Haylee Jordan
Brand Strategist / Designer / CPG / Wellness / Food & Bev
Denver, CO
www.hayleejordan.com
instagram @itshayleejordan
Q What do you do?
“I’m Haylee!”
Founder of Haylee Jordan and The Committee. I am a Brand Strategist + Brand Designer passionate about the intersection of mental health and body image. I primarily build strategic brands in the CPG, Wellness, Food + Bev space.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I started out with a corporate job and quickly became dissatisfied with the workload and skill level that was required of me. I was working well below my skill level and expertise. I decided to go off on my own as a brand strategist and designer. From there it was all hustle for a bit, I really had to work to network and connect with as many people as possible. In more recent years I have been able to take a step back and put more intention towards my direction as a brand strategist and designer in order to grow and create exciting work.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I stand out a bit because I balance both strategy and design. Most people are either a brand strategist or a designer, not both. Because of this, my design philosophy is strategy first, design second. I have the ability to really focus on brand storytelling and strategy in order to create an inspired brand design that moves the consumer.
Q What are you working on right now?
Currently, I am working with a mental health startup to get their brand off the ground. I also just finished up a craft brewery education brand which was a lot of fun.
Q What’s your style?
My design style is bold, elevated, and approachable in an industry that can often be cold and hoity-toity.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I am really grateful to build brands and work in the wellness and CPG space! As time goes on, I plan to focus heavily on CPG and creating exciting storytelling brands that stand for something positive. I would love if every CPG brand I touched was a health-centric brand, we are talking Non-alcoholic aperitifs, grain-free snacks, or even another sparkling water…yes, I am addicted!
Q What is frustrating you right now?
I think we are all feeling a bit drained by the pandemic. As a freelancer, most of my time is spent alone and many of the events that I used to attend haven’t quite started back up yet. I think adjusting to this new way of life has been a challenge for most creatives.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I’d hire a personal assistant to get my color codes all set up in my brand guides. WHEW! For some reason, I can’t stand putting the HEX, RGB, CMYK, and Pantone colors into my brand guides. It doesn’t even take that long, but I’d love to hire someone for it.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I wish I could go back to when I first started freelancing and give myself all this great, juicy advice on how to be successful. I’ve come a long way, and I’ve taken the journey I was meant to take so I can’t complain… I’d tell younger Haylee to focus on a specific industry, but not any industry… an industry that is clearly booming like CPG Food + Bev.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I’d also love to be in a strategic marketing meeting for a rad brand like Super Smalls (jewelry for kiddos) or Kin Euphorics (Functional NA beverage.) I'd love to get into the mind of the marketers for these beautiful and vibrant brands. Since branding is only a part of marketing, I’m all ears!
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Any CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) brand! Wellness + Lifestyle (Skincare, Mental Health, and Jewelry) or Health Centric Food + Bev (Healthy beverages, Snacks, Sauces, Tea- you name it!)
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal brand design project would be a bold, risk-taking CPG brand like Omsom. I LOVE it when founders step into their power and really get creative with their brand. Too many founders play it safe and as a result, the brand blends in… We call this a bland.
Q: What is your rate?
My brand strategy + design packages start at $5000 on the low end and $18,000 on the high end. My hourly rate is $150/hr.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Shoot me an email with your brand idea or project and we will connect.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Annie Atkins — she does a lot of branding and design for film. One of her clients? Wes Anderson!
Joni Schrantz — she is a great photographer who specializes in food. She also did my headshots!
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Surrounding myself with really rad, excited artists.
This member profile was originally published in January 2022.