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

Kevin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission is to help small businesses, especially restaurants and bars, stand out with thoughtful, cohesive brand strategy and brand identity design. I started Happy Hour after spending ten years in the restaurant industry, where I saw firsthand how much a strong brand influences success.

A restaurant is never just about food and drinks—it’s about how people feel when they walk in, the sense of belonging they experience, and whether the space gives them something memorable to come back to. In an industry where choices are endless and competition is fierce, a clear and authentic brand can be the deciding factor that turns first-time visitors into regulars.

Over the years, I watched too many great places close their doors, and not because the food wasn’t good, but because the owners hadn’t invested in building their brand beyond a logo. That realization stuck with me. I launched Happy Hour to give small business owners the tools and strategy they need to create brands that people connect with, remember, and choose again and again.

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

Happy Hour is a branding and design agency dedicated to helping restaurants and bars craft experiences that truly resonate. A strong brand is so much more than a catchy logo or trendy color palette—it’s the atmosphere you cultivate, the story you tell, and the way you make your guests feel.

My journey to this work started in hospitality. I got my start bussing tables at Pi in the Delmar Loop (St. Louis), back when it was at its peak. That job opened my eyes to the power of branding—Pi wasn’t just a pizza place; it was a vibe, and that intentional curation made it unforgettable. From there, I spent years behind the bar at some of St. Louis’ best spots, like The Royale, Taste, and Juniper. As a mixologist, I saw how much of the guest experience went beyond the cocktail—it was about connection, consistency, and story.

Like many in hospitality, I eventually burned out on the late nights and weekends, but I knew I wasn’t done with the industry. I went back to school, earned my degree in marketing and advertising at UMSL, and transitioned into creative work full-time. First, I managed community engagement for a local restaurant group, then moved into a digital marketing agency where I helped build out a dedicated branding department. That’s where I realized my passion wasn’t just design—it was strategy. I loved helping businesses uncover what made them unique and building brand systems that allowed them to communicate it clearly and consistently.

After 15 years of blending my love of hospitality with branding and design, I launched Happy Hour in 2024. Today, we help bars and restaurants (and businesses in other industries) define their identity, refine their story, and create marketing that resonates across every touchpoint—from their social media presence to their websites and in-person experiences.

What sets Happy Hour apart is that I’ve lived it. I know what it’s like to be behind the bar on a busy Saturday night, just as much as I know the ins and outs of digital marketing and design. That dual perspective allows me to create brands that don’t just look good, but that feel authentic to the owners, the staff, and the guests who walk through the door.

What I’m most proud of is that Happy Hour is the culmination of everything I love—hospitality, design, storytelling, and strategy. Every project is an opportunity to help a business not only stand out in a crowded industry but also connect with their community in a meaningful way.

If there’s one thing I’d want people to know about Happy Hour, it’s this: we’re here to help you tell your story in a way that feels real, memorable, and impossible to ignore.

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

After spending 4 years at a marketing agency and starting/developing the branding department, I was furloughed due to company restructuring and leadership decisions that deprioritized brand strategy. I was crushed. I had spent a year building out the branding department and had success building brands for several clients within the first few months of launching. I thought “welp, if they don’t understand the importance or value of brand, I’ll just do it myself.” I started Happy Hour the next week. (Brand Strategy is now one of the aforementioned agency’s main offerings)

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My cofounder/business partner is my wife, Mary. We met on Hinge, and instantly connected over our creative passions. She actually came up with the name “Happy Hour” and has been my rock (and sounding board) ever since. She also works in the creative marketing space, so we are constantly solving problems together and helping with each others’ projects.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.happyhourbranding.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyhour.branding/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happyhourbranding
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/101698863/admin/dashboard/

Image Credits

Jason Gonelson (https://www.nohiddenpath.com/)