We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Megan Kranzler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Megan, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I don’t think anyone is ever completely free of imposter syndrome. It’s one of those things that can pop up at any time in your life and career, often when you’re growing and pushing your boundaries. As the founder of a branding agency, I notice it pops up anytime I raise my rates. There’s always that little voice in the back of my mind asking, ‘Are you sure your work is worth this much?’ Ugh. Quiet in the back, please!
When this happens, I pause and remind myself: Yes, it absolutely is. And I have the proof to back it up. Grounding myself in the why behind my work helps quiet that doubtful voice. Sometimes, it’s as simple as listing the reasons why my clients invest in my services and the impact I’m able to deliver. It might sound simple, but running through a quick mental checklist of, ‘Here’s why people need what I offer,’ can pull me out of that imposter syndrome loop. And if that doesn’t quite do the trick, reading through positive feedback from past clients usually gives me the extra boost I need.
Public speaking is another space where imposter syndrome loves to make an appearance. Whether it’s a panel or a podcast, I sometimes wonder if I have anything of value to add to the conversation. But then I remind myself—if someone invited me to share my insights, there must be a reason. I’ve learned to lean into that trust.
That said, I can’t always be my own pep squad. That’s where community has been invaluable. I’m incredibly lucky to have a partner and friends who genuinely believe in me, along with a network of meaningful business connections. Surrounding myself with people who encourage me and understand my journey has made a huge difference. For anyone dealing with imposter syndrome, I can’t emphasize enough the power of having supportive relationships—both personally and professionally.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m the creative force behind Olive Ridley Studios, where I help small brands make big waves. I work primarily with product and retail-based businesses and dive deep into brand experience design, covering everything from brand identity and packaging to beautifully crafted retail spaces. I’m here to bring bold visions to life in ways that not only resonate but also build real connections between a brand and its people.
The most exciting part is seeing my clients realize the full potential of their brand and watching their confidence soar when their vision aligns with what the world sees. There’s something incredibly rewarding about turning a brand into an experience that owners and customers alike can genuinely connect with.
Recently, I’ve been expanding our services to meet more business owners where they are on their branding journey. I know many entrepreneurs prefer a DIY approach when they’re starting out, so I recently launched the BYOBrand Strategy Workbook. It’s a hands-on guide packed with insights and tools to help entrepreneurs build a brand that truly reflects their values and goals, even if they’re not ready for a full design partnership yet.
To me, branding is so much more than a pretty logo—it should empower, inspire, and leave a positive impact on people and the planet. So, if you’re a small business owner ready to break free from the status quo, I’d love to help you make some waves.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three most important qualities in my journey have been craft, communication, and humility.
Craft is the obvious one. If you want people to hire you, you’ve got to be good at what you do, plain and simple. Everyone knows they need to work on their skills. But the other two—communication and humility—were lessons learned over time and experience.
Communication is huge. In corporate America, I learned how to talk to coworkers and superiors, but when I launched Olive Ridley Studios, it was a whole new challenge. Suddenly, I had to learn how to talk about myself and my work in a way that clients could connect with. Being able to communicate what I do and, more importantly, why it matters, has been essential to my growth and success.
Humility, though, is just as crucial, and it didn’t come easily. When I started as a graphic designer, I thought I knew what was best—I’d had the formal training and the education, after all. I’d get frustrated when clients or managers pushed back against my designs because, hey, I’m the designer, right? Shouldn’t I know best? But I eventually realized I was missing a key part of my job: bringing other people’s visions to life. It wasn’t about me. It was never about me. It’s always been about the brands I serve.
For anyone early in their journey, I’d say, hone your craft first, because that’s your foundation. Then, focus on developing communication skills that help you connect with clients and colleagues alike. And remember, humility is just as valuable as skill. A great designer isn’t just creating great work—they’re creating great work that serves a purpose beyond themselves, and that’s true for many professions.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
One book that’s had a huge impact on my journey is The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni. I read it earlier this year, and it was honestly a game-changer. As entrepreneurs, we often put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be everything for our business—wearing every hat, handling every task, day in and day out. This book delivered the “aha” moment I needed: we can’t (and shouldn’t) be good at everything! Expecting that of ourselves is just setting ourselves up for burnout.
Lencioni breaks down work into six essential steps—the “6 Geniuses”—and the revelation is that everyone only has two. These are the areas where you’re not just skilled but energized, where you thrive instead of just getting by. The key is to identify your geniuses and find ways to focus more on those types of activities. This insight not only helped me pinpoint sources of frustration in my work and personal life but also changed the way I think about building a team.
Knowing my own “working geniuses” has given me a lot more clarity on the future of Olive Ridley Studios. I’m better able to envision the type of help I’ll need and, just as importantly, what my role should look like as the business grows. This book helped me see that by focusing on my strengths and finding the right people to complement them, I can shape a future that’s sustainable and impactful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oliveridleystudios.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliveridleystudios/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-kranzler/
Image Credits
n/a
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
