Fried Hustle

Please describe your company and your position there.

Sweet Remedies provides herbal medicine, healing events, and decadent herbal treats, all focused on connecting people to the beauty and healing powers of this earth.

I'm the owner and creator behind the scenes, doing everything from growing the medicinal plants, baking sweet treats, and hosting mindfulness events.

For what projects/services did your company hire Fried Hustle?

To create visual guidelines and brand identity for Sweet Remedies products as well as to establish a company mission, structure, and direction. I handle all aspects of the company.

I am much more skilled at growing plants and making medicine than I am at branding and design (and would rather spend my time in the garden than at a computer!), so I outsourced this need.

What were your goals for this project?

Before hiring Fried Hustle, I was handwriting labels for each bottle, which was time consuming and not the aesthetic I desired.

My goals were to go through a brand identity process to consolidate and clarify my brand, and to create cohesion across my products. I wanted to end up with a quickly usable label for my products, as well as cohesive digital marketing.

How did you select Fried Hustle?

I used to live in Austin, where Fried Hustle is based, and one of the owners and I run in the same creative circles.

I had seen some great work from Fried Hustle, and it was important to me to find a company who's values and operating practices felt in alignment with mine.

Specifically, I wanted to find a woman-owned business who also centered marginalized voices and integrity in their work. After talking more with them about it, it was clear to me that they were the only choice.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Brand Identity: Visual Branding, Brand Messaging, & Brand Structure Completed Market Research (researched other herbal/tincture companies in this field) Addressed target demographic Created Label & Logo (they created a few variations and I decided on my favorite).

Drilling down the existing broad concept to something more specific to create brand guidelines. They pulled it all into a more focused concept, from many ideas and many directions to a more specific and focused through-line.

(I had lots of ideas and dreams, but had not be able to distill these down into some easy to execute visual concepts, so they helped organized and polish the existing concepts.)

What was the team composition?

I worked with the two co-founders, Carolyn & Summer. They work really collaboratively so the three of us worked closely together to bring the Sweet Remedies brand to life.

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

I'm super happy with the label design for my products and how they brought clarity and direction to the brand.

I have gotten a ton of feedback from clients about how beautiful my products are, I have been able to get orders out the door much faster, and have increased my reach from a few product sales here and there to big orders for large organizations.

Fried Hustle developed a cohesive brand identity for me, which these labels are only a small part of. I'm excited to be moving forward with them this year for the next stage.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Fried Hustle created a general timeline that was flexible and worked with my needs. They presented the deliverables on time, and checked in with me along the way. They made sure all the elements of the project stayed on track.

We used a combination of google drive folders and docs, design spreads, and email to manage the workflow, which worked perfectly with my capacity. Any time I had feedback, it was well received, and Fried Hustle adapted creatively to move us forward.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was most impressed with the way Summer and Carolyn were able to listen to my broad, somewhat ambiguous ideas (I'm a dreamer, after all) and to turn them into a cohesive, coherent, executable brand identity.

I loved the way they were able to bring focus and clarity to a constellation of different ideas, products, and concepts. Their knowledge and expertise helped refine the brand and simplify my messaging in a way that not only expresses my values and goals for the brand but that also resonates with my customers.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can't think of any. Fried Hustle is on top of their game. They were always super responsive and ready with the deliverables, if I had been quicker with my response time and feedback, I think we would have finished the project even sooner.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of L’Ancla. We are a consulting firm that does anti-racism work.

What challenge were you trying to address with Fried Hustle?

We were looking for a culturally relevant branding image. The branding image that we had adopted, we had really outgrown, so we wanted to update that.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They completely re-engineered our logo and updated our branding around that. They developed a web splash page for us, delivered a full branding package including letterhead and note cards, and ran a couple of brochure-type marketing pushes for us. We’ve wrapped up some of those parts of the work, but they are continuing to do some marketing for us and we’re moving towards launching a full website with them as well.

What is the team composition?

I worked with two people primarily, Summer (Co-Founder, Fried Hustle) and Carolyn (Co-Founder, Fried Hustle).

How did you come to work with Fried Hustle?

They came very highly recommended to us by someone who does some of our social media work. We ended up choosing them over other folks because of how beautifully they answered some of our anti-racism related questions. It was clear that they were very conscious of their role in racialization processes, so for us, it was an easy decision from there.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $15,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Fried Hustle in December 2018 and our work is ongoing.

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

I am extremely happy with the work they did on our logo in particular. Our company’s name means “the anchor” in Spanish, and I think that the logo has actually really anchored our brand. Their marketing material places us solidly into the space that we work in and takes us in exactly the direction we want to go on top of that. As a person overseeing the overall management and vision of the company, it’s very hard to get into the details that other people are paying attention to, so I’ve really appreciated being able to count on them to handle that well.

How did Fried Hustle perform from a project management standpoint?

They did a really nice job of clearly communicating what they could do and what their limitations are. Both in writing and verbally, they were able to say what they could accomplish and by what date, and because of that they’ve never really missed a deadline. I don’t think that’s too unusual among marketing companies, but what I really appreciated is just how clear they are about that process.

They created an online timeline for us to track all the different projects, which was very helpful. I never felt like I needed to micromanage them at all because of how thorough they were around some of the unspoken parts of the branding process. They took the time to really understand what we wanted to convey and what we wanted people to feel when they looked at our logo before they started their work.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They operate with integrity at all times.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Because they are small and trying to establish themselves, I think that they are focused a little more on the business side of their growth, but I think that as they grow I hope that they will be able to diversify their workforce and include more creative minds.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would just suggest that a potential client be very clear with them about expectations, and then trust their process as the project moves forward.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and president of Dripping Springs Distilling. We produce 17 different products. 

What challenge were you trying to address with Fried Hustle?

I needed a company to create appropriate, exciting branding for our new products.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They completed a project for a line extension of non-alcoholic mixers. I launched four new flavors and an Old Fashioned mix. They took the identity that was already there from the existing products and reimagined that brand identity to give these new expressions a new life and a fresh feel. They developed the storylines, artwork, and label work. They’re in distribution now.

They’ve also created the brand identity, the brand story, the graphics, and label for Republic Bloody Mary Mix. After we’ve launched that product, I’ll use them to do website development. They provide overarching branding that impacts premise sales, social media, and distribution. 

We’re currently working on a high-end French-style brandy. It’s only made once a year with famous local peaches when the harvest is done. They’re creating an identity for this product to catch the attention of the consumer and explain its high quality and value to justify its extremely expensive cost. What they’re creating also has to be educational because the vast majority of the drinking public isn’t familiar with eau de vies. It’s a big project to create a brand identity that will grab the attention of the consumer and pull them in enough to read it, understand it, and want to buy the product. We’re working on the brand concept and the brand story. 

What is the team composition? 

I work with the two partners. They delegate to lots of folks within the organization.

How did you come to work with Fried Hustle?

One of the partners in Fried Hustle is my daughter, who has worked for me before in this business doing creative work. We’ve worked with several companies, but we chose Fried Hustle, not because of any personal relationship, but because the work that they can do is on a much higher level. Knowing the quality and the industry insights that Fried Hustle has, they were the logical folks to use.

How much have you invested with them?

They charge $65/hour for work that would otherwise cost at least $100/hour. We book about 30 hours/month with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2019, and the work is ongoing. We have an ongoing relationship with them because I’m continually developing new products.

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Of the four line extensions of Republic Spirit Blends that have already hit the market, two of them are outselling the four existing products that have been on the marketplace for the last nine years. I couldn’t be happier. I was shocked at how quickly we saw the success. The label work that they did grabbed consumer attention in just a matter of months. What they brought to the table was beyond my expectations.

How did Fried Hustle perform from a project management standpoint?

They come up with concepts and mood boards, and we meet face-to-face and talk through the ideas. Then, they take the chosen ideas and continually develop them to the next level. It’s extremely collaborative. They bring a freshness and openness as well as a high skill level to the relationship.

We communicate via email, text, phone, and face-to-face. We discuss goals and deadlines, and they deliver. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Old school marketing ad agencies skew toward older demographics and newer agencies skew toward specifically young markets. The cool thing about Fried Hustle is that they understand this industry well enough that they’re able to produce work that appeals to a broad spectrum of folks. Our acceptance among millennials to boomers has been equal across the board in terms of the feedback that we’re getting. Fried Hustle covers the full market spectrum and understands marketing to the available marketplace.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have any complaints. They always deliver on time, but they’re picking up enough clients that they could potentially become stretched on time. They may need to expand to fulfill the business.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The more that you can talk specifically and clearly about the goals, the quicker the work will get up and running. They’re outstanding listeners. If you can completely lay out what success will look like and be directive, they’ll deliver great ideas. 

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a startup in ladies garments, and am in development.

For what projects/services did your company hire Fried Hustle?

Having branding in place prior to development is essential in order to create a trademark look. I got the Basic Branding package.

What were your goals for this project?

Everything in their Basic Branding Package was what I was needing prior to development:

• Target demographic
• Brand Values
• Name Development & Naming Consultation
• Mission Statement
• Unique Selling Proposition
• Brand Positioning

Visual Brand:

• Mood Board
• Logo
• Brand Colors
• Brand Fonts
• Photography Style

Verbal Brand:

• Brand Voice
• Slogan
• Elevator Pitch
• Conduct research and analyze competitors to understand the market and the target demographic.
• Develop a strategic visual, verbal, and experiential brand to be presented in a brand book.

How did you select Fried Hustle?

Reviews were very postiive, they are located local to me, they are women owned, and their own website design resonated with me. I also felt like a large firm would not be beneficial. I needed something more attentive and creative for my smaller budget.

What was the team composition?

I worked with Carolyn and Summer directly in zoom meetings, and via email. They are a good team.

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Yes, it was a valuable to expedite the process of branding, mission statement, market research, and all the other deliverables. My time is much better spent elsewhere, and hiring them made a large portion of my needs much more enjoyable and effortless.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Super team, like them, they are prompt, thorough, and accessible.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They delivered everything I wanted on time with no issues. They did a great job.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I am not going to say so, no. I plan on using Fried Hustle for more than just branding, as I need to. I felt well cared for, they are bright, efficient, prompt, skilled, and they deliver.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the owner/founder of a liquor company. We manufacture Tequila from Mexico and import into the US and distribute throughout the state of Texas.

For what projects/services did your company hire Fried Hustle, and what were your goals?

As a startup liquor brand, I needed some direction as far as liquor laws, acquiring a wholesaler for distribution, and assisting with building brand awareness.

How did you select Fried Hustle and what were the deciding factors?

I came across Fried Hustle, they were referred to me in a Facebook group. There I connected with Carolyn and we scheduled a meeting with herself and Summer. At the time, I was looking for assistance with startup and they mentioned that they've both worked in the liquor industry for a few years and assisted liquor companies with brand growth.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

- Biweekly & Monthly consultation - Website development - Social Media Management

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

1. Co-Founder

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Since working with Fried Hustle, my brand is in the final weeks of launching. We have a distributor, marketing plan, and have received all permitting documentation and are aware of law regulations.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timelines.

Communication is consistent. They're always available and any questions or concerns that I have, they've provided answers.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

That they're female-owned, their stance on on-going social issues, their ability to deliver on what they promise and the cost are outstanding.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

None at the moment.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Marketing Director for Shippy Properties a growing multifamily property management company based in Austin, TX. I oversee our marketing efforts portfolio wide including: branding, website development, and reputation management.

For what projects/services did your company hire Fried Hustle?

We hired Fried Hustle to help us establish strong brand identities for each of our properties quickly so that we could move forward in developing new websites, marketing materials and property signage.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals were to have establish strong brand guidelines at each of our properties so that we could establish a cohesive image online and on-site. We wanted to have branded, colors, logos, fonts, etc. for our on-site teams to use when marketing the properties.

How did you select this vendor?

I did not select this vendor. This vendor had been hired prior to my arrival at Shippy Properties. I will say that upon meeting the team, they were pleasant to work with.

Because I was transitioned to the project after they had been hired, I did need to establish new expectations with the Fried Hustle team. They were very receptive to the timeline I established and understood the quality of work I expected. They met all of the timelines established and produced high quality work.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

On this project, we first met several times to establish clear guidelines and a structure of how the project would progress. We first established a strong brand for the parent company Shippy Properties and then broke down the rest of the portfolio into 3 sub-brands at a time which they presented to our team every 2-3weeks until they had completed the portfolio.

What was the team composition?

I worked directly with the founder Carolyn.

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Since working with Fried Hustle we have been able to use the branding guidelines that we established to move forward with our company and successfully grow our business. With the logos and branding they helped us create we have been able to easily design new websites and marketing campaigns.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I provided the Fried Hustle team a timeline that fit the needs of our company. Together we broke down the project into several benchmark meetings where the Fried Hustle team would come into our office and present 3 property brands every 2-3 weeks. This worked well for our company and we never had any communication issues with Fried Hustle.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was most impressed with Fried Hustles ability to meet our expectations for them to produce high quality branding quickly. Only once did I ever need to send work back to be improved. They were extremely receptive to all revisions, expectations, and timelines. We truly appreciated this.

Are there any areas for improvement?

During the period we worked with Fried Hustle we saw their company improve significantly. We hope that they can continue to grow and be successful.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Co founder of distillery

For what projects/services did your company hire Fried Hustle?

Launch of company, brand and product.

What were your goals for this project?

Get PR coverage, launch social media platform, etc.

How did you select Fried Hustle?

in depth industry experience Great digital marketing and events expertise

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Press releases, social media posts, branding elements and strategy, look and feel, events management, general digital marketing.

What was the team composition?

2 principals and acsc founders.

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We have had the pleasure to work with Carolyn and Summer at Fried Hustle for over a year. We couldn’t be happier with the quality of the work they have done for us. Carolyn and Summer offer a unique combination of extensive spirits industry experience, creativity and deep connections. This has resulted in some wonderful PR coverage for our company, nationwide (Forbes.com) and locally.

They have also brought us many trade show and consumer events opportunities (including charities) that have helped us significantly increase awareness for our brand. Their involvement in our social media efforts have also helped us jump start our networking with existing and potential customers. Their input across many other marketing and communication issues has proven invaluable during that time.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Perfection!

What did you find most impressive about this company?

See above.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None.