Vanessa Martinez
Vanessa Martinez
Founder of Ronde Studio / Brand Strategist / Designer.
Houston, TX
www.rondestudio.com
instagram @rondestudio
pinterest
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“Hi there! I’m Vanessa, I founded Ronde Studio, a women-operated multidisciplinary marketing and design studio for conscious brands. ”
Fun fact: I started Ronde Studio during the pandemic! I began to use my skills doing full-stack marketing from owning a jewelry brand in my earlier days to help other small business owners around me.
I quickly grew to love the concept of helping businesses and brands around me elevate their message through multiple services like social/digital marketing, web design, and brand strategy. Being on the client-end at one point earlier in my career, it was hard to find an all-in-one solution for all of my marketing and design needs as a business/brand owner. Bringing life, excitement, and stories worth telling through branding and marketing has become one of the best things to come out of the pandemic for me.
I also really like hanging out with my dog Kobe in my free time, not sure if that counts.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
From starting a jewelry brand at 15, I got to experiment *a lot* (I also got to mess up and learn *a lot*) with marketing, branding, and strategizing the trajectory of the business. I got to learn what it meant to grow a brand, how to tell stories, and what it took to really connect with the customer in a deeper way. After some years, I even got to sell my jewelry under pretty cool brands like Reformation and Lou & Grey.
It wasn’t until the pandemic struck that I realized I wanted to do something greater for fellow business owners around me. I began to help my mentor with her website, then soon started helping a lot of other businesses and brands around me to help them adjust to the pandemic and go fully digital. I noticed that there was something special about helping entrepreneurs, in all their shapes and forms; mothers, sons, bosses, doctors, college professors - that they really treasured the ability to market themselves digitally.
How do you stand out in your field?
I get bored easily. It may not be something to brag about - but I’ve grown to love different aspects of marketing a brand digitally, I never see a dull day doing lots of different things. From digital marketing, social media management, brand development, graphic design, website design - I’ve grown to learn and love it all. That’s why I started Ronde Studio! To offer entrepreneurs and business owners a one-stop-shop for all of their digital marketing and design needs under one “agency” (in reality, we’re a really small team).
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
We’re currently working on a few cool projects with a couple of different clients at the moment - ranging from fun, lighthearted jewelry brands and taco trucks, to humble nonprofits and housing agencies.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I really love the refinement of classic things - the slight twist from something simple. I think the best example of this is my website and Instagram. It’s simple, classic, but there’s an untraditional element - a little twist.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I would love to be more skilled in more technical digital marketing skills like SEO and Google Ads.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Being more consistent with finding amazing clients that are aligned with our values.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
A content copywriter! I love writing content and copy but I get writer’s block/analysis paralysis with it sometimes.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I wish I would’ve told myself in college that I didn’t have to compare my goals and aspirations with everyone around me. Everyone is different and the world would be boring if we all did the same thing - freelancing is badass and I wish I would’ve embraced my goals more.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
A business coach - how to create truly meaningful relationships with clients, how to connect and network with people on a deeper level, and how to get over imposter syndrome (it’s a real thing!)
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Working with established brands is fun, but I also really love working with new brands that I can offer more insight, guidance, and help throughout our work together. I work with brands and businesses alike, on projects ranging from social media management, copywriting, website design, digital marketing, brand development, and website design. There’s a special kind of fulfillment helping business owners in any way I can.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I love a client that is open-minded, open to something new, and most importantly, is collaborative. I love working within the lifestyle/fashion/beauty industry, but have grown to love businesses of all sorts (food trucks, nonprofits, coffee shops, etc). Everything offers something different and offers a new landscape/perspective!
Who is a creative that has helped you elevate your work?
I get a lot of inspiration from Natasha Mead, I love her branding work with brands like J.Hannah, F.Miller Skincare and more.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Please feel free to reach out to me at vanessa@rondestudio, I'd love to chat and hear from you if you're interested in working together. I always love to know all about the brand and the person that reaches out! I love to know how it started, little quirky and interesting details, and how I can help with our services. I especially love friendly warm introductions, instead of rigid, business-y ones, most of the time.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Looking at things outside of my traditional style - opening up a magazine or Pinterest always helps.
This member profile was originally published in June 2021.