Hi, I’m Rik Brown, the founder of Slipway. I learned my trade as a creative, then creative director, at global advertising and branding agencies in London, before moving to Portishead. Meeting local entrepreneurs, I was struck by the energy and creativity of local startups and small companies. And also by how, in the excitement and urgency of building the business, branding can easily fall down the priority list in favour of a quick logo solution and instant marketing.

My experience working on global brands has taught me how important consistent branding is to their success. And I believe smaller companies can grow more quickly with simple, consistent messaging. But why should a startup spend money on an agency with more employees than they have themselves? Collaboration works best with small teams.

This is the idea behind Slipway Branding. I offer startups in Bristol and the South West the same services as an agency, but at a smaller scale: I have been a strategic creative, an art director, a designer and a copywriter, so I have the skills to bring the entire project together, from strategy to identity and messaging. 

I am not so much a branding agency as a creative director that you can plug into your business - a pilot to see you safely into deeper water. I have talented colleagues to call on if I need specialist expertise, but by working across the entire brand I can keep costs down for you, while ensuring a single vision across the visual and verbal elements.

First, we’ll have a free no-commitment intro call to meet each other and see how I can help. I’ll put together a proposal and quote. Then we’ll take the plunge, with an in-depth meeting where I’ll ask a lot of questions. About your business, your sector, your competition, and your customers.

After that, we’ll have 4 weekly catchups where I share ideas and take feedback, shaping the brand together.

At the end of the journey, you’ll have a brand book to help you ply your trade, including a messaging framework to add structure to your marketing.

And if you’d like me to help with advertising or messaging after that, I can do that too.

Get in touch to arrange a first meeting, and float your business with an old hand.