Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Rhodes
Hi Jordan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Oh, where do I even begin? Picture this: small, football-obsessed town, wildly-out-of-place Alabama kid, sprinting straight into Atlanta for a design degree and four of the most hectic years of her life, wide-eyed and wildly unprepared for what was ahead. I had no roadmap, no “mentor”, no real plans—just a deeply innate need to create (getting out of Alabama included), and the stubbornness to figure it out along the way.
I started working immediately after graduation in Atlanta’s fast-paced (insanely toxic) tech startup scene, where “hustle culture” and where we were heading for 5pm happy hour was all the rage. On the surface (AKA early 2020’s social media), it looked like a dream—fast-moving projects, endless networking events, the whole “girlboss” aesthetic, some international travel and kangaroos sprinkled in. But behind the scenes? Every. Single. Night? Burnout, imposter syndrome like you wouldn’t believe, and far too many late-night Slack messages (stop working for free, y’all). So, I pivoted to “safe” corporate life, hoping for more structure. Spoiler alert: I ended up crying in office bathrooms that were just a little bit nicer, questioning my life choices, and feeling completely misaligned with my work – and myself.
But amidst all that chaos, one thing remained constant—freelance projects and a beautiful word-of-mouth community. Every “fun” branding project and website launch I worked on felt like a breath of fresh air. It was my creative refuge, and I started to wonder… what if I made this my actual job?
By fall of 2021, I stepped out of one last cubicle hell and took the leap into full-time entrepreneurship, and Jordan Rhodes Design was born. I built an entire business working with small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creatives who were just as passionate about their work as I was about mine. And it turns out, betting on myself was the best decision I ever made. I’ve known my whole life I wanted to spend my life working with/for someone who makes me feel like I am important and making a difference… so I employed myself.
Fast forward to today—Jordan Rhodes Design has officially evolved into a full-scale creative marketing agency doing and working on all of the things, and the (truly) best part? I’m no longer running this crazy show solo. Moving into 2025, my partner in life (and now in business), Russ, and I have officially joined forces! With his decade-plus experience in fine dining and operations all across the South, plus my expertise in all things branding, design, marketing, and social media, we’re creating something real for ourselves—a creative agency that’s equal parts strategy, creativity, and a sprinkle of chaotic, sarcastic energy (the fun kind).
We are combining our talents, taking big risks, and building a business that truly reflects who we are. It’s the most fun adventure we’ve ever been on, and we can’t wait to see where 2025 takes us. Most importantly, a new name/look will be fully launched very, very soon! Make sure to stay tuned at @foundry237 on IG.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh, dude, for sure. No challenges at all. Everything has been smooth sailing, like a scenic drive through Atlanta at 5pm on a Friday with perfect weather and zero traffic…
Just freaking kidding. If entrepreneurship had been a smooth road, I’d most definitely be bored out of my mind and hating my life in offices again. The truth? It’s been more like a ridiculous off-road adventure: exciting, unpredictable, often terrifying, and definitely requiring way more caffeine than I ever anticipated or should’ve safely ingested. I’m not a coffee or energy drink girlie, so this gets tricky sometimes.
In the early days, my biggest struggle was figuring out how to turn my passion into something actually sustainable. I knew I loved design, branding, and was growing to love all things marketing as I worked on all kinds of teams, but no one and no class or book really prepares you for everything else that comes with running a business yourself as an anxious, type-A, gifted-kid-turned-art-school-graduate: contracts, taxes, pricing, client management, sucky clients… you name it. I went from obsessing over fun typography sketches to suddenly needing to understand LLC filings and balancing (a mostly non-existent) cash flow.
Then, of course, there was my good ‘ol friend burnout. Before officially launching Jordan Rhodes Design, I had already experienced my fair share of “hustle culture” in the startup world: constant late nights, unrealistic deadlines, and that nagging pressure to always make sure your little bubble on Slack stays green. When I finally went full-time with my own business, I had to unlearn a lot of those toxic work habits and figure out a way to build something that didn’t lead to yet another burnout cycle.
The biggest, most impactful shift so far – in my life AND my business – happened when I stopped trying to do everything alone. And that brings me to one of the most exciting (and, honestly, life-changing) moments in this journey—officially bringing my partner, Russ, into the business. After years of running Jordan Rhodes Design solo, I realized that growing the agency meant I needed real support, structure, and someone who could complement my strengths. Russ, with his background in fine dining and operations, was that person – and will always be my person. He understands systems, efficiency, truly connecting with and learning about people, and high standards—things I desperately needed to scale the business to new places without losing my sanity.
So, while the road has definitely been incredibly bumpy—full of wrong turns, breakdowns, and way more than a few “WTF am I doing?” moments—every challenge has led to oh so much growth. And now, as we step into this next chapter together, I finally feel like we’re headed toward something really exciting.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Jordan Rhodes Design?
Our business is currently Jordan Rhodes Design, but—fun news… we’re currently in the process of slowly launching a fresh new name and look: Foundry 237.
As we’ve evolved from a solo venture into a full-scale creative brand and digital marketing agency, we knew it was time for our brand to reflect that growth. Foundry 237 represents everything we stand for—creativity, strategy, and building something real from the ground up. It’s a space where brands are forged, refined, and brought to life with intentional, results-driven design and marketing.
We’ll be rolling out the FULL rebrand soon, with new visuals, a refreshed identity, and some exciting updates across our Instagram and website. For now, you can still find us at jordanrhodesdesign.net, but keep an eye on Instagram for the official launch. Big things are coming… make sure to stay tuned!
Jordan Rhodes Design—soon to be Foundry 237—is a creative brand and digital marketing agency based in Atlanta, GA and built for businesses everywhere that are ready to get serious about their presence, storytelling, and strategy.
We specialize in branding, web design, social media, and digital marketing, helping small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creative brands bring their visions to life with intentional strategies and standout designs. Whether it’s a full-scale brand identity, a conversion-driven website, or a fun social media presence that actually works, we make sure every touchpoint feels cohesive, professional, and—most importantly—truly, authentically you.
What Sets Us Apart?
Plenty of designers can make something look good. We make sure it actually works—for your audience, your goals, and your growth. (AKA your $$$)
Strategic Design – We don’t just “make things pretty.” Everything we create, from logos to websites to marketing materials, is rooted in strategy, psychology, and what actually drives engagement and conversions.
Big Agency Quality, Small Business Approach – No cookie-cutter solutions here. We bring the high standards of big-$$ marketing to small and medium-sized businesses, all with a personal, tailored approach.
Creative & Operational Expertise – With my background in branding and marketing and Russ’s expertise in operations and client experience, we bring a rare mix of creativity and structure to every project. We’re not just building brands; we’re setting businesses up for long-term success.
What We Offer
Branding & Identity – Logos, brand strategy, guidelines, and everything you need to look totally professional and polished.
Website Design & Development – From starter sites to full-scale e-commerce, we build – or just design – websites that are both stunning and functional.
Social Media Strategy & Management – Content creation, engagement, and strategy to turn followers into loyal customers.
Marketing & Content Creation – Email marketing, ad creatives, custom graphics, presentations—you name it, we handle it.
What We’re Most Proud Of?
Honestly? The trust our clients put in us to bring their brands to life. Seeing our clients light up when they see their branding, website, or marketing finally reflect their vision… it’ll never get old. We’ve helped everyone from local entrepreneurs to national brands create something they’re truly proud of.
And now, with our evolution into Foundry 237, we’re taking things to the next level: new name, new look, same (if not stronger) dedication to creativity and strategy. Keep an eye on our Instagram and website for the official launch. We can’t wait to share what’s next!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Russ has worked his way up from dishwasher to chef de cuisine in Michelin-starred kitchens, and now, he’s bringing that same expertise to F237, helping us build a company that’s equal parts creativity and structure. So, while most branding agencies don’t have years of culinary and logistics experience sprinkled in, ours does. (And yes, this does mean our client meetings often involve very good snacks and bangin’ homemade hot sauce.)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jordanrhodesdesign.net
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/foundry237
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundry237
Image Credits
Monica Farber
Grace Kelly
