The Facing Seaside III Project and Exhibition
Two Wolf Design
If you drive around Monterey County and look closely, you will see Brennen’s painted signs in many local business storefront windows. Brennen runs and operates Two Wolf Design, where he is also the artistic director. He specializes in graphic design, helping clients rebrand, create a new logo, or do sign painting to attract more views. His careful linework and attention to detail are what makes his company unique.
Brennen says his primary marketing tool is word of mouth, with happy customers passing along his recommendations throughout the community, stating: “Just the amount of support through word-of-mouth and businesses showing support through social media is a community in action. It has really been critical for my success so far.” Community is essential to Brennen, and he credits much of his success to the fantastic business community that supported him when starting his business.
When Brennen visited the Weston Collective after-school program, he spent the entire class (two hours) engaged with the students and answered their questions. The first hour was the portrait session, and in the second hour, Brennen painted a “Developing” sign that we proudly hung in the studio. The students enjoyed taking photographs of Brennen working and asking him questions about his process.
Brennen strongly believes in public art and wants to see more in Seaside. “Having artwork that is public-facing is a big part of my community engagement. I love it when I’m contacted by a prospective client that has seen work of mine and decided to reach out.” Stated Brennen, whose hopes and dreams for his business in Seaside are to build his business and establish a creative studio space to foster his work. We were thrilled to introduce our students to Brennen as a pillar in the Seaside community.
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Two Wolf Design at the Weston Collective Studio
Two Wolf Design Business Interview
Name: Brennen Handley
Name of business: Two Wolf Design
What your business offers the community of Seaside?
Graphic Design and Graphic Art services
Are you from Monterey County, if not where are you from?
I am. I had grown up coming to Pacific Grove throughout my childhood and made a permanent move in high school.
When did you move to Seaside?
I moved to Seaside in 2021.
What brought you to Seaside?
I was living in San Francisco when COVID hit and felt it was time to come home to reconnect with my roots and be closer to family.
When was your business established in Seaside?
December 11, 2022.
What was the main reason / motivation to start your business?
I wanted to work for myself and in a way that allowed me to explore the different artistic avenues I’m interested in.
Do you have an educational background that helped start up the business or are you self taught?
I have an education in graphic design.
How did you learn all that you do, who were your mentors, or folks who encouraged/supported you when you decided to start your business?
I learned my graphic design fundamentals in school, but really learned a lot of what I do just by experimenting with different mediums. My high school art teacher, Norman Muhl, fostered a deeper connection between myself and art that made me more comfortable picking up a new tool to see what would come of it. When I started my business, and leading up to it, a huge supporter of mine was Kim Mozal from Dirty Girl Plant Co. in Monterey, along with other local small businesses that placed their trust in me.
Is this work that has been in your family for generations, or did you start this business with a vision of your own?
I started this business with my own vision of what I wanted to build.
Who are your inspirations? (business or otherwise)
The ones who are just out there getting it done. Small business owners, artists, and anyone working a 9-5 to support their passions.
What would you say is your business specialty?
My business specialty is working with the client to make something awesome, whether it’s a new logo, mural, or artwork.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your business?
My hope is that I can build my business into a successful multidisciplinary creative studio to serve my community and beyond.
What would be a single piece of advice that you would give someone who is thinking of starting up their own business?
Just get started. Little by little or with giant leaps, just take the first step. That could look like intentionally saving money towards your goals, or beginning to research how to get a business license.
What are your feelings about community, what does community mean to you here in Seaside? Is community important to you?
I think community is a primary reason I’ve gotten this far with my business. On a personal level, I don't think I’ve had a better group of people around me to help push and support me. This community is awesome.
How does the community influence and or engage with your business?
Having artwork that is public-facing is a big part of my community engagement. I love when I’m contacted by a prospective client that has seen work of mine and decided to reach out. •
Were you thinking of setting up your business in any other location? Or was it always meant to be here in Seaside?
I think my business was going to start wherever I was at the time, I’m happy I was here in Seaside!
Do you have any plans for expansion?
Not at the moment.
Who is your typical customer?
My typical customer is a small business owner who is looking to revamp their look, add a special touch to their space, or is in need of design work for their products.
What is your customer demographic, who are you trying to reach?
My goal is to reach anyone who is looking for creative work that will elevate their business.
Do you have social media for your business? What platforms?
I primarily use Instagram for my business, my handle is @twowolfdesign if you would like to check it out!
Do you have a current website?
I am currently building my website.
How are you currently marketing to potential customers?
My marketing so far has really been self-promotion on Instagram and word of mouth. It also helps that much of my work is public-facing, where I can add my signature or social media handle if I’m producing a mural, window painting, sign, etc.
What support would you be interested in for your business?
I’m currently looking into local and state grants to help bring a mural project to the city of Seaside.
Please provide an example of our community in action in relation to your business? Or when do/have you feel most supported by the community?
Just the amount of support through word-of-mouth and businesses showing support through social media is community in action. It has really been critical for my success so far.
How does your business show up for the community?
My hope is that I can bring joy to the people of this community through my work. I’m also here for anyone who has questions or is looking for tips on how to get started in an artistic field. In the future, I would like to provide workshops on various skills such as sign painting and lettering, or even a mural-centric community event.
Over the years, what have you seen change in Seaside? Good and/ or bad.
I’ve seen Seaside grow into a more welcoming place for a wider range of community members. I think the growth of new businesses on Broadway and the surrounding areas has been hugely impactful.
What would you like to see more of in Seaside?
I think more public art displays would be fantastic.
What sets your business apart from the other businesses in the area? What makes your business unique, desirable or in demand in 2023?
My business is unique in the way that I can bundle multiple services, such as creating a client branding package while also applying their logo and graphics to their physical space through a hand painted window logo, sign or mural.
Is there anything else unique about the goods or services your business offers that you would like to mention here?
I’m always here to start a dialogue and there is no pressure to know exactly what you want at first. What I love so much about my work is bouncing ideas back and forth with potential clients until we find something really special together.
