It’s 2015, and Bluebird Branding was born out of necessity, a series of unexpected moments, and just a little bit of fate. This is the story of how our Founder’s grand vision for his own brand agency began and has been flourishing ever since. This is Marcus’s story.
Bluebird Branding Story: The Unexpected Beginning
Marcus had landed what he thought was his dream job, but just three months in, everything unraveled. Suddenly without a job and with a growing family to support, he found himself freelancing while searching for stability. It was during this time that an old colleague approached him with an offer to design websites. What seemed like a temporary gig quickly evolved as former clients from his previous agency sought him out. “You created our brand and know it better than anyone,” they told him. But he wasn’t running a business, at least not yet.
His mentor, Dan, changed his perspective with one simple but powerful piece of advice: “If you wait until you figure it out, it’s never going to happen.” That was the push Marcus needed. The very next day, on a ski lift at Arapahoe Basin, he and his first business partner looked around at the cloudless sky and declared, “It’s a Bluebird Day.” And with that, the name was set. Bluebird Branding was officially in flight.
Early Days: Survival and Hard Work
Starting a business wasn’t about grandeur at this point…it was about survival. Marcus had a deep-rooted confidence that he could do good work and knew he had the talent, and more importantly, an understanding that clients liked working with him because he listened and understood working with people in mind. He didn’t know how far Bluebird would go, but he believed that if he stayed true to his word and delivered for these clients, the rest would follow.
A Decade of Meaningful Work
Looking back on the last ten years, Marcus recalls many rewarding projects, but a few stand out. One was with Frances, the founder of Kander, a sophisticated global network in the medicinal cannabis industry. She had a detailed vision for her brand, and when Marcus presented the final logo, she was so moved that she cried. “I can’t believe that you did this so well,” she told him. To Marcus, it was a reminder of why Bluebird exists: not only to design logos, but to bring clarity to a founder’s vision and make it a reality.
Another defining moment was the rebrand of CORE Electric Cooperative. With a history dating back to President Roosevelt’s time, CORE had never undergone a major rebrand in 80 years. The project took two years, countless strategy sessions, and a deep understanding of the client’s identity. This resulted in a brand identity that truly reflected their mission, culminating in a massive launch event that celebrated not just a new look, but a renewed sense of purpose.
Lessons and the Road Ahead
The biggest lesson Marcus has learned throughout his tenure in this industry is integrity. “Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it.” Building a solid reputation takes years, but losing it takes only a moment. At Bluebird, trust isn’t just an expectation but is the foundation of everything we do. That philosophy extends to the team, too. Marcus built Bluebird not just with skilled professionals, but with people he trusts. The agency thrives because of this culture of trust, accountability, and a shared passion for excellence.
As for the future? Marcus envisions Bluebird taking on even bigger, more meaningful projects, working with clients who are genuinely changing the world. “If we could do branding for the Olympics, that would be the pinnacle,” he jokes – but behind that statement is a serious ambition to be the best branding firm in the country.
From a makeshift freelancing gig to a decade of branding excellence, Bluebird Branding has soared higher than Marcus could have imagined. And with clarity, trust, and ambition as its guiding principles, there’s no limit to where it can go next.
