Design Chew: Interview with Megan Kranzler

Below is a one-on-one interview with Megan Kranzler, founder of Olive Ridley Studios. Kranzler is the only original member of Design Chew and was asked about her experience being in the group these past three years.

Tell me about your business & what were your struggles in your business before you joined DC?

Megan Kranzler: My business, Olive Ridley Studios, is a branding and design agency that focuses on visual and physical branding, as well as experiential design. I mainly work on brand identity, packaging, and creating branded spaces for retail and trade show environments. I also do vehicle wrap design. Basically, I help small businesses build their brand and bring it to life in the real world — my tagline is “I help small businesses make big waves.”

Before joining Design Chew, I was really struggling with working from home and feeling super isolated. I didn’t have a community or coworkers, or even just someone to bounce ideas off or talk to about business stuff. I started Olive Ridley Studios with a design background — not a business one — so I often felt like I was figuring things out on my own. Joining Design Chew has seriously been a game-changer. It’s given me a sense of community and the support I didn’t even realize I was missing.

What made you want to join Design Chew?

MK: I decided to join Design Chew because, honestly, running a business — especially from home — can get really lonely. Like I said earlier, I started Olive Ridley Studios with a design background, not a business one, so I didn’t have anyone to talk to about the behind-the-scenes stuff — like pricing, client issues, or strategy. I was figuring it all out on my own, and it got pretty overwhelming at times.

What I was really missing was a sense of community. I wanted people I could bounce ideas off of, talk through challenges with, and just feel like I wasn’t doing this all by myself. Design Chew gave me exactly that — and honestly, so much more. It’s like having coworkers again, but better, because we’re all in the same boat and genuinely want to support each other. It’s gone from just being about business to building real friendships.

What’s especially great is that everyone in the group gets it. Running a design agency is such a specific kind of business, and having people who truly understand those unique challenges has been huge. We talk shop, support one another, and share what we’ve learned along the way. I’ve picked up so much from the group, and being able to share my own experiences has helped me realize how much I actually have to offer, too. It’s a really supportive, two-way street — and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.

What has your experience been like so far in Design Chew?

MK: Honestly, it’s been super rewarding. The group feels like having coworkers who are also my friends. Every time we meet, I’m genuinely excited to catch up and hear how everyone is doing. We all care about each other’s businesses and personal lives, and it’s really great to be part of a community that supports one another.

I’ve learned so much from the group, and I’ve also had the chance to share what I know, which has been really cool. It’s a great balance where we’re all learning and growing together. That kind of mutual support has really helped me see more value in what I bring to the table.

What’s your favorite thing about Design Chew?

MK: Honestly, I love everything we do in Design Chew, but meeting in person has definitely been my favorite part. Getting to hang out with everyone at the ISA conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, having dinner, and just spending time together was such a great experience. I really wish the whole group could’ve been there — it would’ve been amazing. Hopefully, in the future, we can all meet up in one place!

But yeah, I really look forward to our meetings. I always get something valuable out of them, and it’s just great to catch up with everyone. It doesn’t feel like a chore or something I’m dreading on my calendar. I actually look forward to seeing the people in our group — it’s a highlight of my week.

Which Design Chew topic have you enjoyed the most?

MK: There are so many great topics, but if I had to pick one, it’d be the scary stories topic that we did around Halloween. That one really stood out to me. It was so fun looking back on things that went wrong and just laughing about it as a group. We all shared our horror stories, and by the end, it felt pretty cathartic — just laughing off our mistakes. It’s a good reminder that we all mess up sometimes, and the key is to learn from it.

Has there been a guest speaker at Design Chew who really stood out to you?

MK: Yeah, a couple of guest speakers really stood out to me. I really enjoyed our own Design Chew member Craig Whitehead’s talk on sustainability practices in signage — I learned a ton from that one. It was super insightful and practical. I also really liked hearing from Gerri Hansen at BrandSensory. Her take on branding from a sensory perspective was so interesting. She seriously takes branding to a whole new level.

What I love is that we get speakers from all over the world with totally different backgrounds and experiences. It adds so much depth to the group, especially since Design Chew already brings together such a diverse mix of people. It’s always cool to hear fresh perspectives like that.

How has being part of Design Chew impacted your business?

MK: Since joining Design Chew, my business has definitely improved. One big change is that I’ve raised my rates over the last few years, and a lot of that came from the pricing exercises and discussions we’ve had in the group. Now, I feel way more confident about the rates I charge because I know I’m charging what I’m actually worth.

There’s been a lot of growth for me — some of it’s just the natural progression of business, but a lot of it’s come from what I’ve learned from everyone in the group. The connections I’ve made here have been super helpful, too. Lauren, you’ve hired me to rebrand your business and helped with creating marketing assets for your events, and you’ve also connected me with other businesses I could potentially team up with.

Plus, other members of the group have sent clients my way. Not every lead works out, but I really feel the support and love from everyone here. We all share opportunities when it makes sense, and that’s honestly one of the best parts about being part of Design Chew.

And if there’s something we’re not skilled in, we can outsource it or team up within the group to bring value — it’s such a huge help.

You’ve been with Design Chew since the beginning — what’s made you stick around for almost three years?

MK: Honestly, it’s the people. Over the past three years, we’ve become like a little family — always there for each other. It’s comforting to know I have a group that genuinely supports me personally and professionally, and that’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Have you come across other small business groups out there & did Design Chew help fill a gap for you?

MK: Oh, for sure. There are other groups I could join, but none of the major design organizations have a local chapter here in Savannah, so meeting up in person isn’t an option. Plus, most of those groups aren’t really tailored for small businesses — they’re expensive and don’t offer much if you can’t attend events in person. That’s why Design Chew has been such a game changer for me. It fills that gap by connecting me with like-minded small business owners, even without a local chapter.

I’ve got to give a big shoutout to Lauren — she’s done an amazing job bringing everyone together. The group has been so inspiring, offering fresh perspectives that are helping us all grow. Overall, being part of Design Chew has been incredibly meaningful, both personally and professionally.