Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Minor.
Justin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story starts right after I graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2018 with a degree in Human-Centered Design. During school, I worked at Invent@NMU, and that experience really ignited something in me — this entrepreneurial energy, the belief that I could build something meaningful on my own and help people up here in Northern Michigan have a strong visual identity.
So in July 2018, fresh out of school, I launched Renegade Creative. The idea was simple: create clean, modern websites and bold graphic design that actually captured the rugged, beautiful spirit of the Great Lakes region we all love. I saw too many local businesses with outdated sites or generic branding that didn’t feel like Northern Michigan, and I wanted to change that.
I started small, balancing it alongside other work, but the focus has always been on authenticity and results: affordable WordPress sites built on Elementor so clients can update them themselves, plus logos, flyers, and branding packages that make businesses stand out.
Today, Renegade Creative is still very much me — a one-person studio based in Gaylord, serving Gaylord, Traverse City, Petoskey, and beyond. I’ve built sites and made graphics for a variety of businesses and nonprofits like Little Traverse Conservancy. My clients tell me they love the fast turnaround, the personal touch (coffee or a Big Buck Brewery pint is always on me if we meet up), and how everything feels genuinely Northern Michigan rather than cookie-cutter.
I’m still growing — Renegade is my side-hustle-turned-passion-project, and I’m excited about continuing to help local businesses thrive digitally. At the end of the day, great design builds brands that connect with Northern Michigan customers, and that’s what keeps me fired up every single day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but the hurdles have all been part of what’s made Renegade Creative what it is today.
The biggest one hit early: Covid-19. I launched in July 2018, fresh out of NMU, and things were building steadily — then the pandemic slammed the brakes. A lot of businesses, especially up here in Northern Michigan, put new web projects and branding on the back burner to survive. That slowed momentum and forced me to get creative with how I reached clients and delivered value remotely.
Another ongoing challenge has been balancing Renegade with a full-time 9-5 job Monday through Friday. I’ve always made sure my clients come first — evenings, weekends, whatever it takes — but it’s meant a lot of late nights, careful time-blocking, and saying no to projects when I knew I couldn’t give them 100%. I never wanted anyone to feel neglected, so I’ve kept client work to a sustainable level while I grow.
And honestly, just being a new entrepreneur has been a massive learning curve. Filing the business with the state, figuring out taxes, pricing properly, contracts, invoicing — all of it was trial and error. There were mistakes along the way (underquoting early projects, overcommitting time), but every misstep taught me something: how to set better boundaries, how to value my work, how to build systems so I can scale without burning out.
The upside? Those struggles forced me to focus on what matters: delivering high-quality design that actually helps local businesses connect and grow. Renegade is stronger because of it, and I’m excited for what’s next.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a creative, I specialize in web design that feels alive and tells a real story — especially for businesses and organizations right here in Northern Michigan. I love the freedom of the digital canvas: you can build something clean and modern with WordPress and Elementor, make it mobile-first and easy for clients to update themselves, and still infuse it with personality that captures the Great Lakes spirit.
What I’m known for is that blend of functional web work and bold graphic storytelling. I love to create digital experiences that reflect a bit back to the vibe of the area. Lately I’ve been having a ton of fun with other passions of mine, like designing highly detailed topo maps (think a custom Marquette area map), or series of stickers and patches highlighting cool spots in the Pigeon River Forest and other various points of interest in the area. All of it happens from my Mac — sitting down, exploring ideas, and turning them into something unique folks could stick on a water bottle.
What sets me apart is the authenticity. I’m not a big-city agency with layers of bureaucracy — just a solo Gaylord-based designer who loves it here because I live it. I’m most proud when a client says their new site or branding finally feels like “them.”
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that staying true to who you are — and how you want to show up in the industry — will always win out over trying to fit someone else’s mold.
As a new entrepreneur starting Renegade Creative, so much was trial and error: figuring out how to file the business, build proper systems, price work fairly, handle invoicing, etc. — everything was new, and I made plenty of mistakes along the way. But every misstep taught me the same thing: authenticity matters more than speed or shortcuts.
I learned to lean hard into what feels right for me — creating designs that are fun, real, and deeply rooted in Northern Michigan energy. That decision to position myself as the local, no-BS designer who gets the vibe up here has made Renegade stronger, more focused, and more connected to the people and places I serve.
Pricing:
- WordPress websites: Starting at $65/month (or one-time options available) – mobile-first, Elementor-powered, easy for you to update yourself
- Graphic design & branding: Hourly consulting at $55/hour (or $30 per half-hour) – logos, business cards, flyers, signage, social graphics, custom maps/stickers/patches
Contact Info:
