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

Hi Leslie, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
Progress over perfection.

That phrase keeps me moving. As someone who helps people untangle their brand mess and find their voice, I see how often perfectionism stalls momentum. We wait until it’s “ready,” “perfect,” or “polished,” and in the meantime, the people who need us can’t find us.

Progress means clarity, movement, traction. It means showing up a little sharper each time, not waiting for some mythical perfect version of ourselves to arrive. In my world of branding strategy and visibility, done is often better than perfect. Clear is better than clever. Simple action beats stuck every time. Sometimes just taking aligned action gets us going in just the way we need, one step at a time.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Hive180 is a strategy-led branding studio I co-founded in 2016. We work with credentialed professionals — lawyers, consultants, contractors, architects, specialists, and other experts who are ready to stop blending in. They’ve built respected careers, but their messaging doesn’t reflect the depth of what they do. That’s where we come in.

What sets us apart is the way we combine sharp strategy with real human insight. This isn’t surface-level branding. We get under the hood. We translate lived experience into messaging and visuals that feel aligned, grounded, and smart. Our clients don’t just get a new logo or website, they get clarity and confidence.

Getting here took time, trust, and a lot of trial and error. I didn’t take a straight line into entrepreneurship. I worked in big-brand publishing, ran creative departments, freelanced, flailed, and rebuilt. The through line was always the same… helping people find the right words for who they are and what they’re building.

Was it easy? Not even close. The hardest part was learning to trust my voice, especially in an industry that often rewards trends over truth. But the more honest I got in how I work, how I speak, and who I work with the better things flowed. By showing up with my own audacious authenticity I empower others to do the same.

I’m proud of the clients who come out of our process saying, “I’ve never felt this clear.” That’s the whole point. You can’t lead if you’re buried under vague messaging or someone else’s template.

What I want people to know is this: You don’t need to be louder. You need to be clearer. Branding isn’t about dressing something up, it’s about making the real thing unmistakable. That’s the work we do at Hive180, and it’s the reason I show up for it every day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh, we’re doing this right. If my best friend’s in town, we’re going full Colorado experience, equal parts chill, stunning, and just the right amount of rowdy.

Day 1: Kick it off with dinner at Root Down. Funky, fresh, and always delicious. Great drinks, great vibe, and the perfect welcome to Denver.

Day 2: Morning coffee at Stella’s or Novo, then off to Eldorado Canyon for a hike that makes you feel like you’re inside a postcard. It’s dramatic, peaceful, and close enough that we can be back in time for brewery hopping in RiNo. Our Mutual Friend, Ratio, Odell — wherever the vibe is right.

Day 3: If it’s basketball season, we’re grabbing good seats for a Nuggets game at Ball Arena. Great energy, loud fans, and hopefully a win. If it’s not, we’ll hit Meow Wolf instead. It’s weird in the best way.

Day 4: Day trip to Boulder. Brunch at the Dushanbe Teahouse — colorful, calm, and totally unique. Then we’ll wander Pearl Street, maybe stop at Cured for road snacks we don’t need but will definitely eat. Back home for a mellow night, maybe tacos from Los Chingones and a backyard fire.

Day 5: Reset day. A little browsing on Tennyson Street, maybe a smoothie or juice from Whole Sol. Dinner at Happy Camper for pizza, cocktails, and a patio vibe that never disappoints.

Day 6: Red Rocks night. We’ll plan the whole day around it. Maybe a late brunch, light nap, and then pack the car with snacks and layers. Doesn’t matter who’s playing, live music there is magic. Nothing else like it.

Day 7: Morning stroll through the South Pearl Street Farmers Market. Great produce, great people-watching, and usually some live music or a breakfast sandwich that hits just right. It’s the perfect last stop before heading to the airport, full heart, full stomach.

Denver has range. Wild beauty, amazing food, local flavor, and enough character to keep it interesting. Whether you’re hiking, dancing, eating, or cheering, there’s something here that sticks with you.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely. I wouldn’t be where I am without the people who’ve challenged me, believed in me, and called me out when I was playing small.

First, my business partner Daniel. We’ve built Hive180 together from the ground up, and his creative mind and steady presence are the perfect counterweight to my fire. We’ve pushed each other to grow and evolve, not just as professionals but as humans.

I also want to shout out my clients — the certified pros who show up real, ready, and often raw. Working with people who are gutsy enough to own their voice and step into leadership has made me sharper and braver. They remind me why this work matters.

And finally, the women in my circle who keep it honest. You know who you are. You’ve cheered me on, talked me off ledges, and reminded me I don’t have to do it all alone.

None of this has been a solo act.

Website: https://hive180.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silverman

Image Credits
photos by Daniel Sanders

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