Exploring Life & Business with Casey Storey of Brand Storey Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Storey

Hi Casey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m the classic small-town girl with a big-city dream. I grew up in the tiny Northern Michigan village of Pellston—yes, village. No stoplights, but somehow we had an airport and a public school (go figure). That rural upbringing shaped me in all the best ways. When you grow up in a place like that, you learn to be resourceful—and I’ve always been incredibly independent (and maybe a little stubborn). I wanted to figure things out on my own, make my own fun, and find creative ways to do a lot with a little. That mindset has followed me into everything I do.

I’ve been drawing and creating for as long as I can remember—and by the time I was choosing a career, I knew graphic design and illustration were it. I’m proud of where I come from, but I also knew I was meant for something bigger than my small hometown. So, in my early 20s, I packed up and made the move down to Southeast Michigan to chase that dream. It’s still wild to think I’ve now been working as a professional artist and designer for over a decade down here.

But let’s rewind for a second—because the path here definitely wasn’t a straight one.

Before fully stepping into my career as a designer, I wore a lot of hats. I was once a librarian at the Alanson Area Public Library (I’ll forever have a soft spot for the Dewey Decimal System). I had a short-lived tattoo apprenticeship in Cheboygan—until I realized no one wants a shaky tattoo artist. And I even ran a business where I taught drunk people how to paint (and yes, some of those masterpieces still hang proudly in living rooms). I was freelancing during all of this, slowly building my skills and portfolio behind the scenes.

Eventually, I landed in the world of marketing and design full-time. I got my first big-girl design job at Hilton Screeners, a screenprinting company in Davison, where I became their in-house designer and marketing manager. From there, I had the opportunity to jump into the cannabis industry, where I spent several years climbing the ranks—ultimately becoming a lead designer and art director at one of the top cannabis retailers in Michigan. That chapter gave me the confidence and clarity to realize I didn’t just want to design—I wanted to help others build the foundation for their dream businesses.

As I said, I’ve always had a thing for design and creating beautiful, meaningful work, so when I realized how much I loved bringing products to life through branding and packaging, CPG just clicked. It felt like the perfect intersection of art, strategy, and storytelling—especially since I’ve walked in those shoes myself, having made and sold my own products.

The real turning point came when I noticed people genuinely trusted my design instincts. I’d talk about branding, and people would lean in. Something clicked—bye, imposter syndrome, hello boss energy. I knew I was meant for more than a corporate cubicle, so I took the leap and went all in on entrepreneurship.

And here we are—Brand Storey Studio was born in late 2023, and I haven’t looked back since.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Finding clients was (and sometimes still is) the biggest challenge—especially as someone who’s naturally more introverted. Putting yourself out there can feel like a full-time job, and early on, it was hard not to take it personally when things didn’t click right away. Add in the struggle of pricing my services to actually be profitable, battling imposter syndrome, and taking on clients who were more headache than dream fit—just to keep the bills paid—and yeah… it was a learning curve.

But I didn’t stay stuck. One of the biggest turning points for me was joining coaching programs where I learned everything from pricing strategy and sales to mindset and boundaries dor branding agencies like mine. Total game-changer. I’ve also jumped into tons of smaller workshops focused on messaging and marketing—because this work is always evolving, and so am I.

More than anything, I’ve had to constantly remind myself that I am valuable. That I wouldn’t be here, doing what I love, if I didn’t have something special to offer. Sometimes, you just have to trick your brain into believing that before it fully catches up. Mantras, mindset shifts, celebrating small wins, and just continuing to show up—even when it’s uncomfortable—have made all the difference.

One of my favorite reminders of how far I’ve come is my very first official CPG client: The Downriver Chip Co. (You may have seen them in your local Southeast Michigan Meijer.) Our first Fit Call was honestly kind of rocky—I didn’t feel like I nailed the pitch. But they saw something in me and trusted me to bring their brand to life. I delivered a showstopping brand that blew them away and helped land them in 40+ retailers across Michigan. They’ve since come back for several different projects. That was the moment I knew—I’ve got this.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Brand Storey Studio?
Brand Storey Studio is a boutique branding agency that helps product-based businesses stand out and scale—fast. I specialize in helping emerging CPG brands (think snacks, drinks, pets, wellness—you name it) attract larger retailers and build scroll-stopping brands that fly off the shelves… in just 1–3 days of their time.

Every project begins with a Brand Storey Guide—a strategic roadmap that outlines exactly what a brand needs to do to hit their goals. From brand messaging to packaging design to web presence, it’s a full game plan. Some clients take that guide and run with it on their own—but many choose to hire me to bring it to life through one of my intensive branding experiences. Either way, they walk away with clarity, confidence, and a brand that turns heads.

I’m known for making the branding process fast and painless. I know how to get to the heart of what people actually want and need, which allows me to work quickly and efficiently. I handle all the creative heavy lifting upfront so that, during our session, we can focus on what matters most—getting into the details, making real-time edits, and refining the brand to perfection. No endless email chains. No weeks-long waiting periods. Just gorgeous branding—done right.

I care deeply about the work I do, and I simply don’t have it in me to deliver anything half-baked. I’ve worked across marketing, design, and manufacturing, so I know how to bridge strategy and aesthetics in a way that’s not just beautiful, but functional and effective. And yep—my clients say it best: the designs are cool, the process is smooth, and the results speak for themselves.

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing the brands I’ve designed on store shelves or being talked about online. That’s when it hits—this is real. I get to help people bring their visions to life and watch their businesses grow. That’s the magic of good branding.

At the end of the day, Brand Storey Studio is about more than just pretty packaging—it’s about helping brands find their voice, level up their shelf appeal, and step confidently into the spotlight where they belong.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Branding will always be necessary. You can’t market a product that has no identity. You can’t build customer loyalty without a strong, consistent presence. Branding is the foundation of everything—and it’s not going anywhere.

That said, we’re already seeing a big shift in the industry: AI is here, and it’s not leaving anytime soon. From content creation to design tools, it’s changing how things get done—and honestly, I’m here for it. I believe the creatives who embrace AI as a tool, not a threat, will be the ones who thrive. It’s not about replacing human creativity—it’s about working smarter, not harder.

What makes great branding isn’t just pretty visuals—it’s strategy, storytelling, and emotional connection. And that still requires a human touch. AI can help us streamline and speed things up, sure—but it can’t replicate the gut instinct, taste level, and heart that goes into crafting a brand that actually resonates.

So in 5–10 years, I see the industry becoming a blend of high-tech tools and strategy. The designers and studios who adapt, evolve, and keep their creative edge will be the ones leading the charge. And at Brand Storey Studio, I plan to be right there—balancing soul and systems, and helping brands stand out in a world that’s only getting louder.

Pricing:

• Fit Call – FREE
• 1:1 Brand consultation – $200/hr.
• Brand Storey Guide – $450
• Branding Packages – $3,500-$10,000

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brandstoreystudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstoreystudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandstorey
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandstoreystudio/
• Other: https://portal.brandstoreystudio.com/public/15-minute-fit-call