WHERE AUTHENTICITY MEETS AESTHETICS.
In a world filled with superficiality and pretense, authenticity is the currency of trust. It enables us to form genuine relationships, fosters understanding, and encourages open communication. Authenticity breeds innovation and creativity by allowing people to express their true selves, fostering a diverse and dynamic society. It’s the driving force behind personal growth and self-discovery, as well as the catalyst for positive change. This trust forms the foundation of enduring customer loyalty, as people are more likely to support and advocate for brands they believe in.
FOUNDER + CREATIVE DIRECTOR
CORTINA
JENELLE
CALDWELL
Cortina Jenelle Caldwell, MAML is a Southern Appalachia native and Chattanooga, TN resident on a mission to make the world, or at least her corner of it, a better place. Since the age of 12, Cortina has been an entrepreneur and creative, learning at the hands of elders, mentors and teachers in the rural South about how to serve, how to build good business and how to be a leader in her own life. The early teachings through school and life ignited a passion to build the life of her dreams and go beyond the limitations imposed upon her by society. Today, Cortina is Founder + Creative Director for Cortina Jenelle Branding Agency, which offers creative and design services to purpose-driven brands with the intention of using technology as a force for good. Cortina holds a Masters of Arts in Business Management & Leadership (MAML); is a certified Full Stack Web Developer as a graduate of Savvy Coders; a certified Agile Professional through ICAgile; a certifed Creative Facilitator endorsed by PYE Global; a certified Grantwriter by way of Western Carolina University; certified DEIB Strategist through Racial Equity Institute, Building Bridges, GARE and others; and holds rank as a travel planner with Travel Quest Network, commercial asset protector with Thimble and a self-taught UX/UI designer with nearly 10 years of hands-on project experience. Cortina has also been awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Univeral Life Minisitries for her research and contributions to the just treatment of all people. In 2022, Cortina self-published, part memoir + part DEIB playbook, How to Heal the Planet from Wherever You Are: Leaning Into the Cosmic + Planetary Link Between Ancestral Healing, Collective Liberation + Entrepreneurship, which is available at independent bookstores across the globe as well as Barnes & Noble, Abe Books, Amazon + Better World Books.
BRAND DEVELOPMENT
Authentic brands don’t just sell products or services; they convey a genuine sense of purpose, values, and identity. By staying true to their core values, brands resonate with consumers on a deeper level.
Authentic brands embrace their uniqueness and are unafraid to stand out in the market. It’s the secret sauce for building a brand that not only survives but thrives in the ever-evolving business landscape. Authenticity in brand development is a powerful driver of trust. Customers are drawn to brands that are transparent, honest, and consistent in their messaging and actions.
leadership DEVELOPMENT
Branding is not just about the designs we produce or the ads we optimize with SEO, it is also about your internal culture. Who are the people driving the mission and strategies of what you do?
In the realm of leadership development, authenticity is the cornerstone of success. Authentic leaders are those who inspire and empower by being true to themselves, setting a genuine example that others can follow. By embracing their own strengths, vulnerabilities, and values, authentic leaders build trust within their teams, creating an environment where open and honest communication thrives.
LET’S GET TO WORK
THE PROCESS
DISCOVERY CALL
We’ll meet virtually or in-person (hopefully with a good cup of coffee or tea!) and have an initial discussion about your needs. Depending on the scope, a deposit may be requested to keep the Discovery Call, which would be applied towards project costs later. During this time, my primary goal will be to gather essential information, align our expectations, and explore how my services can best address your unique needs and definition of success. After this, an estimate is delivered to you via email.
DEVELOP A STRATEGY
Once you’re on board with the investment the project will require in order to be successful, we’ll get to work. We will craft a comprehensive plan that fits within the scope and develop a roadmap for hitting the target on your success. This may involve defining what the brand identity, core values, target audience, style guide, messaging or internal trainings, depending on what you need. There will be research, development of user stories, prototyping, mockups + more here.
WORK THE PLAN
At our final stage in the process, you will experience the results of our work together. Deliverables handed off to you in the form of a shared folder for future access. On-demand coaching from the strategy phase will continue with a focus on how to best sustain the work that we’ve done together, in order to increase your return on investment and set you up for long-term success beyond our time. If desired, we can also arrange for future check-ins, team trainings or take on other projects to free up your time, as needed or desired.
A TINY GLIMPSE AT THE ROSTER OF
HAPPY CLIENTS
Awards & Recognition
Authenticity makes the world go round by shaping a more honest, empathetic and interconnected global community. By viewing diversity as a resource, we become more dynamic in our solutions. The work speaks for itself and our clients and community agree!
WNC WOMEN LEADER IN ART + CULTURE | 2019
Tzedek Impact Award Winner | 2019-2020
EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR | WNC MINORITY ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT | 2012
KNOW Global Women of the Year | 2020
UX/UI DESIGN BOOTCAMPER CONTRA | 2022
Our brand promise is excellent service and beautiful design - a guarantee backed by an award-winning, human-centered process refined over an 10+ year tenure. We save our clients time and money so they can focus on building a better tomorrow, today. Let's get to work.