25 Years of Brave Hearts and Big Ideas: Reflections on Redhead
When I founded Redhead in 2000 (armed with a MacBook, a spare bedroom, and a dream, as they say), I built the organization on a simple but powerful belief: that good storytelling and smart design can change the world.
What started as a solo venture soon grew into a dynamic agency filled with brilliant minds, all dedicated to crafting work that makes an impact on our people, our places, and the prosperity of our communities. In the early days, Redhead was known for its homegrown, get-it-done persona. Even then, we aligned our work with organizations focused on social change and big-picture impact. (Shoutout Capital Area United Way, now known as United Way of South Central Michigan — our first client!)
As a team, Redheads were, and always have been, a crowd of quirky folks that bring creativity and a whole lot of talent to what they do. All of our creatives throughout the years, from designers to project managers to interns, have left their stamp and shaped what Redhead is today.
As you’ll recall, we’ve also taken on more than a handful of creative ventures over the years. From Ginger, to our zine Louise, to our office moving parade that featured a live donkey and a Boy Scout with a stop sign, we understood the value of carving out space to experiment and explore. We are proud to share that the passion project remains a core tenant of Redhead today. After all, side quests make us better at our jobs.
And, of course, there’s our clients. In our 25 years, Redhead has had the opportunity to partner with some incredible organizations and individuals that bring meaningful projects to life. These are usually led by whip-smart humans who have an irrevocable belief in their cause. We’ve helped mission-led organizations amplify their messages, guided businesses through brand transformations and times of transition, and created campaigns that sparked conversations and inspired change. Still, our greatest accomplishment hasn’t been leaving our mark through massive brands or statewide campaigns; it’s inspiring everyday people to consider something new. Our audiences are everything. And when we can convert one skeptic toward your goal, that’s a win.
Our projects and client stories don’t end when we wrap up the project and send out the final files. They extend far beyond our work here at Redhead, going on to directly change lives in our neighborhoods, across the state, and around the world. That ripple effect is what drives us to create every day. Our clients and partners are the agents of change that make it happen.
Celebrating our 25th anniversary is not solely a reflection on how far Redhead has come, but a thank you to every individual and organization that has played a role in our story — clients, partners, friends, family, vendors, mentors, neighbors, community leaders, and team members past and present. Every logo we’ve designed, every brand we’ve built, and every campaign we’ve launched has been made meaningful by the people who have trusted us with their vision. Seriously, thank you.
While we love to reminisce, we’re even more excited about where we’re headed. We’ve got big plans for the year ahead and beyond at Redhead. (And some updates here and there, too.) As we move forward, we’re committed to building on 25 years’ worth of momentum. We will continue to innovate, evolve, and create meaningful work that inspires change. The future of Redhead is bright, and we can’t wait to build what’s next. Thanks for coming along for the ride.