meet your creative
brand & graphic design partners

our team can help make your ideas a reality
with ease and empathy every step of the way

once upon
a time…

btd brand and marketing agency

Sarah Steil and Lisa Reed joined forces and officially launched Be That Design LLC, now BTD Brand in 2013. Their work together began earlier as an in-house creative group that provided graphic design and branding services to University of Minnesota clients. A shared love of typography, design, restaurants, and delightful customer service experiences shaped their partnership and how clients are served each and every day.

Sarah

co-founder, brand strategist

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Steil

Born with keen observational skills, immense focus, and a tendency to be highly sensitive to the needs of others, I spent much of my early free time exploring and interacting with countless “visually complex stuff” found in my nearby grandparents’ home just a few blocks away.

Since then, I’ve been collaborating with for-profit and non-profit companies of various sizes for the past 25+ years in the area of brand creation, assessment, and evolution. My work experience has included boutique graphic design, brand and marketing firms, including co-founding Be That Design LLC in 2013 with Lisa after completing my Master of Fine Arts Degree in Interactive Design.

The reason I show up to work each day is to help our clients meet their goals. Learning each day, our team becomes an integrated part of our clients’ marketing teams. Together, we co-create the most effective and impactful brand communications possible while meeting client timing and budget parameters.

EDUCATION: B.A. Studio Art, University of Northern Iowa; M.A. Interactive Design, University of Minnesota

Lisa

co-founder, creative director

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Reed

Being self-employed in the service industry for much of my childhood, I filled my days designing countless menus, creating seating charts, taking customer orders, providing crayons to the the kiddos, preparing and serving plastic food (sometimes hibachi-style), and attending to my ‘real’ and ‘stuffed’ customers’ every need. I’ve been creating immersive customer experiences since I can remember.

Each day, I enjoy the challenge of concepting, creating, and evaluating the potential impact of all types of visual communication for specific and diverse audiences. My educational background and work experience have become intertwined as we collaborate with clients to deliver design that inspires action, expands awareness, and educates.

I collaborate with clients to reach beyond what is comfortable, familiar, and safe to deliver surprising, affordable, and effective solutions. Working closely with clients, our understanding of their businesses, objectives, and needs is continually clarified so that we can create visually exciting, engaging, and focused graphic and interactive materials that meet and exceed client expectations of a brand and marketing agency.

EDUCATION: B.S. Graphic Design / Retail Merchandising, University of Minnesota; Minor: Business Management, Carlson School of Management

Lauren

copywriter, social strategist

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Beaubaire

With a background in film and communication, I received a BA in Studies in Cinema and Media Culture as well as in Communication Studies. And having worked most of my career extensively in media, I know it’s the words and stories we tell that shape who we know ourselves to be, how powerfully we show up in the world, and determine what we think is possible to create and imagine. This is why I believe the stories we tell matter and why I love capturing and sharing other’s unique stories.

I’ve written copy, edited, and proofread for a variety of clients ranging from in-depth research pieces and creative social media posts, to lifestyle articles as well as technical copywriting and brand marketing — effectively connecting the audience with the brand and organization.

I am a multifaceted writer with my work crossing diverse genres. I thrive in the creative process and love the experience of being immersed in learning and problem solving. And through writing I endeavor to engage, connect, and inspire.

EDUCATION: University of Minnesota

Lindsey

graphic designer

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Osterman

Having a background in both interior and graphic design, I am a creative problem solver at heart. While I am a graphic designer by day, I still get to scratch that interior design itch with home renovations and projects around the house.

With 10+ years of experience in the marketing and design world, my artistic vision is always evolving. Spending much of my career with in-house marketing and creative teams,I have gained experience in branding, print and digital design. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing our client’s concepts and ideas come to life.

EDUCATION:
B.S. Visual Communications, Brown College

Study abroad program, graphic design, American InterContinental University, London

A.A.S. Interior Design, Dakota County Technical College

Steve

SVP sales, business development

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Steil

Before landing at BTD Brand, I put my business administration, sales, and marketing majors to use in retail and commercial locations for Sherwin Williams. And in what turned into a 25-year career, my endless curiosity and customer-focused work ethic led me to work in a plethora of different fields including retail, commercial, industrial, and outside sales, as well as management.

Now working in sales and business development for a brand, design, and marketing agency, I’m able to integrate my business acumen, sales expertise, and interpersonal communication skills to build meaningful relationships with clients, understanding their goals, needs, and concerns.

I look forward to the always-new connection with people — learning about what they do and discovering how we can help grow their business, develop their brand, and connect with their own customers.

EDUCATION: American Institute of Business

Max

motivational pawfessional

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Max is a good dog.

core values, at your service

btd brand and marketing agency core values

1

Receptive

We hear you, for real. Your ideas and input fuel our ability to create an amazing, memorable brand and great marketing for you. To realize your vision we listen to your needs, address any possible hurdles, and work in tandem to deliver what you need.

2

Resourceful

Your tight budget, tricky project, or a last-minute request is at the top of our list. We know how to get great work done. Every project, big or small, gets our full creativity, ideas, and solutions so any problems along the way don’t stall, stunt, or stop our progress.

3

Responsive

You need answers. Whether it’s a do-or-die emergency or a quick how-to question, we’re ready to help. Never wonder if it’s ok to call, email, or schedule a meeting because chances are if you are wondering about something, it’s time to ask.

why partner with btd brand?

OUR MISSION = MAKE YOU LOOK GREAT while removing hassle, friction, and frustration along the way. We do it with an empathic framework for defining and managing brand, marketing, and design projects.

OUR WORK = 100% SUPPORT OF YOUR GOALS with creativity, flexibility, and deep understanding of your needs. As part of your team, we accept your challenges as ours and collaborate to solve them together.

PARTNER, Client
Relations + Strategy

sarah@btdbrand.com

PARTNER, Creative
Director + Strategy

lisa@btdbrand.com

Sales + Business
Development

steve@btdbrand.com

Content Lead +
Social Media

lauren@btdbrand.com

BRANDS WE’VE COLLABORATED WITH

what can we help you with?

A FEW OF OUR CAPABILITIES

BRANDING

BRAND STRATEGY

position your brand and its solutions clearly & effectively in the minds of your audience

BRAND VOICE

help your customers & prospects understand how you help them achieve their goals

BRAND VISUALS

appeal to customer aspirations with the right colors, symbols, typography & imagery

about our branding process

MARKETING

planning & consulting

develop a marketing plan based on goals and brand building

print collateral

build your brand with printed marketing, sales, environmental, and communication projects

digital & social

ensure your online brand presence is consistent across website design, digital campaigns, email and social media marketing

discover our marketing approach

CREATIVE

graphic design

color, typography, layout, and imagery come together to create professional and effective design

copywriting

from storytelling to blog writing, ensure your brand is communicated with engaging and clear content

production

expert, press-ready file production and digitally-optimized asset sizing & creation

see our creative capabilities

Our team will transform your brand, marketing, or creative with a robust co-creative process that promotes stakeholder engagement and buy-in along the way.

make work you love, get started.

COMMUNICATE

Tell us about your brand or marketing project through our contact form.

ESTIMATE

Get a simple project estimate or detailed brand proposal that aligns with your goals.

ELEVATE

Choose and approve the scope and deliverables that fit your needs, goals, and budget.