Untether is defined as "to release" or "free."

 

Hi, friend! I’m Jessie Ford, the owner + designer behind Untethered, a boutique + bespoke branding and design studio for female founders ready to elevate their business with a professional visual brand and website quickly, so that they can attract their ideal clients and book out their services faster.

I’ve been a designer for well over a decade now and I absolutely love working alongside my fellow women small business owners, helping them build + grow their beautiful brands, because I’m walking the same journey with them!

Here is a little peek into my life and personal brand story…

When I was 17, I underwent two major (and unexpected) back surgeries. The first procedure corrected something called a "tethered spinal cord" (that I had unknowingly, my entire life) causing me to have severe scoliosis. The second procedure, two months later, was a 9-hour spinal fusion surgery that straightened my spine (already so curved from the scoliosis) with stainless steel rods and hardware — and in a single day, my life was forever changed.

The girl behind the brand

A lot of life has happened in the last 30 years. Whew.

I’ve battled back surgeries that changed everything, defined me and most importantly, taught me that I could overcome anything ever thrown at me.

I’ve traveled the country and devoted an endless amount of love, time and energy into horses trained to be athletes, animals that I’ve not thought twice about trusting my life and entire being with, anytime I’ve swung a leg over them.

And, I’ve built this sweet baby of a creative small business that through all of the ups and downs (and everything in between) at the end of the day, I’m really proud of.

Creative roots + wings

I spent much of my childhood doodling, drawing, writing stories and taking art lessons (from the same teacher that my mother had when she was young.) Years later, I served as the editor of my high school newspaper and was a recipient of a National Art Honor Society scholarship. In the fall of 2004 (post back surgeries - see above) I began my college career at Ohio University (Go Bobcats!) and by 2008, I completed a Bachelors of Science degree in Visual Communication (with a General Art minor.) I spent 8 years at a few design 9-5s (working mostly in agency, a little corporate, some non-profit and even a professional sports team) before I took the leap to full-time self-employment. As a creative business owner, it's important for me to always remember why I do what I do — because deep down, all of these years later, I'm still the same little girl who has always loved visual storytelling and art. 

My “other” life/job

Those who know me well know that I love to work, plan "what's next" for my business, spend time with family and friends and travel frequently… but a lot of my heart + focus is also poured into my “equestrienne” lifestyle and owning + showing barrel racing horses on a national level. (Fun fact: I've been riding since I was 4 and am a 5x All American Quarter Horse Congress Champion on two different horses! The Congress is quite literally, the largest horse show in the world.)   

I have always balanced having "two lives" between living in the country/owning horses and working in a city, but now, running my business full-time from the comfort of home allows me to blend all that I do into my everyday life and routine — and I wouldn't have it any other way!