The Fearless Blueprint: How Branding Helps Your Business Grow
From the Founder
One of the philosophies I subscribe to in business (but also life) is the First Pancake theory Essentially, it goes like this: When you make pancakes, there is a HIGH likelihood that the first one is going to be less than perfect. Many times it’s going to be ugly, somehow both undercooked and overcooked at the same time, probably folded on at least one edge, maybe edible You get the idea Very rarely is it going to be a perfect, beautiful, round, golden pancake But the more pancakes we make, the better they are.
This is true for anything new that we try. The first time we do anything, there’s a HIGH likelihood that it’s going to be less than perfect But the next one will be better, and the next one after that will be even better than the first two, and so on
There’s some kind of magic that happens when we remember the First Pancake. It creates this experimental mindset that lets us push past the fear of being less than perfect so we can just start We get unstuck and maybe even a little brave
The theme for this issue of Riot Magazine is Fearless Experimentation Inside you’re going to read stories of what it means to experiment in business without letting the need for perfection hold you back If you don’t already subscribe to the First Pancake theory, I encourage you to start today. You never know what that second and third and tenth pancake might be like. I challenge you to stick around and find out
Go make some pancakes, my friend See what’s on the other side ��
Erica Nash Founder, Riot Creative Studio
The Fearless Blueprint: How Branding Helps Your Business Grow
As a business owner, you know that growth is the goal, but hitting a growth ceiling can leave you feeling stuck and unsure of how to break through to the next level. The truth is, one key to smashing through that plateau often lies in a powerful tool: strategic branding.
At Riot Creative Studio, we believe fearless creativity isn’t about being loud for the sake of it. It’s about embracing curiosity and experimentation to craft thoughtful, intentional solutions that transform how your business is perceived. Here’s how branding can help you break through plateaus and open the floodgates to new opportunities.
The Problem with Playing It Safe
When businesses plateau, one reason is often because their branding no longer reflects where they are or where they want to go Perhaps your current brand feels dated, your messaging is unclear, or you’re failing to attract the right clients Whatever the reason, safe branding can’t cut through the noise in today’s crowded markets
Bold branding, on the other hand, pushes boundaries in a way that resonates with your audience It challenges assumptions, stands out in your industry, and creates a magnetic connection with your ideal clients It’s not just about turning heads it’s about making people stop, look, and feel like your brand was made just for them.
What Makes Branding Bold?
Fearless branding isn’t random or risky but strategic. At Riot Creative Studio, we define bold branding by three key characteristics:
Clarity and Confidence: A bold brand knows who it is and communicates that unapologetically This means refining your messaging, visuals, and overall presence to tell a cohesive, powerful story
Intentional Design: Boldness doesn’t mean chaotic or over-the-top It’s about using creativity and design intentionally to reflect your vision, values, and goals
Connection with Your Audience: The best brands aren’t just seen, they’re felt Bold branding creates an emotional connection that builds trust, inspires loyalty, and sparks action.
“Fearless branding isn’t random or risky but strategic.”
How Branding Helps Your Business Grow
Does this sound like you? You’re running a business that’s grown steadily, but lately, progress has slowed Your brand, while functional, no longer feels aligned with the leader you’ve become or the clients you want to attract You’re spending too long putting marketing assets together, and even when you do, they’re not visuals or materials you’re excited to share It feels disconnected and a little chaotic You know there’s untapped potential, but your messaging and visuals aren’t doing the heavy lifting they need to
Now picture this transformation: With a bold rebrand, your business goes from being “one of many” to a standout in your industry. You feel fully connected to your branding, which is now easy to use. Your visuals are striking and memorable, instantly communicating your values and expertise. Your messaging resonates so clearly with your ideal clients that they’re not just interested, they’re ready to invest.
Suddenly, your brand isn’t just something you’re proud to share, it’s a tool that actively drives growth. You’re attracting the right audience, commanding premium pricing, and confidently stepping into your role as an industry leader. That’s the power of fearless, strategic branding.
The Bold Branding Process at Riot Creative Studio
When you work with Riot, bold branding is about strategic transformation. Our process is designed to ensure your brand aligns with your vision and helps to position your business for growth:
Discovery and Strategy: We start by digging deep into your business, goals, and audience. This foundation ensures every decision we make is intentional and impactful.
Creative Exploration: With a fearless, collaborative mindset, we experiment with creative concepts that challenge the ordinary and make your brand unforgettable
Execution with Excellence: From visuals to messaging, we bring your brand to life in a way that sets you apart from competitors and connects with your audience
If your brand feels stuck, outdated, or out of sync with your business, it’s time to embrace boldness. At Riot Creative Studio, we specialize in creating fearless, strategic brands that help businesses break through growth ceilings and reach their full potential.
Ready to stop playing it safe and start making an impact? Let’s talk. Together, we’ll build a brand that has the potential to position your business for unstoppable growth.
Revive + Thrive Telehealth is a virtual clinic focused on holistic health. The goal was to give this brand an upscale spa feel that brought in a rich, warm color palette and wellness-focused lifestyle visuals. This brand was designed in partnership with Sydney Simpson Digital.
How Fearless Are You? A 2-Minute Quiz to Find Your Fearless Experimentation Persona
�� Pick the answer that best describes you, tally up your points, and reveal your fearless experimentation persona at the end!
1. When it comes to making changes in your business, you:
A. Jump in headfirst if it doesn’t work, I’ll tweak it later! (4 points)
B Plan carefully before making any big moves (3 points)
C Hesitate but eventually make small changes (2 points)
D. Stick with what works I like consistency! (1 point)
2. You get a bold, unconventional idea for your business. What do you do?
A Try it immediately why not? (4 points)
B. Test it on a small scale first. (3 points)
C Sit on it for a while before deciding (2 points)
D Overthink it and likely never try it (1 point)
3. Your friend dares you to try a completely new approach in your business. You:
A. Already did it before they even dared me! (4 points)
B Accept the challenge but with some strategy (3 points)
C Maybe try it but only in a low-stakes way (2 points)
D Nope My business approach is set in stone (1 point)
4. A potential customer says they love your work, but your approach is "too different." What’s your reaction?
A. Perfect! That means I’m standing out! (4 points)
B I take their feedback into consideration, but I won’t compromise my vision (3 points)
C. I wonder if I should adjust my approach. (2 points)
D I immediately start thinking about how to make my business more mainstream (1 point)
5. What’s your approach to evolving your business?
A Rip the band-aid off and make the big change NOW! (4 points)
B Research, strategize, then execute step by step (3 points)
C. Make small updates over time no drastic shifts. (2 points)
D My business has looked the same for years, and I like it that way (1 point)
6. You’re asked to collaborate on a wild, unexpected project. You:
A Say YES immediately sounds fun! (4 points)
B Ask for details before committing, but I’m interested (3 points)
C Feel nervous but might consider it (2 points)
D. Politely decline unexpected projects stress me out. (1 point)
RESULTS: WHAT'S YOUR FEARLESS EXPERIMENTATION PERSONA?
⚡ 20-24 Points: The Creative Daredevil You take bold risks and love shaking things up! You thrive on experimentation and aren’t afraid to fail forward.
Challenge: Try a business experiment this week test a new service, tweak your workflow, or introduce something unexpected!
⚡ 15-19 Points: The Strategic Explorer You love experimenting, but you do it with a well-thought-out plan You take calculated risks that align with your goals.
Challenge: Step outside your comfort zone and test something spontaneous in your business without over-planning!
⚡ 10-14 Points: The Reluctant Innovator You want to experiment but often hesitate. You might need a little push to step into fearless creativity.
Challenge: Pick ONE area of your business where you’ve been playing it safe and make a tiny tweak
⚡ 6-9 Points: The Safety Seeker You like consistency and tend to play it safe. While this has kept your business steady, a little fearless experimentation could open exciting new doors.
Challenge: Try a thought experiment. Imagine what it might be like to do something different and play it a little less safe. What’s one step you can take to be a little closer to that thought experiment?
Zainatain//LeighScott
When I decided to shift Zainatain from just web design and development to a focus on Conversion Rate Optimization, I knew it was a risk Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) is widely used in large corporations but almost unheard of among small and mid-sized businesses It’s an industry built around massive datasets, A/B testing at scale, and highly specialized teams making it feel exclusive to businesses with deep pockets and high traffic. But I saw a gap: small businesses could benefit from the same optimization strategies if they were framed in a way that worked for them.
That’s where the challenge began. Not only did I need to educate business owners on the value of website optimization, but I also had to shift the way we positioned it. Many businesses assume
that improving their website is just about design changes or better SEO (both very important), but continuous growth comes when you incorporate understanding customer behavior, removing friction, and making strategic improvements. However, without large datasets, the typical CRO playbook wasn’t an option. We had to create a framework that worked with smaller data sets, layered in qualitative insights, and accounted for the nuances of each business.
To solve this, we developed our Website Optimization Analysis, a personalized roadmap that helps businesses make informed changes without needing thousands of data points. Instead of relying solely on A/B testing, we blend behavioral analytics, heatmaps/session recordings, customer feedback, and industry best practices to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and what will likely have the biggest impact. But CRO isn’t always a clear-cut roadmap it’s about making educated guesses, implementing changes, and continuously iterating based on what we learn. Businesses also needed to understand that ROI from CRO isn’t always instant; it’s about making strategic shifts over time to improve the customer journey and, ultimately, conversions.
This shift wasn’t just about launching a new service it required a complete rethinking of how we talked
about website growth. We had to bridge the gap between data and creativity, demonstrating how customer psychology, messaging, and usability all play a role in conversion success. It also meant helping them see CRO not as a one-time project but as an ongoing process, one that evolves as industries, customer expectations, and technology change.
To scale this effort, I also made another big move: I hired someone to help refine our processes so we could deliver at a higher level. Bringing her into the business allowed us to create more efficient workflows, dig deeper into the unique challenges each client faced, and ensure that every website optimization strategy was both data-driven and creatively executed.
The outcome? We’ve helped businesses that once felt overwhelmed by website strategy take clear, strategic actions that drive growth By making website optimization more accessible, we’ve been able to give small businesses the same strategic advantages that big corporations rely on
This experience reinforced a key lesson: just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it can’t be reimagined The risk of repositioning CRO for small businesses has paid off, proving that with the right approach, optimization is for everyone not just for companies with unlimited resources
HarmonixMedia//DarrellStevens
I'm Darrell Stevens, and I spent a few decades of my career working for others Then, as so many have experienced, I became an unexpected member of the unemployed club Wait That wasn't one of my career goals Now what?
I tried for a couple of years to find a job within my somewhat limited niche of "Director of Production" for another company, but the opportunities were slim to none. Then it hit me. It appeared that, rather than doing a complete career pivot and learning a new skillset, my best option was to start my own business.
Well, that thought sort of terrified me a little. I've always "worked for the man", never for myself. It
would be an understatement to say that starting a company with this many candles on my birthday cake would be a huge risk But I did it anyway
Boom! I’m an entrepreneur! I chose to take what I’d learned over those many years honing my skills and leading others in the production of video content and offer my services to small business owners, medical providers, manufacturers, corporations and more
Over the years, I had developed relationships with some incredible videographers, producers, animators, voiceover artists and other creatives, and I put together production and editing service packages to help my clients achieve their content creation goals and share their stories with the world.
Sure, I could have given up and settled for a minimum wage job. And the thought of running my own business didn’t sound easy. It isn’t. And it didn’t sound like a quick way to make money. It isn’t. But I can tell you that the flexibility and freedom it has afforded me is one of the best things I’ve experienced in my career. But that still isn’t my biggest source of satisfaction. It isn’t my “why”.
At the end of the day, I get the greatest satisfaction from the people that I’m helping, and the
relationships I’ve been blessed with through this experience. I love partnering with my clients in bringing their videos, podcasts, audio newsletters, and other content to life. I love consulting with them to improve their recording setups and providing best practices and recommendations.
While this adventure has definitely made me push my comfort zone boundaries, I decided to push them a bit further and start a YouTube channel. I’d spent so much time behind the camera and in darkened editing rooms, that I decided to get in FRONT of the camera and share some of my knowledge to help people make better videos themselves. I launched Video Like a Dad, where I create tutorial videos and share production and editing tips on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn. And now I have “The Video Dadcast”, my version of a podcast featuring special guests. Just search for @videolikeadad.
Do I feel bold and fearless? Maybe not But I sure am glad I took some risks How about you? Are you ready?
SonshineDesignsofTexas//DeAnnaRamos
After spending 23 years in education, I boldly chose to become self-employed I started my embroidery business, Sonshine Designs of Texas, using an inherited home embroidery machine that was 15+ years old Digitally speaking, it was outdated 10+ years ago, but I was able to use designs that were saved on a USB drive to learn how to machine embroidery I worked on projects in the evening after working through the day with my husband in his knife making business and doing chores on our small Texas ranch. This led to opening an Etsy shop and sharing my adventure on Facebook. While this does not seem like a bold move, it was out of my area of expertise. I had never taken business classes. Advertising was the last thing I was knowledgeable about, and attempting to gain a following on social media terrified me! But with encouragement from my husband and daughter, Erica Nash of Riot Creative Studio, I fearlessly stepped out of my comfort zone and started my small business Sonshine Designs of Texas was born
Quickly, we found that my small machine could not perform some of the services that customers were requesting. This led to the boldest move yet; the purchase of a commercial machine. I am proud to say that my business has quickly grown and I am able to offer custom embroidery work, as well as personal designs, to be stitched on caps, clothing, linens, towels, blankets, and jackets, to name a few.
I have provided the means for many stylish Mamas to proudly share their status via sweatshirts, horse trainers to advertise and show appreciation to clients via caps with their logo and brand, and hostesses to set a stunning table with custom monogrammed linen napkins. Ladies have surprised their men with custom caps with the family brand as gifts and chefs have received custom aprons to don as they prepare their fine cuisines. When creativity meets embroidery design, the possibilities are endless. Contact DeAnna Ramos at Sonshine Designs of Texas to order your custom embroidery work.
JanuarySocialCo//SydneySimpson
JANUARYSOCIAL.CO
Honestly, starting my business was a bold move. With a kid, a family, and a two-income household, it’s terrifying to walk away from a steady paycheck into the unknown But in July 2022, I quit my full-time job at a marketing agency to go all-in on my own business I had been freelancing on the side, building strategies for brands that actually worked, and I knew I could do this on my own. Still, it wasn’t an easy decision. The comfort of a paycheck is hard to give up when you have real responsibilities but I also knew I had something bigger to build.
I spent years learning social media from the inside out first, running marketing for my family’s Krispy Kreme franchises, then working in an agency, and all the while, watching business owners struggle to use social media effectively. I saw them wasting time, posting without a strategy, and feeling frustrated when it wasn’t translating into revenue. I knew that if I took the leap, I could help business owners create intentional, strategic content that actually drives results.
So I bet on myself. No backup plan, no safety net just the belief that I could make this work.
And let me tell you, it was scary at first. But in those first few months, something amazing happened: clients started finding me. Not because I was chasing them, but because my content spoke directly to the business owners who were ready for strategy-driven social media. Within my first year, I had built a business that allowed me to support my family, hire a team, and work with brands that truly make a difference.
Looking back, that risk the terrifying, exhilarating leap into entrepreneurship was the best decision I ever made. Now, I get to help other business owners take their own bold steps forward, using social media as a tool to build connections, increase revenue, and grow their businesses with confidence. Because that’s what this was all about not just taking a risk, but turning that risk into something that matters
Riot Roulette
Feeling fearless?
Choose a number at random (or close your eyes and point.)
Then go to the next page, find your number, and commit to the challenge! ⚡
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Riot Roulette
The challenge ...
1 2 3 4
5
6
7
8
You’ve chosen your number, now commit to the challenge! ⚡ In the spirit of fearless experimentation ...
Send an email to someone you admire. All appreciation, no agenda. You never know where a simple, genuine connection might lead.
Say ‘no’ to something that drains you and ‘yes’ to something fun Business should feel good too! ��
Launch something with a 24-hour deadline. A mini offer, a flash sale, a beta test. Try it and see what happens!
Promote something today without overthinking it. No perfect captions, no polished graphics just share and move on.
Record a voice memo instead of sending a text or email. People connect in a different way when they can hear your voice.
Take a step back from your desk today and do something fun and creative just for you. The magic happens when we allow ourselves to have fun without expectations.
Post a behind-the-scenes photo that’s completely unpolished People love to see the messy middle!
Ask your audience to vote on something for your business. Give up control for a day and let them decide something small
You’ve got this!!!
But if you very much feel like you DON’T, send me an email and I’ll cheer you on. Sometimes all it takes is 10 seconds of courage. ��
erica@riotcreative.studio I’ll be standing by!
Whatpancakesareyou makingthismonth?��
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