Meet Torie Kroeze | Owner and Designer

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

Hi Torie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Throughout my life and career, I’ve viewed risk not as something to avoid but as an opportunity for growth and innovation. In college, I recognized a significant gap in the market: small businesses desperately needed quality marketing support but couldn’t afford the high prices of large agencies. Rather than following the conventional path into corporate America with its stability and predictable advancement, I chose to tackle this challenge head-on.
Taking the risk to focus on serving “the little guys with little budgets” meant embracing uncertainty, wearing multiple hats, and developing creative solutions within constraints. What began as a side hustle eventually evolved into VB Design Co., my full-time business.

This risk has paid off not just financially but in the satisfaction of helping small businesses and craft brands compete effectively against larger competitors. My portfolio showcasing work with Second Chance Beer, FEM Power, and other brands demonstrates that taking this calculated risk allowed me to create more meaningful impact than I likely would have achieved in a corporate setting.

I believe calculated risk-taking is essential for innovation and growth. When someone tells me something can’t be done, it ignites my determination to prove otherwise—a mindset that has served both my clients and my business well as we continuously adapt to new challenges in the design and marketing landscape.

What should our readers know about your business?
VB Design Studio was born from my passion for helping small businesses compete through strategic creativity. What sets me apart is my holistic approach to brand development – I don’t just create beautiful designs or beautiful digital media, I build complete brand ecosystems where every element works together to tell a cohesive story.

I’m most proud of my ability to deliver “big agency” results for clients with more modest budgets. The work I did with Second Chance Beer Co. exemplifies this approach – transforming their brand into one that not only sells great beer but also connects emotionally with customers through their “Seize a Pint, Save a Pup” initiative. Seeing tangible results like their 35% average sales increase after our marketing management is incredibly rewarding and then being sold to a bigger company because of the re-brand.

The journey to where I am today certainly wasn’t easy. After starting in Southern California and relocating to Colorado, I had to rebuild connections and prove myself in a new market. The biggest challenge was convincing potential clients to invest in quality branding when they were focused on immediate operational concerns. I overcame this by developing tiered service models that make professional marketing accessible at various budget levels.

One critical lesson I’ve learned is the importance of balance between creative vision and practical business outcomes. Great design must ultimately drive results – whether that’s increased sales, stronger brand recognition, or deeper customer loyalty. I’ve also learned the value of collaboration, working with specialists like photographers and content creators when needed to deliver the best possible product for clients.

What I want the world to know about VB Design Studio is that I am passionate advocates for the underdogs – the small businesses and craft brands with big dreams but limited resources. I believe everyone deserves access to strategic, professional branding that can transform their business, not just those with massive budgets.

My studio combines strategic thinking with creative execution across the entire brand journey – from initial concept development through consistent social media management. I’m excited about my current work with Colorado businesses finding their authentic voice in increasingly busy world.

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?
Favorite eating / drinking spots: all over Rihno district – love the vibes of death and co, hello darling coffee shop, loyal coffee shop
Favorite spots to visit: Breckenridge, Salida / Buena Vista
Hangout: I love going out but honestly also love sipping on a drink on my back patio watching the sunset on the mountains

Love Colorado Springs and hiking around that area. I love leadville and checking out all the old little shops through out the town.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to give a shoutout to Hoodzpah for being a company I admire and gave me a lot of inspiration and tools to get started on my own and my dad and brother for pushing me to do it.

Website: https://vbdesignco.com

Instagram: torieberks_vbdesign

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torie-berkel-tb/