and that success is not defined by never falling, but by how you respond when you do.

That pivot reshaped how I approach risk, stability, and growth. It made me more intentional, more grounded, and more appreciative of every step forward. Most importantly, it reinforced my belief that setbacks are not the end of the story. They are often the chapter that strengthens you for what comes next.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Your network is your net-worth. I tell people this all the time. It’s not what you know, but rather who you know. In life, connecting with the right people can catapult you into a total different stratosphere. As stated earlier, people don’t care about how great your product is, they want to know how it can benefit them. Most people buy into the brand, not the service itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.1154Studios.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/1154Studios

Image Credits
King Design Solutions