Creative Studio Washington DC

Introducing the Top Shelf Blog: Stories, Strategies, and the Spark Behind the Work

It all started at a kitchen table.

Two spirited entrepreneurs. One big idea. A shared vision—to create the kind of marketing and design firm we always wished existed. One that prioritized strategy as much as creativity. One that delivered not just results, but a true partnership experience. From that humble beginning, Top Shelf Design was born: a team built to raise the bar on quality and client care in our industry.

Fast forward 20 years, and that vision has grown in ways we could only imagine. Thousands of projects later, with more than 3,100 clients served, we’ve evolved into an agile, award-winning collective of marketers, strategists, and creatives passionate about helping others thrive.

What’s kept us going? What sets us apart?

A deep commitment to collaboration, innovation, and always pushing creative boundaries—together. We’ve built a workplace culture where people genuinely care about one another and take pride in delivering top-shelf work every single day.

Today, Top Shelf Design is proudly headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a talented remote team across Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, and South Carolina. Our clients span the business and nonprofit spectrum, and we’re honored to be a trusted partner in graphic design and web development.

And now, we’re adding something new.

Over the coming years, we’re excited to bring you closer to our world through our brand-new blog. We’ll share stories, strategies, insights, and behind-the-scenes moments that reflect the heart of what we do—and why we love doing it. Whether you’re a longtime client, a future collaborator, or simply someone who loves great design and sharp marketing, this space is for you.

Expect fresh ideas, thoughtful commentary, and a healthy dose of inspiration. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned since those early kitchen table days, it’s this: sharing knowledge is one of the best ways to grow—together.

So stay tuned. We’ve got stories to tell, and we can’t wait to take you along for the ride.

Welcome to the next chapter of Top Shelf Design.

author avatar
Kathryn Kiel
Kathryn is president of Top Shelf Design and serves in a relationship management role as liaison between our clients and the design team. She has a strong track record of helping our client initiatives succeed thanks to her skill in business process and passion for customer service. Kathryn’s leadership responsibilities also ensure our high standards of professionalism and accountability with each client project. Prior to launching Top Shelf Design, she served as senior vice president of InterSolutions, Inc. Kathryn is a graduate of James Madison University and holds an MBA from the University of Maryland.
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