The Mug Creative

Think pink, think bold, think at the top. 💕💸

“Our website just isn’t US anymore. We have an event next week and we really want to make sure our brand is well-represented. Can you help?”

That’s what our favorite ladies at Top of the Town Marketing told us when they came to us for a new website. We knew their vision had to be bold, vibrant, and totally in sync with their dynamic energy.

So we rolled up our sleeves, grabbed our favorite shades of pink, and got to work! The result? A website that not only represents who they are but also elevates their brand to new heights. 🚀

Check out the full transformation—because when it comes to making an impact, these ladies are always at the top of the town. 🌟

Ready to take your brand from “meh” to “wow”? Our VIP Design Days are all about getting your business looking sharp and standing out—no fluff, just results.

Here’s the deal:

1️⃣ You fill out a quick questionnaire so we can get to know your brand.

2️⃣ We have a strategy chat to nail down your vision.

3️⃣ Then we dive in and make it happen—all in one focused day. 💥

Whether you’re starting fresh or need a rebrand, we’ve got you covered. Let’s make your brand & website the real MVP of your marketing strategy. 🏆

September & October spots are filling up fast, so snag yours now!

Introducing Grey Hill Ponies 🏇

It all started with founder Megan ODonnell’s daughter’s interest in horses and the hunter circuit. It didn’t take long for that love to spread like wildfire through the household.

Their love for horses and sport quickly blossomed into what Grey Hill Farm is today. All ponies born on Grey Hill Farm are shown the love, support, and temperament training to set them up for success in their future endeavors.

We wanted this small family-owned and operated brand to showcase their expertise, love and dedication to their work that grew into a passion for the entire family.

This is a throwback project for us that just didn’t get the proper debut that it deserved and we’re excited to share it with you all. 🐴

Website copy by ✍️
Photography by 📸

Say hello to Sally Barton Interiors! SBI is a boutique interior design studio known for creating timeless, elegant spaces that reflect the unique personality and style of each client. Specializing in both residential and commercial projects like model homes and vacation rentals, they bring a blend of creativity and functionality to every design. ✨

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Sally got the VIP Experience last week 😎🪭

A complete brand refresh in two days.

She had a VIP Copywriting Day with and two days later, she had a VIP Design Day with us where we gave her brand a complete facelift! She said goodbye to her DIY logo and got a refreshed visual identity and website with and automated lead funnel. 🤗

In two days’ work we literally transformed her entire brand to one she is now confident to promote. 🤗

We’re so excited to watch her business flourish! If you’re looking for an interior designer in the Tampa Bay Area, you should definitely check out Sally Barton Interiors.

Imagine trying to find a brokerage that actually gets what you are trying to do with your real estate investment portfolio. Someone who understands the intricate ins & outs of these types of transactions like it’s the back of their hand. And just when you were getting frustrated with all of the agents your friends and Great Aunt Susan keeps sending you, you finally stumble across a brokerage on Instagram that caught your eye.

Enter Mitchell Dean Realty into the chat. MDR isn’t your average brokerage – they’re the real deal when it comes to investment real estate. These pros know how to help you hit your financial goals, whether you’re selling a property or growing your portfolio.

We gave their brand a fresh, bespoke look that screams professionalism and integrity, providing them with the tools they need to grab the attention they deserve in this saturated market. If you’re looking for a top-notch team to guide your real estate journey, these are your people!

From custom graphics and logos to social media templates and their website, Mitchell Dean Realty has all the tools they need to impress and build lasting relationships with their clients.

If you’re looking to finally take that leap, wow your clients, and transform your business into a buzzworthy brand, we’d love to help you! Just shoot us a DM and we’ll send you more information! 💸

How are you utilizing your brand elements to create a cohesive brand experience for your clients?

It’s not enough to hire a designer to create your brand identity if you’re not going to implement them into your brand experience. What makes your brand memorable is all in the details. ✨

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Meet Motion Empowered!

Motion Empowered Physical Therapy provides a fun and educational environment for holistic long-term solutions to physical pain and dysfunction.

Their brand is all about empowering you to take ownership of your health by creating an educational and encouraging environment, reminding you that we can always benefit from “the journey” not just the destination.

*THIS* is what we mean by your brand’s “visual identity.” *THIS* is branding. It’s about every touchpoint coming together seamlessly to create a feeling, an experience.

Let’s take a closer look at Earth Candy.

Earth Candy is bringing ethically sourced, organic treats to the people of Denver, one neighborhood at a time. From the coffee that wakes you up in the morning to the smoothie bowls that fuel you, each taste brings a little more joy into this world. Owners MJ and Miko believe in the true meaning of “living a healthy lifestyle”- mentally, physically, and spiritually and every experience with their brand exudes that. From the transparency of their ethically sourced ingredients to the smile they leave on your face after your interaction with their team, they’re leaving a legacy of happiness in their rear view mirror.

If you want a buzzworthy brand, leave it to us highly caffeinated creators over here at The Mug. We’re already buzzin’ and soon, so will your brand. ✨

Check out the new aesthetic at Pipas Law Group.

We got to play with the darker side of our palette for this one 🎨🕶️. And the result was a website that’s as sharp as the legal minds behind it. No frills, no cheesy SEO jargon. Just straight-up sleek, powerful design. Something different for a *different* type of law firm.

Take a peek at the bold new pipaslaw.com.

Warmly Welcomed is all about serving the Christian girlies! 🎀☕️

This brand is all about empowering young women with tips, tools, and guidance to improve their Bible Study practice!

We really wanted this brand to feel approachable and feminine. Custom doodle illustrations and a handwritten font were created to achieve this, ensuring it embodies the relatability of the brand. 💕

Is it just me or are you hungry to learn about Google’s search algorithm?! 😬 Ok- not my best dad joke, but I hope it caught your attention because this is important.

Ever wonder why you can’t seem to climb the ladder to the first page of Google? It’s all about Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines.

These guidelines are like the secret sauce to making Google (and your audience) sit up and take notice of your website that’s not getting the love it deserves.

Swipe through and ask yourself, “is E-E-A-T implemented on my site?”

Drop the areas you think you can improve on in the comments. Let’s see if we all are on similar paths to getting noticed!

Speak startup to me, because your vision is my new obsession. 😘

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Don’t forget we’re offering 10% off this week on full branding and website packages! Slide into our DMS if you’re DTB (down to brand) 😉 and don’t forget to show yourself some love today! YOU DESERVE IT.

Hey biz bestie! 🩷 Will you be our valentine?

This week only, for Valentine’s Day, we’re spreading the love and giving you 10% off our signature branding and website packages or have some fun & mix and match our a la carte options (for websites 6 pages or more).

If you’ve been thinking about upleveling your brand, now is the perfect time.

Let us help you give your business the love and TLC it deserves this year. 💕 DM us to get started!

Your new view from the top after you launch your new branding and website ✨💸

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Hi friends! Nicole here! Just got back in the office after a week of scaring the sh*t out of myself in the Rockies! ⛷️🏔️

Nothing like a few near death experiences to give you some fresh perspective on taking that leap of faith you’ve been putting off for your business, eh? 😘

Friend! Are you seeing this?!? Our client Maggie sent us this email after receiving her Brand Strategy Guide from us, before we even sent her visual identity to her. And it’s grown 1,000+ more since we received this email a couple days ago!

That is the beauty of hiring brand designers (not just logo designers) who are rooted in strategy.

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And these results are the beauty of strategic branding *if utilized correctly*. Growth.

We want to see you grow. We want to see your brand flourish.

We provide all of our Branding Bundle clients with an intensive Brand Strategy Guide designed to help you connect with your audience on a deeper level and create content purposefully.

Hear me out. You can leverage your branding to your advantage if you not only use your visual identity as intended, but if you focus on the strategy behind the brand and the message you put out to your audience.

We want to help you build the brand of your dreams. If you want more information on how we can help you do this, just shoot us a DM. ✨

Some of you need to hear this. In 2024, Google’s algorithm is putting a heavy focus on original, fresh, people-first content!

So if your SEO Manager is still prioritizing algorithms over serving your website visitors with a true unique and helpful user experience, it’s probably time to reevaluate that relationship.

Ready to take your online presence to the next level? If you liked this post, follow us for more helpful website tips! We have so much more content like this in store for you. 🤓

Hey everyone! Big changes are coming to how emails reach our inboxes, and this news is important for all entrepreneurs who send emails using a custom domain.

Gmail and Yahoo are setting new standards, and here’s what it means for you:

1️⃣ Email Authentication is Key: From 2024, you’ll need to authenticate your emails using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. This is crucial for all senders, regardless of the platform, to ensure your emails aren’t marked as spam or fraud.

2️⃣ Easy Unsubscribing: One-click unsubscribe is becoming a must. This ensures a better experience for your subscribers and aligns with user-centric email practices.

3️⃣ Watch Your Spam Rates: Keeping spam complaints low (below 0.3%) is vital. High rates can signal issues with your content or subscription processes.

Stay informed and prepared! Check out our blog for a detailed breakdown and how to implement them. 📝💡

Dreaming of transforming your business into an Instagram-worthy, fully booked out brand? Swipe through to see how we can make it happen together.

Let’s chat and turn those dreams into reality!

Ringing in 2024 with the same vibe, but even bigger dreams 🌟 New Year, Same Mission: Elevating your business to dream-worthy heights!

We are so grateful for an amazing year with you all, and can’t wait for the new success stories in store for this year. Let’s make 2024 unforgettable! ✨

Our team will be back to normal business hours tomorrow! Looking forward to reconnecting with you all soon!

With a new year just a few sleeps away, I think new introductions are in order! Meet the designers behind The Mug!

I’ll start with myself first. Hi, I’m Nicole (your girl in pink, always with a coffee in hand) and I’m the Founder and Chief Designer here at The Mug. I’m a color-loving, serial hype girl who nerds out about all things business and entrepreneurship.

Now enough about me, let me introduce you to the creative prodigies next to me.

These girls have allowed me to turn my wildest dream of owning my own design studio into a reality. They have also helped countless entrepreneurs turn their businesses into beautiful show-stopping brands.

Meghan, Account Manager and Designer, runs our Alaska office and is my right hand gal. She’s always on top of the latest trends and is truly a Jane of all trades. She’s one of those people you can always count on to help turn your ideas into reality.

Gabby, Junior Designer, has more creative talent in her left thumb than most people have in their entire body. From problem solving to concept development, she is a force that we are blessed to have on our team (and yours).

If you’re new here, welcome. ✨😊 Kick off your shoes, grab a mug, and stay awhile. We’ve got some exciting things in store for you.

As I’m sipping my peppermint mocha and wrapping up another year, I’m reflecting on all the amazing journeys we’ve shared with you all in 2023. ✨

Now we’re counting down to 2024, and I’m beyond excited to open our doors for new stories, new dreams, and new successes together.

Let’s turn your brilliant ideas into visual wonders this coming year. We can’t wait to start this new chapter with you! 🎉💕☕

A little Monday Meme fun! 😋

New designer spotlight! 👩‍💻✨

Meet Gabby, our newest team member joining us a Junior Designer!

Gabby combines her passion for design with real-world experience in marketing and graphic design. As a soon-to-be graduate from Ringling College with a business and design background, she’s all set to make a big impact. 🎓

When she’s not designing, Gabby loves beach days, exploring new cultures, and play time with her dog. 🏖️🐶

We are so incredibly excited to have her talent and unique eye for modern design on our team. Welcome Gabby!! 🤍

A little one-day redesign magic for You. Organized by Barb! ✨ Since we originally launched her website in 2021, Barb’s business has grown astronomically. Now her calendar is booked out, she’s growing a team, and drilling down on offerings that her clients need most. THIS. RIGHT HERE. Is why we do what we do. It fills our cup. 🖤☕️

Now back to Barb. As it should, a lot has changed in her business over the last couple years, including her target audience.

When this happens in your business, don’t freak out. Not only is it inevitable, it’s the perfect time to evaluate your messaging and website to realign with your new direction so you can continue to grow. And when it’s that time, you know who to call. 😉

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Ok after seeing this, who wouldn’t hire Cosmo Cruisers for their next event or party?! 🍸

I actually designed these logo concepts in TWO HOURS from ground zero yesterday for our VIP Day client, and sadly- they just weren’t our client’s vibe.

But I thought they deserved a spot on the feed anyways! So a little bippity boppity boo 🪄…

I changed the name, color scheme and conceptualized *my* version of a mobile bar company using AI. I’ve always wanted a VW bus but can you imagine having a restomod fleet of these babies that double as a vibey mobile bar or private date night spot?!

I’m in love. 😍

Running a business can feel like your schedule is tighter than a pair of jeans after thanksgiving dinner. 🦃

You’ve got a million and one things on your plate and the last thing you want to worry about is building your own website or communicating with a designer for weeks to even months on end before you finally get to the finish line.

& that’s precisely why we built our VIP Day program. 👩‍💻 We’ve made launching your new website as seamless (and dare I say, FUN) as possible so you can focus on what you do best. 💪🏼

Interested in getting your new website launched ASAP? Fill out the VIP application on our website! *link in bio*

My mental-getaway of choice is usually curled up inside my ridiculously oversized chunky blanket, buried in a fantasy book. It’s my psyche sabbatical from Capricornism. IYKYK.

But the truth is, when I’m reading for personal & professional growth, I truly feel like I am feeding my soul. So today I thought I would share some entrepreneurial favorites for business growth with all of you! In no particular order:

You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero: Where are my mindset mamas at?! This empowering book offers a refreshing dose of motivation and practical advice for those who struggle with self-doubt and self-inflicted limitations. If you’re trying to pursue your passions and confidently step into inner potential- this one's for you.

How to Grow Your Small Business by Donald Miller: Fresh off the press- this is brand expert Donald Miller’s most recent book that you know I got on pre-order! It did not disappoint. This book provides an easy-to-follow, no-nonsense 6-step plan to help your business take off. The entire plan is written in an airplane metaphor to compare six parts of an airplane to six parts of your business. Pick this one up and learn how to take your business off the ground the right way.

Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller: Another business-supercharger by Donald Miller. Ever wondered why some brands just *click* with people? Well, the truth is in the pudding… or this book. Using the magic of storytelling, this book will teach you how to amp up your brand game and have customers truly connect with your message.

Obsessed: Building a Brand People Love From Day One by Emily Heyward: This one is for all of my fellow branding nerds. It dives into some of the most show-stopping brands we know and love, their unique strategy and provides a practical manual on how modern marketing actually works.

The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon: If you want to be a leader in your business, industry, and community, this is a must-read. Provided through a motivational tale, this book teaches invaluable lessons on the power of positivity and shines a light on the truths that define great leaders, great teams, and great energy.

Happy reading! 📖📚

“Note to self: don’t forget to tell people how EASY it is to work with me.”

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One of the biggest mistakes we see entrepreneurs making on their website is forgetting to tell their audience how easy the next steps are to getting their problem solved.

Even if there are countless steps that you take care of behind the scenes for your clients, uncomplicated it for them.

Combat decision fatigue, prompt action, and boost conversions by condensing your process into 3 straightforward steps.

(& thank us later 😊)

Well, it’s about time! *pats self on the back* Our 2023 Pricing & Services Guide is out! 🥳

Our signature packages have been updated and you’ll notice we’ve made some price changes to our á la carte branding & website services. We also no longer are offering our “Branding Mini” package.

Check out all of the recent updates by clicking the link in our bio and entering your name and email address ☀️

And stay tuned because we have even more BIG updates coming out soon! ☺️