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

Hi Kirk, thanks for joining us today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution? How did you start your business?

I’ve always had a passion for design, stretching back to when I won my fifth-grade T-shirt design contest. I designed the T-shirts for my entire school, and I remember the sense of pride I felt seeing everyone wear my creation at graduation. This passion followed me into my teenage years; I was more interested in creating custom teams in Madden football or customizing cars in Need for Speed Underground than playing the games themselves.

While I was in college pursuing a music degree, I came home one weekend in October 2014 and had a pivotal lunch with my pastor. He pointed out how naturally design came to me and suggested that I should consider it as a potential career—not because I wasn’t good at music, but because he saw a talent and wanted me to lean into it further to see if anything is there. It was a revelation because I’d always seen design as just a hobby or something fun to do. His encouragement had a profound impact on me and made me realize I had a talent worth pursuing.

After that lunch, I went home, applied for an LLC, and quickly put together a basic portfolio website to showcase any work I had. By January 2015, I was all-in on my design business, KB Creative. The second half of my time in college was a balancing act between my studies and building my business. I wanted to ensure that by the time I graduated, I would have enough clients and projects to sustain me, giving me the flexibility to pursue both music and design and see which one stuck.

Looking back, I realize that without that conversation, I might not have taken the leap. I’m so grateful for the support from my pastor and my church, who believed in me and encouraged me to pursue this. It’s amazing how one conversation can change the course of your life.

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

Yes of course, so creativity has been at the core of my being since childhood. Whether it was art, music, or even small projects around the house, I have always been drawn to creating. This passion eventually led me to start my own branding and design business, KB Creative, where I work with clients to help them build unique and memorable brand identities.

What sets my approach apart is the understanding that effective branding is about much more than just a logo. It’s about creating a cohesive story that resonates with people. I find inspiration by learning about what matters most to my clients, how they work, what their goals are, and ultimately how they want people to feel. I believe that the emotions people experience when interacting with a business are the essence of its brand, and I’m privileged to help uncover and shape that from the moment we start working together.

I’ve worked with a wide range of clients over nearly a decade—from nonprofits and large corporations to small businesses, churches, and individuals, both locally and nationally. The goal has always been to create brand identities that stand out and make a lasting impression. I’ve found my niche in creating cohesive identities, ensuring that every element—logo, collateral, signage, packaging, social media, and more—aligns seamlessly.

I take pride in offering a comprehensive approach to branding. Instead of providing isolated design services, I offer complete brand identities because each piece is critical to the overall impression a business leaves on its audience. I believe in the importance of cohesion and consistency in branding, which is why I work closely with my clients to ensure their message is clear and compelling.

Running a business involves juggling many responsibilities. As much as business owners might appreciate good design, it’s not always their expertise—that’s where I come in. I’ve helped hundreds of businesses create identities that not only look great but also help drive the bottom line.

To me, design is about more than just graphics. It’s about telling your business’s story in a way that resonates with people. I love creating something beautiful that not only looks good but also has the power to attract and connect with people. It’s a challenging but incredibly rewarding process, and I’m here to help businesses that refuse to blend in create something that truly stands out.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

To build a good reputation in my market, I learned early on that there are two types of clients: Type A and Type B. Type A clients are the dream—they hire me for my style, creativity, and expertise. They say, “I trust you,” and that’s all I need to hear. It’s like they hand me the keys to their brand and say, “Drive!” That kind of trust makes the work enjoyable and allows me to build a portfolio I can be proud of.

Then there’s Type B, the kind who hire me because they have zero design skills but a whole lot of opinions. These clients don’t really want a designer; they just want someone to move the mouse while they dictate. It’s like they’re standing over my shoulder, telling me what to do, even when it’s a bad idea. If I suggest a different approach, they start giving me the “Well, I know what I want” talk. The problem with these clients is that they can seriously mess up your reputation. They’ll be out there showing off their DIY logo that looks like it was made with clipart, saying, “Look what Kirk Brown did!” and I’m over here cringing because I definitely didn’t do that.

After dealing with a few Type B clients, I knew I needed a better strategy. I started a “client compatibility” interview process to weed out the micro-managers and find those who genuinely wanted my expertise. If they didn’t trust my professional judgment, I’d politely pass them off to another designer who might be a better fit.

This new approach worked wonders for my reputation. I found myself with more Type A clients who trusted me to do my thing, which made the work fun again. Plus, it ensured that my portfolio reflected my best work, not someone’s “creative” vision involving Comic Sans and too many clipart images.

By setting up these guardrails, I managed to build a reputation for delivering high-quality and effective work without compromising my creative integrity. And honestly, it’s made my job so much more enjoyable. Because at the end of the day, I’m in the business of crafting impactful brand identities that impact people, drive success, and grow your business.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has been, without a doubt, word of mouth. The clients I work with are fantastic about recommending me to their friends and other business owners. When I deliver a standout brand identity, people start to take notice. They see the work I’ve done, and the first question they ask is, “Who did your branding?”

That’s the beauty of my work—it’s out there for everyone to see. Each client becomes a showcase of what I can do, and when the brand identity makes an impact, others want theirs to have the same level of quality. Advertising can only do so much, but when someone trusts a friend who says, “Hire Kirk, he’s the best,” you can’t put a price on that kind of endorsement. It’s genuine, it’s credible, and it brings in clients who already know they can expect top-notch results because they’ve seen the results.

Contact Info:

• Website: kirkbrowncreative.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbcreativeco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KB-Creative-Design-539622746170904/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirk-brown-610a78116/