We recently connected with Mercedes Sykes and have shared our conversation below.

Mercedes, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

Honestly, The Branding Link started from me simply wanting to help people show up better. I’ve always been a creative at heart — the friend who could take a rough idea and turn it into something polished and full of life. Over time, I realized how many business owners had amazing products and stories, but struggled to connect their brand to their audience in a way that really landed. That’s when it clicked for me. The issue wasn’t talent or hustle, it was the missing link between their vision and how it showed up in the world. So I built The Branding Link to become exactly that — the bridge between creativity and clarity. I wanted to help entrepreneurs build brands that look good, feel aligned, and actually convert. In the beginning, it was just me, my laptop, and a lot of late nights filled with design, strategy, and learning how to turn passion into process. The more I worked with clients, the more it confirmed that this wasn’t just a skillset, it was purpose. Every brand I touched started seeing real growth, and that’s when I knew this was a worthwhile path. I believed that if I could blend storytelling, strategy, and design together, I could help people turn their ideas into thriving brands. The logic behind it was simple: connection sells. People don’t just buy from logos. They buy from stories, from feelings, from brands that get them. I knew if I stayed true to that and led with authenticity, creativity, and intention, The Branding Link would always stand out. Now, it’s grown into so much more than a creative agency but a movement for brands ready to find their voice, elevate their visuals, and bridge the gap between where they are and where they’re meant to be.

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’m Mercedes, the creative force and founder behind The Branding Link — a full-service brand development and digital marketing agency built to help entrepreneurs, small businesses, and brands look good, sound good, and stand out. My journey into this world started naturally. I’ve always had an eye for aesthetics and a heart for storytelling. What began as helping friends and small businesses clean up their social media pages or create flyers turned into a realization — so many talented people had great ideas but struggled to present them in a way that truly connected. They weren’t lacking passion, they were just missing the link between their vision and how it showed up to the world. That’s when I knew I could fill that gap — and The Branding Link was born. Today, we offer a full range of creative services including brand strategy, visual identity design, social media management, content creation, marketing campaigns, and even virtual assistant services for business owners who need that extra layer of support. I like to say we help brands not only look the part but also perform the part. What sets us apart is our blend of strategy and soul. We don’t just create pretty visuals — we build connection. I take time to really understand my clients’ stories, their audiences, and their goals so that every piece of content, every logo, every caption actually aligns with their bigger vision.Today, we offer a full range of creative services including brand strategy, visual identity design, social media management, content creation, marketing campaigns, and even virtual assistant services for business owners who need that extra layer of support. I like to say we help brands not only look the part but also perform the part.

At its core, The Branding Link is about bridging the gap between creativity and execution, between passion and profit. I want people to know that when they work with me, they’re not just getting design or content — they’re getting partnership, strategy, and a brand that finally feels right. It’s creative direction with intention. Every color, word, and photo has a purpose. I’m most proud of the transformations, not just in the brands, but in the confidence of the people behind them. Watching clients go from uncertain to fully owning their brand identity is the best part of what I do. It’s about helping them see themselves the way the world should see them, as the expert, the vibe, and the brand they’ve always envisioned.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was thinking I had to do everything myself to prove I was capable. When I first started The Branding Link, I was in full hustle mode — designing, creating content, managing clients, sending invoices, and handling every little detail behind the scenes. I wore that independence like a badge of honor because I thought doing everything on my own meant I was “really doing it.” But what I didn’t realize was that trying to handle it all was keeping me in survival mode, not success mode. I used to think asking for help or automating parts of my process meant I was slacking, but it actually meant I was scaling. I had to unlearn the idea that being capable meant carrying it all myself. Now, I’ve built systems and workflows that support me — from client management and scheduling to content organization and communication. Those systems became my silent team.

Once I let go of the need to “prove” I could do everything, I started creating more space for creativity, clarity, and growth. I learned that structure brings freedom — and that sometimes, the smartest way to grow isn’t by adding more to your plate, but by building systems that allow you to move smarter, not harder.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is watching an idea come to life — seeing something that started as a simple thought, mood-board, or conversation transform into a full brand that people connect with. There’s a kind of magic in that process that never gets old. I love knowing that my creativity helps others see themselves differently — more confidently, more clearly, more boldly. When a client says, “This finally feels like me,” that’s the moment that makes it all worth it. It’s not just about colors, logos, or captions — it’s about helping people step into their identity and own their presence in a way they couldn’t before. The other part that’s deeply rewarding is the freedom. As a creative, I get to constantly reinvent, experiment, and express. No two projects are ever the same, and that keeps me inspired. Every brand I touch tells a new story, and being trusted to bring that story to life is something I’ll never take for granted.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thebrandinglink.com
• Instagram: thebranding_link
• Facebook: The Branding Link
• Linkedin: Mercedes Sykes