About the Founder.
Re Perez | CEO & Chief Brand Strategist
I’m 30 years old sitting across the Global Human Resources Director’s chair at one of the top global branding firms, and I ask: “Why am I being passed up for the next level in this company?”
Her response. “You don’t have enough gray hair.”
Translation: I didn’t look old enough.
At that moment, I realized no matter how smart, talented, or dedicated I am, the perception people have of me would either accelerate or stunt my growth. So, I left that position and got recruited to work at other consulting firms. My career eventually took me to work at a firm in Dubai, U.A.E.
No doubt, the experience I gained was invaluable and had shaped my professional branding career. With a resume featuring BrandLink, Interbrand and Siegel+Gale, and a Fortune 500 branding experience with Abbott, GE Money, Intel, Lilly, Nielsen Company, Novo Nordisk, Motorola, TD Ameritrade and Xerox, I had a colorful career learning from some of the most creative and brightest branding professionals in the industry.
But that’s my past. Not my future.
In 2010, I left the corporate branding world after a series of personal life-changing events and a spiritual journey. I needed a change. In a big way. I decided to shift my time, energy and focus towards brands making a social or economic impact in the world. This led to me work with entrepreneurs and small businesses.
My vision: help entrepreneurs be more creative and disruptive than their corporate counterparts. Why? There’s something about the DNA of entrepreneurs that inspires me. Entrepreneurs are self-motivated risk-takers who believe they can create their own destiny and change the world. After months of reading, journaling, and meditating, in January 2011, the concept of Branding For The People was born.
We quickly became the leading branding agency and have branded some of the most inspiring and influential entrepreneurs across 100+ industries and professons. Our global clients include emerging entrepreneurs, Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies, and established multi million-dollar businesses. Since launching the company, we have built a reputation and a proven track record for creating new market leaders and helping existing ones double, triple, and quadruple their business and impact.
Here’s my truth: the more authentic your brand, the more attractive and lucrative your life AND business will be.
If you want just a cheap, amateur logo to build your brand, we can’t help you.
If you’re afraid to invest and would rather play a small game, we’re not a fit.
If you want a cookie-cutter, out-of-the box and unoriginal brand, please look elsewhere.
But…
If you want a brand that
Defines the soul of your business on a deep level.
Is custom-built and authentic.
Creates a movement and makes a positive impact.
You’re in the right place.
Welcome home.
Our Manifesto.
In today’s market, it’s not enough to simply be a brand. It’s takes something more. Something beyond a well-designed logo, a catchy name, and a well-crafted mission statement. What do you want to be known for? How do you want people to remember you? How will you make your brand on the world? You can choose to play small. Or you can choose to play big. At Branding For The People, we know that it’s not enough to play the game. It’s about changing the game altogether.
The Team.
Michelle Peake | Director, Client Services
“Better is one’s own dharma though imperfectly carried out than the dharma of another carried out perfectly.”
– Bhagavad Gita
A veteran in the field of branding, marketing and web development, Michelle has over 20 years of experience spearheading the marketing of brands, building innovative websites and web-based applications for a wide range of industries, both in the domestic and international arenas. Michelle brings to the team the necessary problem-solving skills and risk management perspective that is essential in any brand implementation effort. Prescribing to a philosophy that there are no limits, Michelle approaches all aspects of her life with an open mind and an appetite to learn more.
At the age of 18, with a desire to experience the world, Michelle bought a ticket to Spain. With no guidebook, no Spanish speaking skills, and little money, she boarded a plane for Madrid. After two life-changing months in Europe, Michelle returned to the U.S. with a greater sense of self and a hunger to experience more.
Motivated by her European adventure, Michelle continues to travel to exotic destinations. She has traveled to more than 40 countries, each journey affording her a range of unique and challenging experiences: from learning Kung-fu in the foothills of China at a remote Buddhist monastery to studying Haitian Creole while researching for her Master’s Thesis in Haiti. There is no challenge or experience that Michelle is unwilling to face.
Michelle brings the same sense of adventure and appetite for life to the world of the web. Fascinated by technology’s ability to empower people to live life to the fullest and the Internet’s capacity to connect people from around the world, Michelle is constantly looking for new and innovative ways to share information and streamline communication.
Michelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology and Information Technology and a Master’s degree in International Relations.
Brand that inspire Michelle
Cindy Reyes | Associate Creative Director
“Simplicity does not signify dull or mundane. Simplicity in design is communicating complexity without the clutter.”
Cindy Reyes is a creative thinker, innovator and content creator.
At the tender age of three, rather than playing outside, Cindy would write her own story books and draw illustrations. She’d play restaurant and design her own menus. She’d put on talent shows and design her own posters. Creating visual content has always come naturally for her and has been a pursuit of passion from day one. Creativity runs in her blood.
The works of great minds such as Saul Bass, Paul Rand, Herb Lubalin, Chipp Kidd, Jessica Walsh, & Milton Glaser have been a great inspiration in her work and the ability of color to evoke emotion and affect human psychology has always fascinated her. This passion is what drove her towards Graphic Design.
In 2012, Cindy graduated at the top of her class from San Diego State University where she majored in Graphic Design, and minored in Child & Family Development. Upon graduating from San Diego State University, Cindy began her fast-rising career as an intern at SOLO Eyewear. Her work quickly caught the attention of web-based ecommerce store ModDeals and then recruited by Branding For The People.
indy’s expertise in both print and web design makes her a valuable asset to the company and clients alike. To Cindy, the most rewarding aspect of being a Brand Designer is creating visual identities that truly express a company’s brand vision and self-expression.
In her spare time, when not silently judging your choice of font, Cindy enjoys being active and spending time at the gym. This allows her to go out on the weekends and explore new places to eat around San Diego (guilt-free).
Brands that inspire Cindy
Lidya Toscano | Web Designer
“Less is More”
– Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Lidya Toscano is a Graphic Designer passionate about digital design.
She received her B.A. in Graphic Design from the San Diego State University and quickly began working for a variety of clients, addressing needs that included packaging, layout, website design, email marketing, photo editing, and much more.
After two years as a freelancer, where she not only produced amazing work but also coached clients and agencies about design, one of her clients, ModMerica (a new fashion company), offered Lidya a full-time opportunity. She worked with ModMerica for the next two years and developed the conceptual creative foundation for their emails, which served as ModMerica’s primary advertising channel.
When the time came, Lidya committed to finding a new position where she could assist in a company’s growth while also further developing herself. This decision led her to Branding For The People. When she is not designing, you can find her enjoying a good read, going on a hike, eating healthy (except pizza), joking in English and laughing in Spanish.
Brands that inspire Lidya
Industries and professions we have helped.
Accounting
Acupuncture
Administrative Support Services
Advertising/Publication
Agriculture
Alternative Medicine
Apparel/Accessories
Architecture/Design
Arts, Entertainment
Automotive
Biotechnology
Book Publishing
Branding Agencies
Bridal Wear
Business Coaching
Call Centers
Caregiving
Chemical
Communications Services
Computer/Consulting
Computer/Software
Cosmetics
Data Analytics
Digital Marketing Agencies
Distribution
Education
Electronic Services
Employment
Event Planning
Event Production
Fashion Brands
Financial Services
Fitness
Health & Wellness
Health/Medical Services
Home Improvement
Hospitality Services
Hotel
Human Resources
Industrial Services
Insurance
Interior Design
Investment Services
Janitorial
Landscaping
Legal Services
Management Services
Manufacturing
Marketing Consulting
Media Services
Medical Devices
Merchant Services
Multimedia/Internet/On-line Services
Nutrition
Oil/Gas
Personal Development
Pet Suppliers
Pharmaceutical
Photography
Professional Cleaning Services
Professional Organizing
Real Estate
Rental/Leasing
Restaurant
Security & Investigation
Sexual Empowerment
Speaker Training
Spirituality
Talent Recruitment
Technology
Telecommunication Services
Travel & Tourism
Travel/Transportation
Video
Web Designers
Wholesale
Yoga