CLIENTS WORTH PRAISING, RESULTS WORTH
We’re obsessed with helping creative entrepreneurs turn their branding and social media dreams into reality. Whether it’s a full-scale rebrand or a social glow-up, we craft strategies that feel effortless but work overtime to make your brand stand out.
And while we don’t technically play favorites, there are a few transformations that still have us talking about them like a proud stage mom. Below are some of our favorite success stories—where we took inspiration, turned it into execution, and made some serious branding magic happen.
obsessing over
REBRAND FOR KELLY RYANN co : The breakfast club, A STRATEGIC, MADE-TO-ORDER TRANSFORMATION
When Kelly reached out, she felt a disconnect between her current brand and the one she envisioned. We set out to craft a brand that felt intentional, aligned, and undeniably her—infused with her love for breakfast. The result? A cohesive, crave-worthy rebrand that perfectly reflects her identity and expertise.
When your brand no longer feels like you, it’s time for a change. That’s exactly what Kelly Ryann realized when she looked at her visuals and messaging.
Her brand had evolved. Her style had shifted. And most importantly—she wasn’t attracting the right clientele.
So, we set out to create something that felt intentional, aligned, and so her—while tying in her love for waffles and breakfast (yes, seriously—this woman lives for breakfast). The result? A deliciously cohesive rebrand that fully embodies who she is, what she does, and how she serves her clients.
The Objective: A Brand That Feels Like Home
The Concept: The Breakfast Club & A Made-to-Order Brand
The Shoot: Bringing Her Brand to Life
Kelly’s work revolves around customized branding and website design, so we wanted to craft a brand identity that reflected that personalized, strategic approach. Enter: The Breakfast Club—a membership-style workshop designed to help business owners level up their branding through a DWY (Done With You) model rather than DFY (Done For You) or DIY (Do It Yourself).
And because branding should always be on theme, we leaned into the breakfast diner concept across her offerings:
- The Full Stack – A complete website + brand overhaul
- The Short Stack – A website revamp for a fresh, streamlined look
- Add-Ons – One-off services that can be customized to fit any brand
Everything is “made to order”—just like a good breakfast. Strategic, customized, and created specifically for each client.
This was a first for me—planning a brand shoot 100% virtually! Kelly lives in Reno, and while I usually go onsite, this time, I did all the heavy lifting remotely to ensure she and her team walked into a seamless, well-planned shoot.
Here’s how we made it happen:
- Curated wardrobe that matched her new brand aesthetic
- Mocked up marketing collateral to integrate into her visuals
- Created a detailed prop list for a cohesive brand experience
- Pre-shoot call with the photographer + content creator so everyone was aligned
The goal? To make sure Kelly walked into her shoot knowing exactly what to expect, with a solid direction that would bring her new brand to life. And it worked perfectly.
Why Storytelling & Branding Matter for Your Business
Results & Testimonial: A Brand That Feels Right
This wasn’t just a rebrand. It was about creating a cohesive brand identity that feels like Kelly and attracts the right people.
When your brand visuals and messaging align with who you are, it:
- Builds trust with your audience (because authenticity attracts)
- Creates cohesion across all touchpoints (from your website to your socials)
- Positions you as the go-to expert in your space (because people see YOU, clearly)
For Kelly, this meant incorporating elements she genuinely loves (hello, waffles!) into her branding in a way that’s both fun and strategic—using psychological breadcrumbing to make her brand instantly recognizable and memorable.
Kelly’s new brand is fun, inviting, and fully aligned with who she is. She finally has visuals that feel intentional, on-message, and attract the clients she actually wants to work with.
And for me? This was a huge win. A remote brand shoot with a seamless execution—proving that location doesn’t have to be a limitation when you have a solid strategy.
Don't just take my word for it, here's what Kelly had to say:
"Using Kati to plan and style my brand shoot has been one of the best investments in my business. It ended up building the entire direction for my rebrand and has already paid off in my marketing. I cannot recommend the Social Reco enough. I have 3 discovery calls today so I'm crediting the photoshoot!"
Ready for Your Own Brand Glow-Up?
If you’re feeling like your brand isn’t reflecting the business you’ve built, it might be time for a refresh. Whether you need a full rebrand, a visual update, or just a little extra strategy—I’m here to make sure it all feels 100% you.
💌 Fill out an inquiry here, and let’s make your brand magic happen.
Redefining Brand Stories with Baylor Texas Children’s Residency Program
When Baylor’s Texas Children’s Residency Program approached me, their vision was clear: they wanted to challenge the clichéd “tough grind” image of residency and highlight the vibrant, supportive environment that sets their program apart. As a storyteller and visual creator, I was thrilled to take on the challenge of bringing this vision to life.
Residency programs often conjure images of sleepless nights, overworked doctors, and stressful hospital environments. Baylor wanted to flip the script. Their goal was to showcase how their residency program thrives on collaboration, community, and a positive work-life balance—a stark contrast to the stereotypical narrative.
Here’s where we wanted things to be different: we wanted to lean into the cheese. You remember those old school infomercials that you’d wake up to randomly at 2am? The first scenes of those infomercials were so corny, and black and white… then if you purchased whatever they were selling, it infinitely improved your life? That’s what we wanted to do with this residency program. We wanted to sell the program and how it’ll improve a residents life!
The Objective
The Concept
The Shoot
The commercial begins with a familiar scene: residents hunched over charts, juggling coffee cups, and navigating late-night shifts. It’s black-and-white, gritty, and all too recognizable. But then, the script flips. Vibrant colors flood the screen, introducing us to Baylor’s reality: residents working together in modern spaces, enjoying downtime at Houston’s landmarks like Buffalo Bayou and POST, and exuding energy and enthusiasm. This transformation captures Baylor’s essence—a residency program that prioritizes growth, balance, and community.
To authentically capture Baylor’s story, we chose settings that highlight the spirit of Houston. From the urban charm of Minute Maid Park to the natural beauty of Buffalo Bayou, every scene underscores the program’s connection to its environment and its people. Our choice of casual dress and relatable scenarios helped reinforce the accessibility and supportiveness Baylor offers.
Special thanks to Carhart Collective for their incredible photo and video work. Their creativity and professionalism were instrumental in bringing this project to life. I also worked with their on Scarlet Rose Rebrand and only have amazing things to say about them!
Why Storytelling Matters for Your Brand
Let’s Create Together
This project wasn’t just about residency—it was about using storytelling to connect with audiences on a deeper level. In today’s competitive market, brands need more than a product or service; they need a narrative. A compelling story doesn’t just inform—it inspires, engages, and builds trust.
Whether you’re a university, a wedding creative, a brand, or a small business, your story deserves to be told in a way that captivates and converts. With packages starting at $3,500, I specialize in crafting marketing and brand commercials that highlight your unique value and resonate with your audience. Plus, I make it fun as hell ;)
Ready to flip your own script? Let’s collaborate to make your vision a reality.
Rebrand for Scarlet Rose Events: A Bold, Maximalist Makeover
When Katy, the visionary behind Scarlet Rose Events, approached me for a full rebrand, I knew we were about to embark on something special. This wasn’t going to be a subtle makeover—it was going to be an audacious, bold transformation that matched the creativity and energy Katy brings to her work. As someone who thrives on maximalist design, I was ready to push the boundaries and create a brand that was as unique as her events.
Why They Wanted to Rebrand
Scarlet Rose Events is all about curating memorable, one-of-a-kind experiences for their clients. However, Katy felt the brand’s previous look didn’t fully reflect their creative spirit or the vibrant, bold events they bring to life. She wanted something that wasn’t just pretty but purposeful—an identity that spoke to the uniqueness of their team and clients. It was time for a rebrand that truly captured the essence of what Scarlet Rose Events is all about: authenticity, personality, and a little bit of boldness. We wanted their branding to be reflected everywhere, Instagram included!
The Inspiration Behind the Rebrand
The Execution
When I sat down with Katy, I could see right away how deeply she cared about her brand. There were layers upon layers of intention behind every decision she made. The inspiration for the rebrand drew from Scarlet Rose’s unique ability to transform spaces and create unforgettable moments. We wanted to reflect that energy in the visuals: vibrant, unapologetic, and full of life.
For me, it was a dream project. I’m a maximalist at my core, and Scarlet Rose Events gave me the perfect canvas to bring those maximalist elements to life. There’s a fine line between “too much” and “just enough,” and I loved walking that line throughout this project.
Rebranding a business is never an overnight process. It’s months of planning, tweaking, designing, and executing. Every single detail in Scarlet Rose’s new brand was intentional. From social media strategies to website design, and then to the styled photo shoot, Katy trusted me to run with my ideas—and that creative freedom allowed us to build something truly special.
As a marketing stylist, I approach these projects with a strategy known as “breadcrumbing.” Every visual, every scene we set up for the shoot, had a purpose. It wasn’t just about making things look pretty; it was about telling the story of Scarlet Rose in every frame. I handled everything from wardrobe styling to scene coordination, ensuring every image was an authentic extension of their brand.
And as Katy so perfectly put it:
Vendor Team for styled/brand shoot:
Venue: @theiceplantbldg
Photo + Video: @carhartphotography
Shoot design, brand direction + social content: @thesocialreco
Floral: @thebloombartx
Signage + Bar: @scarletrosecollective
Makeup + Hair: @lunabeauty_bridal
Lounge: @crurentals
Rentals: @brighteventrentals
Bridal attire: @juliangoldbridal
The Miranda, isn’t just something pretty, but purposeful. And I’d love to do it for your brand, too.
I have availability for one more marketing and brand styling before I close my books until winter! Set up a free discovery call today!
The Styled Photo Shoot: Tying it All Together
The culmination of this rebrand was the styled photo shoot, where everything we had envisioned came to life. Each shot was designed to reflect the boldness and uniqueness of Scarlet Rose Events. The props, the wardrobe, the settings—they all worked in harmony to showcase the new brand identity. The shoot was more than just capturing images; it was about creating marketing collateral that would continue to tell Scarlet Rose’s story across all their platforms.
Bringing It to Life: Their New Website and Social Media
After months of hard work, it was amazing to see how seamlessly the new branding was integrated across their website and social media channels. Katy and her team are now armed with a cohesive, bold, and truly unique brand that mirrors their incredible work in the events space. Seeing them share their new look and hearing the positive reactions from their clients was incredibly rewarding.
"Give Kati all of your money. No, but really. From the first conversation we had, I knew she completely understood our company and brand and the direction I wanted to take it. From working on social media strategies to creating our new brand and then designing/executing our brand photo shoot, every detail was perfection. I wish I could have half of the marketing genius she does, but I'm grateful every time we work together because she delivers (and then some!). Working with great people matters, and Kati is a phenomenal person who has created an incredible company and culture. Could not recommend her enough!!"
Refine for Wedding Planners - 8 Month Case Study
Eight months ago, I started working with Refine for Wedding Planners, a female owned business that helps wedding planners tackle their offers, clients, and workload. In our short eight months together, her community has welcomed over 600 ideal followers, is consistently driving traffic to her website, and is seeing a 24.8% engagement rate on the ‘gram. Ya’ll, the national engagement rate is 1.6%.
The Objective: Building Engagement & Growth, Organically
If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me how to get more Instagram engagement, I’d be sipping champagne at the Ritz, babe. We’re all craving connection and visibility on the ‘gram, but with constant algorithm shifts, it’s feeling harder than ever to attract an audience that sticks. Harder doesn’t mean impossible.
That’s exactly what we set out to prove with Refine for Wedding Planners, a powerhouse female-owned business that helps wedding planners tackle their offers, clients, and workload.
Eight months ago, we hit the ground running—and here’s what happened:
- 600+ new ideal followers (aka, wedding planners who need what Refine offers)
- Consistent website traffic driven directly from Instagram
- A jaw-dropping 24.8% engagement rate (for reference, the national average? 1.6%!)
And before you ask—not a single ad was run. No engagement groups. No gimmicks. Just an aligned strategy that speaks directly to the right people.
The Concept: A Strategic, Binge-Worthy Social Presence
The Rebrand: Showing Up with Purpose
When Refine came to me, they weren’t lost. They already had a clear pulse on their audience and knew exactly what they needed. The challenge? Implementing that knowledge in a way that was consistent, digestible, and engaging.
As Amber, the owner of Refine, put it:
"I honestly enjoyed doing my own social media and wasn't bad at it, but I recognized I can't do all the things. My main weakness has been consistency. By outsourcing social media, I've gained a creative partner that brings ideas, fresh perspective, platform expertise... all while freeing up so much of my time!"
That’s where I came in. We didn’t reinvent the wheel—we just fine-tuned the messaging, leaned into their audience’s needs, and created content that keeps people coming back for more.
There’s no magic button for engagement, cowgirl. It all starts with knowing who you’re talking to. We honed in on three core content goals for Refine:
- Consistency – Showing up regularly to build trust and familiarity.
- Trustworthiness – Providing genuine value (no fluff, no false promises).
- Bingeability – Creating content so good, people can’t stop scrolling.
Ever found yourself deep in someone’s Instagram profile, watching reels from six months ago? That’s the goal. We made sure Refine’s content wasn’t just getting likes—it was getting shares, saves, comments, and profile visits. Because that’s what builds an engaged, loyal audience over time.
Ready to Elevate Your Brand?
If you’re sitting there thinking, I need this in my life, then let’s talk. Whether you’re looking to build engagement, grow your audience, or refine your brand’s voice, I’m ready when you are.
Fill out an inquiry here, and let’s make some magic happen.
Why Storytelling & Branding Matter for Your Growth
Let’s be real—your audience isn’t here just to be sold to. If all your posts push your paid offers, you’ll turn people off fast. Instead, we focused on relatable, value-packed content that speaks to real problems wedding planners face:
- Overbearing clients? Yep.
- Feeling overwhelmed and overworked? Absolutely.
- Struggling to build a sustainable business? All. The. Time.
We positioned Refine as the go-to solution with mentorship programs, templates, and resources—but we didn’t just talk about the products. We built an engaged community that felt heard, understood, and seen. That’s how you create a brand that people trust.
(And just an FYI—if you’re wondering why your offer posts don’t perform as well as your other content, that’s normal! Offer posts naturally get lower engagement. But if you’ve built a strong community beforehand? Those people will be way more likely to invest when the time is right.)
Results & Testimonial
So, what does a successful social media strategy really look like? It looks like Refine for Wedding Planners growing, thriving, and seeing real ROI—without paid ads.
Here’s what Amber had to say about our partnership:
I think our relationship is successful because I let you do your job. And because you choose to also trust me when on occasion I say, 'I hear that's standard, but I'm telling you, it's a no-go for my audience or goals.' We validate each other's opinions, provide education and context to ensure we both have an informed stance, and most importantly, we ask questions rather than assume. We don't take things personally either!"
That’s the secret sauce, babe. When you hire a pro, you have to trust them. You bring the vision, and we bring the expertise. Together, we make magic happen.
"I would highly recommend working with The Social Reco if you’re looking to refine your brand. We wanted to bring more clarity on who we are to our clients. Kati and her team went above and beyond to really get to know us and our vision. They used that to create a cohesive look and voice for our company. We had the best experience working with them and would completely recommend them for any and all branding needs!!"
— Bethany Dudley, Owner of Summit Travel & Tours
Along with a social media refresh, it’s probably time to update your photos as well.
Don’t rely on just your copy and calls to tell your brand’s story and how you solve problems. Your photos should do the heavy lifting! Your brand 🤝 updated photos. Swipe through to check out some of our photographer’s work and book a call with us to fall in love with your brand, again.
