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

Megan, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission with Olive Ridley Studios is to shape the future of commerce by transforming small businesses into well-loved brands. It’s optimistic and a bit audacious, but small businesses are the lifeblood of communities, and they face significant challenges trying to stand out in a crowded marketplace—especially when competing against big corporations with deep pockets.

I’ve seen firsthand how a strong, cohesive brand can turn a business into a beloved community fixture. For me, it’s more than just aesthetics; it’s about forming an emotional connection between a brand and its customers. This connection fosters loyalty, drives engagement, and ultimately leads to business growth and longevity.

This mission is meaningful to me because I believe in the potential of small businesses to make big waves, aka to make an impact. When these businesses thrive, they contribute to their communities’ economic and social fabric. By providing them with the tools and expertise to build strong brands, I’m helping to create a more vibrant, diverse, and equitable marketplace.

In essence, my mission is about empowerment. It’s about giving small businesses the confidence and capability to tell their stories, connect with their customers, and stand out in a meaningful way. This mission fuels my passion, creativity, and commitment to excellence in every project I undertake.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Megan, a brand experience designer and the creative force behind Olive Ridley Studios—the branding agency on a mission to transform small businesses into well-loved brands. I work with passionate small business owners and industry disruptors to create brand identities, branded spaces, packaging, custom merch, and more. The goal is always to create a brand that’s as unique and authentic as the person behind it.

One of my favorite parts about small business branding is the people behind the brands. Nine times out of ten, they’re building a business near and dear to their heart. After spending a decade designing for corporate America and never feeling completely fulfilled by my work, I’ve found my place doing what I love (design) while helping others achieve their goals and reach their dreams.

I know firsthand that being a small business doesn’t mean having small aspirations. If you have big goals for your small business, your size shouldn’t keep you from achieving them, and your branding certainly shouldn’t stand in your way. Unique and cohesive visual branding is often the missing link between where you are today and where you want to go, but with the right pieces in place, I truly believe every small business can become a well-loved brand.

Because I serve small businesses, I’m constantly reevaluating how I serve clients and am always looking for new ways to meet people where they are. I’m proud of this effort, and thanks to that ever-evolving discovery process, I’m able to do things a bit differently from most design agencies. I currently offer done-for-you and done-with-you branding services, and plan on launching done-by-you digital resources soon.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

I do have multiple income streams through Olive Ridley Studios. Small creative businesses need to diversify, and one way I’ve been able to do that is through printing and production services. These services are a perfect fit for the type of design work I specialize in. By acting as a print broker and a promotional products distributor, I can help my clients with projects from inception to completion. This streamlines the process for my clients and creates supplemental income for my business—a classic win-win.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I love this question. There are so many great books on these topics. My reading list is currently full of books that have been recommended to me by other entrepreneurs, but here are a few that have been instrumental along my journey so far:

1. Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller. This book completely changed how I think about marketing. It also serves as a simple, step-by-step guide to craft your brand story. Learn to position your customer as the hero and clarify your message.

2. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. This book helped me learn how to manage my business finances and ensure I actually earn a profit from the business I’m working so hard to build.

3. The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier. There’s a lot to learn from this book about managing relationships and leading with questions. It’s a great read, even if you don’t consider yourself a coach.

4. Deep Work by Cal Newport. Cal’s exploration into working deeply helped me shake off a lot of old corporate mentalities. It will make you question your routines and might even inspire you to change how you work.

5. The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni. I haven’t even finished reading it yet, but it’s already changing how I think about structuring teams and individual roles.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oliveridleystudios.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliveridleystudios/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oliveridleystudios
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/68980315/
• Other: Blog: https://oliveridleystudios.substack.com/