Meet Randi Van Horn | Entrepreneur | Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Randi Van Horn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Randi, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I kind of fell into each business of mine in a strange way. Pistol Prints started back in May 2015. My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer and I immediately took FMLA from my corporate job as a recruiter for an IT company. During my leave of absence, I realized that I wasn’t going to be satisfied until I pursued my entrepreneurial spirit. At the time, I had a cat named Pistol. He lived up to his name and I ended up naming my first business after him, Pistol Prints. With a very old MacBook and a free space on the kitchen counter, my brand was born. I started out by designing logos – simply because that’s what I liked to do in my spare time! Graphic design was my hobby all while through late high school and early college. It interested me more than anything else – so I stuck with it! One month later, I opened up an Etsy shop and starting creating vinyl decals and silly shirts. It’s still going today and I’m launching my Shopify site this week!

Brand by Ran was born when I found a niche in real estate. I took a lot of free-lance/side jobs designing logos and managing social media accounts to make a stable income. I was introduced to a lot of realtors in North Dallas, TX (where we were living at the time) and discovered that this could really turn into something! Realtors are incredibly busy and know the importance behind an online presence. I was the girl to take that burden off their hands. Networking event after networking event, Brand by Ran blossomed. I began assisting realtors with their online brand and digital marketing. Brand by Ran is now active in 7 different states and an approved vendor of Compass Real Estate.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a total design nerd and have a need for creative outlet. I hang my beanie in Colorado Springs. I live with my husband, Van, and my precious but horribly behaved puggles, Peaches and Pete.

When I’m not following a creative brainstorm, I love all things graphic design, new restaurants and hanging with my pals.

I pride myself in putting forth exceptional work. Whether it be a t-shirt, social media post, logo design, or branding package, I am a perfectionist and will only finalize on what I am happy with or proud to call mine. I am known for being transparent and dependable. I always answer my phone. That is unless I am showering or yelling at my two puggles. I enjoy assisting small businesses with time saving tips & tricks that I wish I knew when I was starting my small businesses. I try to exceed expectations and have been called an overachiever – in certain aspects of life 😉

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am very new to Colorado!! My husband and I recently moved to Colorado Springs. We visited last fall for our honeymoon and fell in love with the area. The entire vibe of the community sold us. We enjoy simply driving through the mountains and running into little towns to check out. The rockies are breathtaking! My younger brother lives in Denver and has showed us around quite a bit. We have hit up a few events at Red Rocks. Nothing tops that venue! My favorite spot so far is in Frisco, CO called Butterhorn Bakery & Cafe. Their french toast is to die for but be careful, the drinks are very strong, LOL! I’d say the most appealing feature of Colorado Springs is Garden of the Gods. We have yet to conquer the Manitou Incline but that is on our to-do list this Spring/Summer!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to Kristi Reinertsen. Kristi took me under her wing when I was fresh to Dallas, TX. I was taking all of the freelance projects I could and barely getting by until I met her. Kristi saw something in me – I guess! She ended up recommending me and my services to all of her fellow real estate friends and colleagues. Her referrals are why my business is where it is today. Kristi is a go-getter and I loved watching her succeed. She taught me a lot about business, relationships, and life in general. I appreciate the guidance and her encouraging words to keep me pushing forward.

And of course, shoutout to my parents, Ed and Tina Bettner. My parents are farmers in Illinois and are the most humble and hardest working people I know. I am so grateful I was raised in a loving and stable household. They are incredibly wise and I keep finding myself thinking, ‘My mother was right.’ Turns out she’s right about everything! I owe them my life.

Website: https://brandbyran.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randi-bettner-van-horn-0b641664/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PistolPrints

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandbyran

Other: Etsy Shop: http://pistolprints.etsy.com/