We are often taught that building a successful brand means fitting into a mould– one that is polished, marketable, and consistent. Stick to the formula, stay inside the lines.
But what if success doesn’t come from playing by the rules? Maybe success looks more like intuition, collaboration, and the bold decision to build something that actually feels like you.
That is exactly what new creative and multimedia production agency, Fourteen Coats, is creating the space for: crafting authentic, bold, story-driven content that defies the traditional branding templates.
Bored with consistency, founder Erin J. Coholan created Fourteen Coats on the foundation of art-forward work. With her history of industry creative work, experimentation, and a commitment to redefine what branding can look like, Coholan created a business that reflects her values and approach to the creative world.
“In the early days, it was mostly just trying to get as much experience as possible and be the most experimental towards all of these other ways of working,” she says. “Eventually, a series of pushes from the universe put me in a position where it seemed like the next step.”
Fourteen Coats goes beyond what defines a typical creative agency, but is more of a creative ecosystem. They are building a brand on trust, community and intention. This isn’t about handing over a neatly packaged set of assets and calling it a day. “I’m not here to hand over 30 deliverables and leave,” Coholan explains. “I’m not selling a service. I’m building an experience.”
While Coholan is already an established creative in the industry, it is important to her that Fourteen Coats is separate from her personal image and work. Instead, she emphasizes the desire for a collaborative environment, where the creative process is shaped around the client’s instincts and ideas, not a preset formula or someone else’s style. Coholan states that “creativity feeds creativity,” and Fourteen Coats is drawn to all the creativity that is brought to the table.
This process invites clients to play an active role in shaping their brand’s visual language. Rather than directing from the top down, Fourteen Coats works alongside clients as creative partners, offering guidance, support, and a space to explore. “For me, it’s really about making sure the client’s instincts and gut feelings guide the process.”
The best creative work rarely starts with the answers, but it starts with the questions. Curiosity is at the heart of Fourteen Coats – finding inspiration within the curiosity of it all is a part of the process. Every project begins by exploring the deeper meaning behind a brand or idea. “Curiosity plays a huge role in how I work with clients. I like to really understand what they’re getting at – not just what they do, but why – and build a personal connection from there,” says Coholan.
Creativity, Collaboration, Curiosity: these are the words that are anchored within the Fourteen Coats values. And these are the words that are prioritized within the creative process, not just the end product. Erin J. Coholan is committed to providing you with an authentic, captivating and meaningful experience.
When it comes to working with Coholan and her team, it is not about fitting into a mould, but it’s not about breaking it entirely either. It is just meant to build a brand with the kind of energy that can only come from trusting the process and trusting yourself.
To learn more about the services Fourteen Coats offers, visit their website https://www.fourteencoats.com/
Written by Maddy Grasman
