Katie Kravit & Julie Steinhagen: Winner of the 2024 Great Companies International Women Entrepreneur Award

Name: Katie Kravit & Julie Steinhagen

Business Name: Ugly Wolf

Location: Dallas, Texas and New York, New York , USA

Establishment (Year): 2018

Category: Advertising & Marketing

Profession/ Specialty: Branding Agency

Website: theuglywolf.com

Social Media:LinkedIn

Company Detail:

This award-winning, full-service strategic brand design agency, based in both New York and Dallas, stands out in a field where despite over 50% of design students being female, they are part of the rare 0.1% of female agency owners. Rejecting the binary of ugly and pretty, this agency employs strategic thinking to create dynamic, emotionally resonant brands and stories that resonate with audiences.

Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage:

The agency prides itself on its deliberate small size. Unlike typical agencies where clients may pay for senior expertise but receive work from junior designers, this agency ensures that clients work directly with experienced professionals from start to finish. Their approach is highly personalized, offering full attention to each client.

They operate as collaborative partners, blending a casual, yet professional style. With a mix of in-house and in-agency creative backgrounds, they provide the best of both worlds, acting as an extension of the client's team.The agency is flexible in its operations, customizing teams and quotes for each project to precisely fit clients' needs. This scalable approach, along with the option to bring in subject-matter experts, ensures a tailored creative solution for each client.As a full-service studio, the team handles all aspects of the branding process, from strategic formulation to visual identity design, and brings brands to life by meeting clients wherever they are in their journey.

Challenges Faced During the Journey:

The agency began in New York and expanded cross-country, adapting to remote collaboration even before the onset of a pandemic, economic turbulence, and rising inflation. These challenges were met head-on, and the agency thrived, relying on word-of-mouth referrals, a testament to their quality service and strong client relationships. Additionally, the founders balance the demands of young motherhood with business leadership, a proud achievement in both their professional and personal lives.

Advice for Women Entrepreneurs:

The agency encourages women entrepreneurs to embrace opportunity with a resounding "yes." They advise women to pursue their vision of success, both professionally and personally, and to design the life they've envisioned. This mindset of seizing opportunities and defining personal success is central to their philosophy and success.