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

Kreda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

Back in 2020, before I became a Brand Strategist and Designer, I was “just a graphic” designer and a t-shirt printer, raking in a whopping 4-figures creating graphics for my church (and other churches), creating graphics and printing t-shirts for other small organizations, and taking one-off jobs left and right. I thought things were looking up for me because I started to get design and t-shirt printing contracts, but then the pandemic happened. I was hit with a lot of canceled contracts, and I needed a lifeline.

Enter the mysterious email.

I received an email inviting me to a free masterclass that I thought was from an organization I was a part of. It was called Freedom Masterclass – discover the #1 reason why service-based entrepreneurs get stuck at $50K per year.” I wasn’t even close to making $50K, but I was like, “YES! Sign me up!” I had nothing to lose, right?

So, there I was, sitting in this virtual masterclass, looking around for familiar faces – but I didn’t see any. Not one! I found out later that there was one, though. But while sitting there, I was thinking, how could no one from the organization be a part of this free masterclass? Were they all beyond the $50K mark?

Nevertheless, the masterclass changed everything for me. I was blown away by the value provided by the coach — she was so authentic and knowledgeable that it piqued my interest even more.

I joined her workshop, learned to create a high-ticket framework, and had an epiphany. I wanted to be more than “just a graphic designer.” I wanted to be a Brand Strategist and Designer. I was “trying” to strategize with clients anyway, but they were treating me as though I was “just a graphic designer.”

All of that changed…

At first, I hesitated to invest in her coaching program. But after a bonus call with her, I took the leap, and it was the best decision I ever made! Working with her has helped me scale my business, and more importantly, it’s taught me the significance of aligning with the right coach. You need a coach or mentor who shares your values and vision.

While working with her, I’ve enhanced my skillset, took myself through the process that I take my clients, and here I am today.

I’ve gone from making 4-figures to earning 6-figures in just two and a half years! I’m still working with my coach, and I’m excited to see where our partnership takes me next!

So for anyone considering investing in a business coach or mentor, do it…take the leap — but make sure they align with your values and vision. It will change your life like it did mine.

Kreda, 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 Kreda McCullough, the mastermind behind Brand With Kreda. I partner with six and 7-figure Women Coaches and Consultants who also work with women to elevate their branding with a strategic approach beyond aesthetics to attract higher-caliber clients and lucrative opportunities for growth and scale.

I like to think of myself as the co-pilot on their branding journey of creating a brand that truly represents their unique essence and mission, the jester at the party making sure the process is fun and engaging, while at the same time, the creator, curating and shaping their brand’s vision and story.

My branding journey began when I was playing the graphic design game under my company, Mac GraphiX Media and Design (at the time). Sounds all fancy and business-like, right? Well, that’s what I thought too! I knew what Mac GraphiX represented, but I had no clue what “Media & Design” truly meant. I naively thought that just having my name, Kreda McCullough, and my designs out there would be enough to make my business take off. I didn’t have a clear understanding of what branding really meant.

I didn’t realize that I did have a brand, but it wasn’t the one I intentionally created. Instead, it was the perception people had of me based on how I presented my business and tried to show up in the world. My audience had created their own image of my brand based on the limited information I was sharing.

Even though I continued to re-create my brand visually over the years, I still wasn’t showing my authority. I’m an amazing designer with a degree, but that meant nothing in these online streets. I was still seen as just a graphic designer, meaning people didn’t take my advice. They wanted me to design and be quiet.

I had to take action.

I realized I needed more clarity in my branding journey. I enrolled in branding and brand strategy courses and started working with a business coach who understood my vision and goals.

Throughout this process, I learned not only about who I was as a business owner but also how I wanted to show up in the world, who I wanted to work with, and the niche I wanted to focus on. I went through an extensive brand makeover, which included both strategy and design, the process I take my clients through, and I had to confront some personal insecurities as I became the face of my brand, no longer hiding behind Mac GraphiX.

Now, having successfully branded Mac GraphiX and created Brand With Kreda, I can attract my ideal clients, my best clients, while staying true to my authentic self. I’ve found my calling in helping women coaches and consultants grow, scale, and elevate their brands so they, too, can attract the high-caliber clients and lucrative opportunities they deserve.

The lessons I’ve learned on my own branding journey and still learning because we’re always learning have empowered me to make a real difference and impact in the lives and businesses of my audience.

I provide brand strategy and identity services that translate my clients’ business vision into a cohesive, engaging brand narrative. I help decode the puzzle of what makes their brand unique, and I do this by combining the clarity of strategy with the magic of creativity, all with fun and light-heartedness, because who said business has to be all serious, right?

Now, what sets me apart? Well, I believe in creating brands that resonate not only with my client’s customers but with them too. Because let’s face it, if you’re not in love with your brand, how can you expect others to be? It’s like being the life of the party, if you’re having fun, it’s infectious, and everybody else wants in!

What am I most proud of? Each and every time a client sees their new brand identity, their face lights up, and they say, “Yes! This is ME!” or “I WANT THEM ALL!” That’s the magic moment I live for, the moment I know that I’ve helped someone translate their passion and purpose into a brand they are proud to stand behind.

What I want potential clients and fans to know is this – your brand is a powerful tool. It’s not just a pretty logo or a catchy tagline. It’s your story, your voice, and your unique essence that separates you from the crowd. And I’m here to help you discover it, shape it, and, yes, have fun along the way.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Growing my clientele has been like nurturing a garden. It takes patience, care, and the right mix of sunshine (strategy), and rain (creativity). But if you want me to pick out the star of the show, it’s got to be authentic connections.

In a world full of emojis and DMs, it’s easy to forget that there are real people behind those screens, real people with dreams, fears, and their own unique stories. And when I remembered this, when I started treating my clients not as business transactions but as friends, as part of my community, that’s when the magic happened.

I took the time to understand their journey, their needs, and what they desired from their brands. I made sure I was there to offer support, guidance, and, sometimes, a laugh to lighten the mood. In return, they brought me their trust and introduced me to more people looking for a brand partner.

So, what is the secret sauce to growing my clientele if you ask me? It’s all about making authentic, meaningful connections and treating clients like a part of the Brand With Kreda family. And let me tell you, there’s nothing more effective than some good ol’ fashioned human connection sprinkled with a humor and creativity. No flashy gimmicks or catchy jingles can beat that! I can create a catchy jingle, though. LOL!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Building a rock-solid reputation isn’t too different from creating a hit song! I don’t just hit the right notes; we create an unforgettable melody.

First on our tracklist: Consistency. It’s like the rhythm of a song – steady and persistent, driving the track. Just like a band’s or artist’s signature sound that keeps fans coming back, I’ve ensured that my brand strikes the same consistent chords, whether delivering top-notch designs, crystal-clear strategy, or simply responding to inquiries pretty quickly. In a music festival of the digital world, being consistent is like having your own contagious beat that people can’t help but groove to.

Next up, Authenticity. It’s like the soulful vocals in your favorite song that speak right to your emotions. Now, I’m not saying I can sing like Beyonce, but hey, I’ve never been afraid to be my own kind of ‘vocal’ – quirky, creative, and all heart. And just like that catchy chorus you can’t get out of your head, this genuine, me-being-me vibe resonates with people. It’s a way to show I’m more than just another face in the crowd but a true partner in their branding journey.

Last but certainly not least: Hard work. It’s the time spent rehearsing before a performance, or in my case, dedicatedly fine-tuning every branding project until it’s pitch-perfect. Success isn’t always a one-hit-wonder; it’s about putting on a fun, engaging, and energetic performance every single time. And trust me, when the crowd sees you giving your all on the stage, they’ll not only applaud but give a standing ovation too!

Building a reputation isn’t as easy as belting out a karaoke song, but with the right mix of dedication, personality, and dancing to your own unique beat, you’re all set to be a star on the ‘brand’ stage!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brandwithkreda.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/brandwithkreda
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/brandwithkreda
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/kredamccullough
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/brandwithkreda
• Other: Please give credit to McBoat Photography on all of my pictures

Image Credits
McBoat Photography