#BCANFFSpotlight | Mebane Design Studios

Photo Credit - Kyle Pompey of Nice Shot Media LLC

MEBANE DESIGN STUDIOS

Founder - Brandi Mebane

Established - 2013 (Under Branding by Brandi)

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Mebane Design Studio (formally Branding by Brandi) is a graphic design agency spearheaded by communications and design development powerhouse Brandi Mebane.

Before becoming a full-time entrepreneur and founder Brandi Mebane worked in communications for a variety of non-profits.

This early experience not only informed her approach to branding but also prepared her to wear a lot of hats - something that would be an invaluable skill once she began her business in 2013.

We caught up with the designer that counts Jade Purple Brown, Chris Doe, and Keith Haring as some of her biggest creative influences at BCAN HQ - discussing her decision to re-brand, her experience in the BCAN Founder Fellowship, and why she believes “Everyone Deserves to Be Seen!”

You are the only “solo-preneur” in this year’s Founder Fellowship - meaning there is you and only you to get the job done. How has this shaped your company structure and how you approach clients?

Being a solo-preneur is definitely a different experience.

Even during the course of the BCAN Founder Fellowship, I thought about looking into getting a co-founder but eventually, I took a step back and realized that for where I am and what I want to do it is best that I function as a one-woman boutique service provider…and I'm comfortable with that. It gives me room to grow and maintain those "one-on-one" relationships with clients. 

Why did you choose to rebrand from “Branding by Brandi” to “Mebane Design Studio”?

I realized quickly after starting the BCAN Founder Fellowship that the work that I do is beyond “just branding” - I provide visual design solutions to businesses and it was important for me to have them be clear in the rebrand.

Tell us more about your need company motto “Everyone Deserves to be Seen”?

After some mind mapping with BCAN Founder Fellowship mentor Jeff Cherry, I was able to drill down to make sure this rebrand not only spoke to some of my experiences but also shine a light on my deep belief that Black and Brown people deserve to be seen, given platforms, and have their voice heard!

I do a lot of work with Black and Brown creatives and founders and I wanted to make sure that was front and center.

As a Baltimore-based creative entrepreneur, how do you see participating in the BCAN Founder Fellowship shaping your futures as business owners?

Being apart of BCAN has helped me because when I first started I just jumped straight to designing, to helping clients, but there were parts of my foundation that were missing - the legal, the accounting - and that is what this program has been able to provide for me. It has allowed me to take a step back and work through those areas that needed more time and attention. And in the long term, this allows me to scale and provide the opportunity to folks because my business is set up properly. 

Being able to grow my business to a point where I am comfortable and the scale allows for me to feel good about providing opportunity to other folks.