Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Russo.
Hi Kim, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started as a packaging designer in New York City—deep in the creative world, yet always behind the scenes. For years, I lent my eye to others’ visions, never fully realizing I had one of my own. Later, I helped grow my ex’s print shop, where I got my first taste of the business side of creativity. But even then, the idea that I could run a business felt distant. I carried a lot of doubt about whether a lifelong creative like me could also be a successful entrepreneur.
Everything shifted when I decided to stop building others’ dreams and start investing in my own. I took my branding skills, my understanding of visual storytelling, and my intuitive sense for design, and began building what is has always been a six-figure brand strategy and design studio. I’m entering my seventh year of business in a few months—working with visionary women who want to align their purpose with a visual identity that actually reflects their magic.
One moment that will always stay with me is the day I found myself on a billboard in Times Square. It began as a random thought—how incredible would it be to see myself there? Not long after, I contributed to an Amazon bestselling book, and within a year, I was standing in New York City again, this time featured on the NASDAQ screen in Times Square. That wasn’t just a dream come true—it was a reminder of how far I’ve come, and how powerful it is to follow your vision, even when it feels too big.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not smooth—and I think that’s what made the journey so transformational. Starting a business as a creative came with layers of internal resistance. I questioned whether I was “business-minded” enough, if I could charge what I was worth, and if people would really pay for what came naturally to me.
In the early days, I wore every hat—designer, marketer, bookkeeper, you name it. Like many women entrepreneurs, I struggled with boundaries, burnout, and people-pleasing. I often over-delivered and undercharged because I equated my worth with my work. That mindset kept me playing small longer than I wanted.
Another challenge came when I tried to scale too quickly. I created a course to help other creatives find clarity in their branding and business, and while I had the right heart behind it, I overinvested in team members and mentors to help me launch, promote, and market it. Despite helping a few amazing clients—which meant the world to me—the overall effort left me burnt out and disheartened. It didn’t make the impact I had hoped for.
Eventually, I had to make a tough decision: to scale things back, let some team members go or allow them to run their course, and return to the basics of growing my design business. I realized that not every idea needs to be pushed into full expression all at once. Some things are meant to unfold organically, and when the time is right, I may revisit the educational and coaching space with more clarity and sustainability.
The beauty of entrepreneurship is that it’s not linear. It’s a constant recalibration. And every pivot has brought me closer to a business that feels good, aligned, and truly mine.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a brand strategist and designer who helps visionary women entrepreneurs build intuitive, high-impact brands rooted in clarity and alignment. At the core, I help my clients get crystal clear on who they are, who they serve, and how to visually and energetically express that through their brand identity.
What sets my work apart is the way I blend intuitive design with strategic depth. I don’t believe in surface-level aesthetics or one-size-fits-all templates. Every brand I create is custom and soul-aligned. I guide clients through a deeply clarifying process that reveals the essence of their message—then translate that into visual systems that actually feel like them and attract their ideal clients with ease.
I’m most known for creating brand identities that are not just beautiful, but magnetic. I’ve had clients tell me they cried when they saw their branding because it reflected parts of them they couldn’t put into words. That’s the magic I live for—branding that empowers women to be fully seen.
What I’m most proud of, beyond the logos and websites, is the ripple effect. When a woman sees herself clearly and confidently in her brand, everything shifts—how she shows up, who she attracts, what she charges. That transformation goes far beyond visuals. It’s identity work at its core.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Yes—start messy, but start with intention. You don’t need the perfect logo, website, or business plan to begin. What you do need is clarity about who you want to serve and why it matters. That clarity will evolve, but it’s your compass—and without it, it’s easy to get lost in busy work and comparison traps.
I wish someone had told me that you are your brand—not your fonts or your colors, but your voice, your values, and your vision. When you root into that, the visuals and the strategy flow so much easier.
Also, trust your timing. Not every idea needs to be monetized right away. There’s so much pressure to scale fast or “go big,” but sustainable growth often starts with deep alignment, not wide reach. Focus on building something solid and soul-aligned before you try to scale.
And finally—invest wisely. It’s easy to believe the next course, coach, or team member will be your big break. But no investment can replace the inner clarity and grounded confidence that comes from doing the foundational work first.
You’re allowed to evolve. Your business is allowed to grow with you. Stay true to what feels real, and trust that it’s enough to begin.
Pricing:
- 💎 Signature Brand Experience – Strategic brand identity development over 1 to 3 months | Starting at $3,000–$5,000
- 🎨 Full Brand + Website Package – 6-month immersive experience for a cohesive, aligned online presence | $12,000 or $2,000/month
- 🌊 VIP Website Design – One-month or one-week custom website design intensives | Starting at $7,000
- 🌀 Strategy Sessions – 60- to 90-minute 1:1 calls for brand clarity, creative direction, or business alignment | $350–$550
- 🧴 Packaging Design Services – Custom packaging design for product-based brands | Starting at $2,500+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://onbranddesigns.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/on_brand_designs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.russo.334/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-russo/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@onbranddesigns
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@onbranddesigns
