Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Jeff Corey of East Atlanta

Jeff Corey shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Jeff, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Honestly, the past year has given me plenty to smile about. Visual Soldiers doubled in size, which still blows my mind when I say it out loud. We brought on new team members, took on bigger and bolder projects, and scaled the company in ways that felt like leveling up in real time. I’m especially proud of how we reinvented our approach in this post-COVID world — launching new services, refining our design subscription model, and pushing ourselves to stay as agile as the brands we serve. Watching the team rise to every challenge has been one of those “wow, we really built this” moments.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jeff Corey, one of the managing partners of Visual Soldiers — a design and digital agency built on the belief that bold ideas and sharp execution can change the trajectory of a brand. We help companies stand out with strategy-led design, UX/UI, and high-performing websites, and this year we’ve grown faster than ever. What makes us unique is our ability to blend artistry with real business impact. Whether it’s crafting brand identities, building digital experiences, or supporting ongoing creative needs through our design subscription model, we’ve built a system that empowers clients to scale quickly and confidently. My story is rooted in curiosity and a love for problem-solving, and right now we’re focused on expanding our capabilities, taking on more ambitious projects, and continuing to elevate the standard for design in our industry.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really reshaped how I see the world actually came from a season of introspection last year. I found myself diving into a handful of incredible metaphysics books—stuff that pushed me to rethink how energy, belief, and intention actually show up in our day-to-day lives. Somewhere in that process, I had this realization that completely shifted my perspective: for years, I kept saying I didn’t want a large agency. But the truth was, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to grow… I just didn’t know how to run a large company yet. By repeating that narrative, I was unintentionally capping my own potential to even grow a little. The moment I released that mental block, everything changed. The business began scaling in a way that felt natural, intentional, and uniquely ours. It taught me that mindset can be the biggest barrier—or the biggest unlock—to your next chapter.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was definitely a moment when I questioned whether I wanted to keep running an agency. Like a lot of people, COVID played a major role in forcing some uncomfortable clarity. Business slowed, focus was scattered, and every week felt like guessing what the world would look like next. It was the one period where giving up felt like a real possibility. But that’s also when my now-partner, Amanda VandenHeuvel, stepped in and reignited the spark. She brought fresh energy, discipline, and a new perspective into the company at a time when it needed it the most. I credit her for helping rebuild our momentum — and honestly, Visual Soldiers wouldn’t have doubled in size this past year without her leadership and partnership.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the design and digital industry tells itself is that speed and volume are the only things clients care about. There’s this constant pressure to move fast, churn out work, and package creativity like it’s a commodity. When in reality, the brands that win are the ones built with intention, strategy, and real partnership. Another lie is that bigger always means better. I’ve seen plenty of large agencies hide behind their size while delivering work that feels templated or disconnected. Clients aren’t looking for noise; they’re looking for clarity, originality, and teams who actually listen. At Visual Soldiers, we’ve built our reputation on the opposite — thoughtful design, true collaboration, and work that isn’t just pretty but actually moves a business forward.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If immortality were real, what would you build?
I’d probably build something that empowers other people to see the world with more curiosity, more intention, and more imagination. If you’re going to live forever, you might as well spend that time helping others build things that last, too. Maybe it’s a global network of creative centers or cool coffee shops, maybe it’s a platform that constantly evolves with new technology, or maybe it’s a living “design library” that grows forever. Not really sure.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://visualsoldiers.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visualsoldiers/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffjcorey/

Image Credits
Visual Soldiers