Every brand reaches a crossroads where it has to ask a hard but exciting question: Do we stay rooted in what feels comfortable, or do we grow toward the light of what we’re becoming? For the PGH Plant Lady herself, Rachel, this brand evolution started with color. Ironically, it was the use of color in my branding that led her to want to work together. We specifically were faced with the challenge of choosing between a softer, grounded, familiar palette that reflected where the brand began and a more saturated, bolder one that represented where it could head. The journey that followed wasn’t just about design; it was about stepping into new soil and trusting the process of blooming into something fresh, vibrant, and full of life.

Kimberley Ashlee & Co. isn’t new to excellence, but this rebrand marked a new era for the established catering and hospitality company. With years of experience serving the Pittsburgh region through luxury events, restaurants, and private dining experiences, Kimberley was ready to evolve the brand to match her next chapter: one that pairs high-end catering with culinary consulting on an international scale.

And while what they sell is food, their story wasn’t just about food. It was about people, memories, and the deeply rooted connection they have with their community. And like many long-standing businesses, they had outgrown the more generic, templated branding that once served them.

Our goal? Create a brand that reflected their heart. Something honest and intentional that could grow alongside them. Something that didn’t just look beautiful, but felt like home. (Oh, and could be translated as a second brand specifically for weddings and events…).

Although this is a branding reveal, I’m stepping back into my “dance teacher” shoes to begin this blog. Part of what I love about teaching dance, specifically, is that unlink educational schooling, I get to work with the same kids season after season for as long as they dance until they graduate high school. And as I’m now in my ninth season as a teacher, I’m realizing how long that time actually is. To say that I’ve been working with a few students now for almost a decade feels wild, but more than anything, I’m so grateful to have an opportunity to make a long-standing, hopefully positive, impact.

However, our journey wasn't just about shared interests; it was about transformative growth. Over a year and some change, I witnessed Amanda's willingness to tackle the tough questions and dive into the depths of her business. The evolution from a muted color palette to an unapologetically bold one mirrors the internal shifts she courageously embraced. I’m just so grateful to have been a part of it and been able to help set the strategy to put her valuable dancer and creative resources in motion.

You know that person who seems to know the trends before the influencers do? The one who has every single tiny detail covered in a way that makes it work so much better than anything you could come up with? Rachel Stackiewicz is one of those people, and she has the experience and eye for design to create the most lavish weddings that celebrate your love.

You know that boujee person, the one who has it all under control, all while coordinated to match? Maybe you know them in real life, or maybe they’re someone you follow on social media. Sierra Marie is one of those people, and she has every single detail of your big event nailed down to perfection.