The Need
After more than a decade of serving clients together, as part of the Wells Fargo network, Bryan Vowels and Troy Stovern decided to step out on their own as an independent RIA firm. They had a calling to help people with more than just wealth or retirement planning. Knowing that finances touch every part of a person’s life, they saw themselves as guides to help individuals and families maximize their wealth in order to live a fulfilling life of purpose, beyond the bottom line.
Our Approach
In an industry of regulated sameness, the firm has the potential to own a unique position in their marketplace. The challenge would be to craft an identity that speaks to the table stakes of their services, but makes room for building plans that look beyond their clients’ bottom line.
Naming
Through in-depth discovery, Frankel helped to find the essence of who they wanted to be for their clients. They saw themselves as guides, helping people find their purpose and their passion—their ‘true north’. And much like people have used stars to find their place and chart their way, the firm looks to help clients navigate challenges and steer them towards opportunities. Committed to making an impact in the lives of their clients and their community, Frankel created a name and unique qualifier that speaks to both aspects of their mission: TrueNorth Wealth & Impact.
Brand Identity
Leaning into the idea of TrueNorth as a guide and navigator for clients, the brand identity prominently features a star in all versions of the logo. The primary version sets the full name atop a solid horizontal bar—referencing the sturdy foundation of the brand’s approach—with the Impact & Wealth qualifier underneath. An abbreviated variation of the logo pairs the star with the letter N, giving a nod to the name, and a shortened version of the horizontal bar. A brand palette of rich, calming earth tones allows the logo to be used in a variety of placements.
Brand Position
The first piece is distilling that big idea into a single, ownable statement. Something that serves as the true north (pun intended) for the brand:
A future built with purpose.
This statement carries many meanings. “Future” speaks to the wealth planning we provide. “Built” conveys the many pieces taken into consideration by all parties. “Purpose” is layered with the goals, passions, and the individual purpose of each client.
Gearing Up for the Path Ahead
After developing the brand’s verbal and visual identities, we set out to work to equip TrueNorth with the core assets necessary to launch the brand. A new website, print collateral and promotional materials were developed to showcase the message and service offerings, all leading up to a grand opening event showcasing the brand and TrueNorth’s new office space.
