Get to know Sam & the Brandstorming Agency

Bella, the Brandstorming mascot!

Artwork by Carly Thalman

The Brandstorming Origin Story

This space is a product of my master’s applied research at Arizona State University. In 2017, coming from my field of Product Design, I committed to an entrepreneurial life path by beginning my master’s degree in Creative Enterprise & Cultural Leadership while also launching a new creative cultural enterprise myself, Latin Night at the Duce. (Now one of the most popular Latin dance events in AZ!)

Upon graduation, I was honored to be named as the Outstanding Graduate Student representing my college, and The Brandstorming Agency was born!

A Deep Dive Into the Events Industry

After grad school, while working on growing Brandstorming, I decided to learn the live events industry from bottom to top. This allowed me to improve all aspects of my own dance event business while also becoming quite skilled in hands-on sales in an elite environment. (A crucial skill I bring to all of my endeavors!)

I was able to learn so much about being a captivating communicator and successful salesperson while working as a professional MC at an upscale event entertainment company for several years, initially training and working as a DJ and MC, then additionally as a sales consultant, mentor to other MCs, and key leadership team member.

In 2022, I left my position to pursue The Brandstorming Agency and my other creative pursuits full time!

Holistic Branding

Although initially I worked with clients in a mostly design-focused capacity, over time I found myself writing and consulting on strategy more and more frequently.

I found that this change created even more impact and results for my clients. Brandstorming Agency still creates beautiful design work, but our focus is also in aligning strategy, design, and messaging to create authentic brand soul and compelling brand experiences for my 1:1 clients.

My three must-haves for coherent, holistic branding are:

  1. Strategic Resonance: We place equal importance on strategy AND emotional resonance while brainstorming and doing high level planning for client branding projects. 

  2. Excellent Design: Aesthetics are vitally important. Design mistakes absolutely do hurt brand trust and credibility, perception of value, and in the worst cases can actually impede customer’s ability to purchase.

  3. Authentic Messaging: The thing that matters when writing or speaking brand messaging is not really the words, but the meaning behind them. What message are you actually trying to communicate and why? This simple but profound question drives all of our copywriting decisions.

What’s next for Brandstorming?

Sign up for the Brandstorming Bites newsletter, or follow along on our Instagram page and see for yourself. ;)

Ready to reach out about your brand, project, or vision? Email Sam at sam@brandstorming.agency.

☆ Fun Facts ☆

  • Perfect 10

    I was a high level competitive gymnast for most of my childhood.

    My first job was coaching children’s gymnastics and cheerleading!

  • West Coast, Best Coast!

    I was born in Cali and have lived in Arizona since 1999.

    I might slightly judge you if you mispronounce the words “saguaro”, “ocotillo”, “javelina”, and “Mogollan Rim”…

    (Sorry, east coast fam.)

  • Woof!

    I’m obsessed with huskies, especially my fluffy white husky mix dog-ter (AKA dog daughter)!

  • 1, 2, Step

    My favorite style to dance is salsa on2, also known as mambo or New York style salsa.

    I learned salsa through a lineage of instructors that can be traced back to Eddie Torres, known as “The Mambo King”.

  • Cool Opportunities

    My dance event, Latin Night at the Duce, has partnered with a variety of local organizations such as the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Latinos Contra El Cancer, Fox10 Arizona, 12 News, and more for cross-cultural promotions and events.

  • Woo Woo

    I’m that person with too large of a crystal collection…

    Sorry not sorry!

  • Chasing Waterfalls

    In my free time, I love to explore outdoors in some more remote areas of AZ. Recently, I’ve been having a blast canyoneering through some of the state’s most gorgeous canyons.

  • Need Photography?

    My photography partner is Cody from CVC Photography. He primarily does portrait photography, brand work, adventure, and landscape work.

★ Elevating brand impact, curating brand soul, and inventing brand universes since 2019 ★

★ Elevating brand impact, curating brand soul, and inventing brand universes since 2019 ★

The Big Two:

Brandstorming Values

CONNECTION

Connection is at the root of everything (just like actual roots).

Sub-values: Communication, Relationships, Language, Harmony, Devotion

TRANSFORMATION

Change is the only constant. Be the catalyst!

Sub-values: Magic, Autonomy, Empowerment, Expression, Power