Melanie uses storytelling and branding to amplify minority-owned small businesses. She believes success begins with knowing your values and building a community with shared principles. Her work explores how life’s challenges can be transformed into positive growth, acknowledging that success is rarely a straight path.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t just PR terms. They directly impact business success and audience connection. Since businesses exist to serve people, embracing inclusivity and diverse perspectives is essential to providing truly valuable and effective products or services.

Brand activism is when a business takes meaningful action to support social, political, or environmental causes. It goes beyond stated values, turning them into real efforts that create positive impact for the communities the brand serves.

A grand opening is a key milestone for small businesses, turning a concept into reality. Though optional, it boosts visibility, builds community buzz, and creates lasting impressions. Paired with branded merchandise, it offers personal connection and promotion, making the investment a meaningful way to celebrate and market your new venture.

Passive income lets small business owners earn extra money using existing skills and assets, offering benefits like financial security, brand growth, and more free time. While less hands-on, it still requires research, setup, and promotion before becoming self-sustaining, proving it’s not effortless, but a smart long-term strategy.

As your business grows, your brand should evolve with it. Rebranding can help maintain customer loyalty and reach new audiences. This piece outlines four key phases of rebranding and offers five practical tips to help you assess if a brand refresh is the right move for your business.

Music and design are deeply connected forms of self-expression that shape culture and identity. From logos to merch, design helps artists and businesses amplify their message. This piece explores seven key music logo design styles to help you choose the right visual identity for your brand.

Culture and heritage are core to branding, shaped by personal and collective experiences. While culture evolves, heritage remains constant, grounding identity. Effective design honors both: reflecting traditions, values, and lived realities. The challenge lies in intentionally using culture and heritage to create branding that resonates with and represents real people.

In a community contest, designers reimagined the minimalist Yeezus album cover, drawing on themes like religion, materialism, and power. With 1,284 entries from 315 creatives, the submissions were bold and thought-provoking. Each design includes artist commentary, showcasing diverse interpretations of Kanye West’s dark, conceptual album.