DIY Branding mentorship program
You didn’t start a business just to wing it. Let’s prove you’re legit by acing your DIY branding
last start date of 2026: oct 12 →
By the new year, become the Creative Director of your own signature brand identity that'll make you actually want to show up and market yourself
by a Brand photographer
by a marketing and systems pro
by a copywriter
by a growth execution coach
by a Customer Journey Strategist
by a messaging strategist and copywriter
by a content strategist and writer
by a kids book illustrator
by a learning specialist
by a interior styling specialist
by a podcast producer
by a website copywriter
by a bookkeper
by a social media and flodesk designer
by a systems and client experience pro
by a podcaster and strategist
You take entrepreneurship so seriously, but at the same time you’re feeling…
Scattered and disjointed across socials, Canva, and your website
Worried that even if you did hire, they won’t capture your vision
Constantly questioning your own ideas, and wondering if it shows
Tweaking your fonts and colors (again), yet it still doesn’t feel like enough
Discouraged that hiring a brand designer is out of your budget
Self-conscious & intimidated by other businesses that feel so put-together
when instead, you could be:
expectations
You’ve finally made a visible mark in your industry and getting known for it, years after completing the program
You can’t talk about your business enough, because now people can immediately see the value instead of waiting longer to suss you out
You can finally start making those bigger business moves you keep saving for later (like pitching yourself, raising prices, launching new offers)
You can confidently collaborate with other service pros and team members, who you can seamlessly hand off your branding assets to
You have peace of mind that your brand presence online is doing some of the convincing for you when you’re offline
with a DIY brand that has you feeling like:
be resourceful about it?
Want to be seen as reputable,
and
Here, you can be both...
exceeding
Even if you're not a designer.
And it's not just a matter of staying budget-friendly–Maybe you enjoy being creative and savvy with your own visuals, especially since Canva is so accessible.
But if you’re feeling disjointed with your whole business's digital presence and it’s making you hesitate to fully lean into confidently marketing yourself, it's time to explore new creative decision-making skills. The Brand Ed process will help you make aligned, confident decisions so that you're well-represented by a brand people won’t question.
In Brand Ed, your DIY branding can look pro, and help you grow your business.
Your brand sets you up for bigger business moves like:
When you become the Creative Director of your business,
Shouting your DIY website from the rooftops, instead of low-key hiding it
Caitie Cupples, Copywriter
Bringing creative energy to fresh offers that get new eyes on your business
Lauren Dewey, Learning specialist
Collaborating seamlessly with brand photographers and other service pros
Caroline moss,
big thinker lab
Encouraging super loyal customers with branded personal touches
Maddy aucoin, copywriter
Feeling more you in your marketing, and showing up more potently
angelina gurrola, wildwave podcasting
Making your own promo graphics on demand, that actually feel like you
Reagan lehman, kidlit illustrator
no design skills required 🤓
Wish you had brand confidence like that? Join:
DIY branding & Done-with-you Mentorship for non-designers
Turning DIY-ers into strategic, self-sufficient brand-builders through a guided curriculum + 1:1 mentorship support
You’ll explore the entire creative process—the identity, aesthetic, and implementation—to strategically build a personalized brand ecosystem you’ll genuinely want to be recognized by.
Inside the Homeroom Slack support, you get access to 10 weeks of 1:1 private chat DMs, where we collaborate on creative design ideas in detailed message threads, voice notes, loom video demonstrations, and optional group calls.
Plus, since there are no access limits on course lessons, you can keep revisiting the DIY branding course curriculum down the road as your business’s needs evolve, saving thousands doing it yourself.
In brand ed, you will:
Build personalized brand elements with expert support (logos, colors, fonts, graphics, etc) and not get lost in the trends
Sharpen Canva skills for current and future marketing assets, so you don't have to depend on outsourcing
Learn expert frameworks for confidently making unified creative decisions, without second-guessing
Think like a confident Creative Director of your business whenever a brand decision needs to be made
Communicate the strengths you uniquely offer (and be affirmed by them in the process)
Design your graphics like a designer would do it, so your content feels more interesting and cohesive
Fun Fact:
To prove what's possible, I only used Canva and DIY tools to create this school-themed branding. No Adobe pro tools were used! 🤓
these students
understood the assignment.
under-stood the assignment.
excited
Get about marketing again with this signature brand-building process
That anyone can DIY
Whether or not you have pre-existing creative skills, this branding process stays DIY-friendly without watering down the strategic thinking. Generally, students who take this course are familiar with using Canva, are not designers, and are curious about pushing the bounds of creativity in their marketing presence.
Two ways to
Brand Ed "Homeroom"
Self-Study
Learn the process and build independently
the DIY COUrse
$775
Just the course:
Create, collaborate, and refine your DIY branding & designs with a pro
Along with lifetime access to the course curriculum to learn the DIY branding process, you have 10 spacious weeks to get 1:1 feedback, collaboration, and creative ideas from Kristina (like having a brand tutor)—plus a community chat and optional Study Hall calls every 3 weeks on Wednesdays, alternating AM & PM for accommodating different time zones.
I respond Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. You're free to take your time and pop in as needed during your 10 weeks of support access!
the full done-with-you experience
For hyper-independent DIY-ers who'd rather explore the course on your own. You can also upgrade into Homeroom later! Self-Studiers still get lifetime access to the course curriculum and process, just self-led on your own time. Always open.
3 payments of $495
pricing & Start dates:
Last 2026 Start Date: Oct 12th
First 2027 Start Date: Jan 11th
Or 2 payments of $395
Want to stay in the loop as I announce future Homeroom Start dates?
Get on the Brand Ed Interest List →
build your own brand:
Live “Study Hall Calls” for real-time brainstorming & live editing together, every 3 weeks on Wednesdays (rotates AM & PM for different time zones!)
self study
Lifetime Access to the lessons, updates, and bonus videos for as long as the course is running—so you continue to get my latest & best methods
A non-designer-friendly signature branding process to build recognition around a unified visual ecosystem, similar to my own branding projects
Actionable Canva files, Brand Guide, Notion workbook, and other resources to immediately make progress on, accelerating the creative process
Implementation how-to's so you can seamlessly incorporate your branding into social media graphics, webpages, and other layouts
10 weeks of access to 1:1 feedback and creative collaboration with Kristina so you get professional eyes & brains on your progress
Your own private support channel in Slack DMs, so you don’t have to worry about keeping up with a group or sharing progress before you feel ready to
10 weeks of access to the community chat for accountability and opportunities to get more eyes on your work, if desired
20 recorded video lessons showing you how to DIY cohesive and personalized brand elements, using accessible tools like Canva (see full syllabus)
Home
room
Which tier is best for you?
If you're a learner who loves feedback and positive reinforcement so you know you're doing a good job at new skills, Homeroom is the done-with-you experience you need. With direct access to expert creative support and collaboration, I help bring out the potential you might not see on your own, and keep you unstuck.
Self-Study is just the course without support, for the independent DIY-ers who want to walk through my signature branding process solo. If you’re intimidated by inviting other opinions in, or if you already have some skilled experience, this can be a good place to start. But if you're struggling to make it happen on your own time, you’ll have the option to upgrade into Homeroom later!
By the end of this program, you could be
knowing more people are building trust in the way YOU see the industry
Gaining confidence to raise your prices,
even when they see something random out in the wild and think of you (and ONLY you)
Reminding people of what you’re selling,
because now, there’s a clear reason behind your creative decisions
Creating content with more cohesion and conviction than ever,
without them needing to warm up as much to you
Deepening your connections with those who immediately know they like your vibe,
with less competing for the spotlight (you basically have your own lane now, anyway)
Getting recognized for the quality of the experience you offer,
These kinds of results are not gate-kept just for the ones who can afford a premium custom brand designer.
The resourceful business owners should get to experience these kinds of brand-building perks too. Is that you?
Lessons are concise, potent, and easy to act on.
No long lectures.
Since the trainings are immediately accessible, you can do the lesson homework as you go, or watch through a whole module first, then apply. Each lesson has original step-by-step frameworks, lots of examples, and relevant activities that support multiple learning styles.
Templates & resources are provided along the way to get you over the hump of getting started. You'll come away with: a completed Brand Guide, logos, colors, fonts, decorative elements, social graphics, photoshoot plans, webpage design essentials, and creative direction skills for ongoing brand-building.
course outline:
Plus bonus lessons:
Such as: How I Made the Brand Ed Branding, Vectorizing Elements with Affinity, Brand Reveal Graphics, and extra brand conceptual examples
1. Brand Psychology 101
2. Self-Discovery Session
3. Brand Research Surveys
4. Understand your Customer
5. Distinguish from Peers
6. Emotional Impression
7. Personality & Themes
8. Inspiration Board/Aesthetic
1. Discover
Total watch time: 1.75 hrs
Uncover the Creative Direction that anchors your brand identity
1. Brand Psychology 101
2. Self-Discovery Session
3. Brand Research Surveys
4. Understand your Customer
5. Distinguish from Peers
6. Emotional Impression
7. Personality & Themes
8. Inspiration Board/Aesthetic
1. Discover
Total watch time: 1.75 hrs
Uncover the Creative Direction that anchors your brand identity
1. Brand Psychology 101
2. Self-Discovery Session
3. Brand Research Surveys
4. Understand your Customer
5. Distinguish from Peers
6. Emotional Impression
7. Personality & Themes
8. Inspiration Board/Aesthetic
1. Discover
Total watch time: 1.75 hrs
Uncover the Creative Direction that anchors your brand identity
9. Color Palette
10. Brand Messaging
11. Font Family
12. Logo & Submark
13. Brand Photoshoot Plans
14. On-Brand Imagery
2. Create
Total watch time: 1.5 hrs
Build your brand elements, based on your Phase 1 Creative Direction
15. Designing Graphics
16. Webpage Essentials
17. Exporting Brand Files
18. Canva Brand Kit
19. Socials & Customer Journey
20. Brand-Building Way of Life
3. implement
Total watch time: 1.5 hrs
Apply your elements into an on-brand digital presence
“But what if I’m not that creative?”
You built a whole freaking business. You’re more creative than you give yourself credit for, and you'd be surprised at what you're capable of, with the right frameworks and guidance!
ike this non-designer alumni student, who’s been trusting her own creative ideas ever since:
"From the start, Kristina's support has been massively validating... Her perspective and support have given me space to grow creatively and grow in confidence in my own vision."
Angelina gurRola
Wildwave Podcasting
I'm Kristina!
creative brand designer & Diy mentor
AKA, the Brand Tutor—showing savvy entrepreneurs how to build marketable DIY brands
Even after 11+ years doing custom design and a Visual Design BFA degree, Brand Ed students impress ME years after they finish the program, reminding me of tactics I need to re-hear too! The creative ideas and marketing assets students build aren’t just inspiring—they are effective in their marketing.
You have it in you too.
I built this program to bridge the gap between DIY and custom, so you don’t have to wait until “maybe someday” to build a unique brand identity.
With the DIY tools you’re probably already using (like Canva, a smart phone, and user-friendly apps), this DIY branding course will maximize your brand’s ecosystem with a streamlined process for non-designers to implement with ease.
And I’m never too cool for school—Every student teaches me something new about how to be a better mentor, too!
Brand Ed is right for...
Small business owners with a service-based business or personal brand that you want to feel more like you in
You're genuinely curious about the DIY skills that’ll make you more independent and strategic in your marketing
If you're kinda familiar with Canva, but it is taking way too long to make decisions with pure guesswork
If you made a lot of investments recently and can't justify hiring a brand designer, but still want to productively build your brand
It is NOT right for...
Not made for corporate or faceless businesses with no personal connection to the brand or founder
Not for learning how to create branding with Adobe pro design tools. This course is designed for non-designers, using accessible tools like Canva
Not for you if the idea of learning these DIY skills just doesn't peak your curiosity and you'd rather pay someone else to do it. Check out my signature service instead!
DIY-ers turned Creative Directors
build your brand in
Set a new standard with DIY branding you can’t help but show up fully for
Showcasing your own business in your marketing gets to be as interesting, meaningful, and memorable as you want it to be—both for your people, AND for yourself!
With your new creative direction skills, gone are the days DIY branding is put to shame. You know you’ve got good ideas, and you'd be surprised by what you're capable of. You in?
You’re marketing yourself anyway… so,
“Best thing I could have done for my branding! The course gave me a sense of direction for all of my scattered creative ideas.”
“I feel pride that people will be able to look at my branding, see ME, and also be like "wow, that was DIY'd?? No way"
Not sure if you’ve got the creative juices for this?
Ask me anything—my virtual office is open!
If you’re still unsure whether this process and approach to branding is right for your business’s next steps, DM me @gemcreativeco on Instagram or fill out this inquiry form. I’d love to connect with you!
