Meet Hari Baumbach | Creative Director & Visual Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hari Baumbach and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hari, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in the US but spent most of my childhood in Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest. Living there opened my eyes to some big challenges – I witnessed environmental degradation and rampant deforestation firsthand, and how deep social inequalities affected communities.

These experiences really shaped who I am today and led me to focus on working with organizations that want to make positive change. That’s why I started Essencify Design – to help nonprofits and purpose-driven businesses make more impact through thoughtful design solutions.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Essencify Design is my creative studio, where I focus on helping nonprofits, small businesses, and entrepreneurs bring their visions to life through thoughtful branding, graphic design, and web design. What makes us different is our deep commitment to supporting purpose-driven organizations while keeping a positive impact at the heart of everything we do.

The name “Essencify” came from my belief that effective design should capture the essence, communicate and amplify what makes each organization unique. We dive deep to understand our clients’ values and what makes them different, then transform these into design solutions that truly speak to their audiences.

Starting this business hasn’t been easy, even with my 15+ years of experience in the field. Being a business owner requires wearing many hats – from handling admin tasks and sales to actually doing the design work – and these aren’t skills we typically learn in college or while working for others. I’ve been fortunate to have amazing mentors, supportive colleagues, and resources like the Small Business Development Center to guide me along the way.

One significant challenge has been standing out in a crowded market where many agencies and freelancers offer similar services. It’s particularly challenging because potential clients often don’t fully understand the value of strategic design and the difference between say, a thoughtfully designed unique logo and brand strategy and using a stock image or template on Canva. We’ve had to learn to effectively communicate our unique approach and the long-term benefits of investing in quality design that aligns with their mission and values.

I’m especially proud of our commitment to nonprofits. In 2023, we dedicated nearly 58% of our billable hours to serving nonprofit organizations at reduced rates. Some highlights include:

– Helping Boulder Watershed Collective exceed their fundraising goals, raising $23k on Colorado Gives Day
– Creating an impactful video series for The Signals Network to support whistleblower protection
– Redesigning The Reentry Initiative’s website with a trauma-informed approach

Our dedication to sustainability was recognized when we received the Colorado Green Business Network’s 2023 Innovation Spotlight Award for reducing our website’s carbon footprint by 63% and energy consumption by 48%.

The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Finding work-life balance is an ongoing struggle, and choosing to work with organizations with limited budgets makes running a profitable business more challenging. The feast-or-famine nature of contract work can be stressful, and learning to set healthy boundaries has been crucial.

But through it all, I’ve been learning valuable lessons: how to identify clients who are the right fit, manage my energy during busy and slow periods without burning out, and most importantly, stay connected to my ‘why’ when things get tough. Every challenge has been a learning opportunity, making me both a better designer and business owner.

What I want people to know about Essencify Design is that we’re more than just a design studio – we’re a partner in creating positive change. Whether it’s helping a nonprofit reach their fundraising goals or supporting a sustainable business in telling their story, we’re committed to using design as a force for good.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you’re visiting Denver, I’d love to take you on a mix of urban and outdoor adventures!

We’d start at the RiNo Art District’s First Friday art walk, exploring its vibrant gallery scene and street art. For dinner, we’d head to City O’ City, known for its creative vegetarian cuisine (I’m particularly partial to their vegetarian Poutine).

Another day could include visits to the Denver Botanical Gardens, Museum of Nature & Science, or Museum of Contemporary Art, followed by a music or comedy show in the evening.

To experience Denver’s natural beauty, we’d take a peaceful stroll around Sloan’s Lake. On another day we’d drive into the mountains for an invigorating hike in the Boulder foothills, where you can experience Colorado’s magnificent landscapes firsthand.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Excited to shine a spotlight on my incredible colleague Allegra Mangione! As someone deeply committed to social impact, Allegra has turned her passion into purpose by founding Catharsis, a consulting firm dedicated to transforming nonprofits through strategic marketing. Her extensive experience in nonprofit work spans strategic marketing, communications, program development, and fundraising campaigns. What’s truly inspiring is how her diverse international experience working with NGOs across Ecuador, South Africa, and Nepal has shaped her deep understanding of social change dynamics. Together, we’ve been collaborating to empower purpose-driven organizations, sharing a vision of using our skills to create meaningful impact in the nonprofit sector.

Website: https://www.essencify.design/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hari.baumbach/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haribaumbach/

Image Credits
Hari’s headshot by Aleph Baumbach
Picture of Hari and client by Will Rymer
Client photos taken by Malachi Tharp
Brand identity design, visual design, and sketches by Hari Baumbach
Photos of the Colorado Green Business Network 2023 recognition event by Greg Lowe (www.rachelandgregphoto.com)
All other photos are either by Hari Baumbach or are licensed stock images used in the designs.