Rian Chandler-Dovis with Brand Federation
Title: Managing partner of brand strategy and research at Brand Federation, a Richmond-based consulting firm that connects independent branding and marketing specialists with companies that need their skills for temporary, project-specific work.
Born: 1983 in Greenville, N.C.
Education: Bachelor of science in art and design, James Madison University, 2004; master’s in creative brand management, Virginia Commonwealth University’s Brandcenter, 2017
Career: Various jobs, many of which were freelance, in marketing/design, 2004-2011; F&M Bank/VBS Mortgage, 2011-2015; Work Labs, 2016-2017; Sylvain Labs, 2017-2019; and Brand Federation, 2019-present
Where in the metro area do you live?: Lakeside
Best business decision: “Joining the team at Brand Federation. [Richmond advertising and branding veteran Kelly O’Keefe] approached me when he was just starting our business, and leaving my job to join a startup carried risk. I am so glad I didn’t let that risk distract from the opportunity. A couple of years later, and we have grown into the company of my dreams: a group of kind, passionate, and talented people who care deeply about their work and the impact it makes.”
Worst business decision: “The worst decisions I have made in life and in work have been at times when I cared more about ‘fitting in’ than I did about being myself and making work I was proud of. I have been lucky that none of my business decisions have been debilitating, but I have made plenty of mistakes.”