By VICTORIA ADDISON
Executive Editor
For Katherine Crodelle, her love of art and nature has taken her down a new path; one that merges the two together.
A Loudonville native, Crodelle, 23, founded her own graphic design and marketing company early this February. The company’s name, Beyond the Peak Design & Marketing, LLC, has ties to a well known mountain range in northern New York.
“The name was inspired by the value I bring to my clients and also the love I have for the High Peaks (Adirondack Mountains),” said Crodelle, who came up with the company’s name herself. “My goal is to help each one of my clients reach their ‘peak’ and go beyond it. Taking marketing to the next level to create brand awareness and generate revenue.”
Crodelle specializes in graphic design, social media marketing, creative marketing and photography. Her fluency in programs such as Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office helps her bring ideas to life.
“I design everything from logos to wedding invitations to menus to social media advertising posts,” said Crodelle.
Based out of Albany, Beyond the Peak offers services that include: logo design, rebranding campaigns, social media marketing, photographing, stationary, advertising, giveaway and promotional material and invitations and cards.
Currently, the company has over ten clients that range from restaurants to a hair stylist, and even a travel agency.
“Without Katie’s help, professionalism and extraordinary vision with graphic design my new company would not be where it is today,” said Maria Schecter, owner of the travel agency Loudon Travel. Schecter is a current client of Crodelle’s and has known her for about a year.
The move to launch Beyond the Peak was a solo venture, but Crodelle’s family and friends helped provide feedback throughout the process. As of right now, Crodelle is still working alone, but she may eventually decide to hire employees.
A member of the graduating class of 2014, Crodelle majored in communications with a concentration in advertising and public relations at The College of Saint Rose. A transfer student from the University of Miami, Crodelle attended Saint Rose for roughly a year and half. Her decision to move back home was influenced by her family, the weather and, much like her company’s name, the Adirondack Mountains.
“I missed the seasons, the people, the Adirondacks…I was ready to receive my Bachelor’s degree and go onto the next chapter in my life,” she said. “My mother received her Master of Science in Elementary Education from Saint Rose and so I knew it was a great college my whole life.”
Despite her short stay, the College still provided Crodelle with a great learning experience.
“Saint Rose offered me an eclectic learning environment, in which I was able to become more well-rounded in the communications industry. Thus, helping me prepare for the corporate world,” she said.
Since graduation, Crodelle has worked for companies such as iHeartMedia Inc. and Potratz Partners Advertising. She currently works full-time as a Digital & Social Media Specialist at a social services organization called Northern Rivers Family of Services. Between Saint Rose and her professional career, Crodelle has seven years of experience in the graphic design field.
Although Beyond the Peak may still be in its infancy, Crodelle already feels a sense of accomplishment.
“So why graphic design? It’s simple, it’s an expression of what inspires me and never gets boring. There is always something new,” she said. “I don’t just help my clients, they help me too. It’s really great because it shows me how much is out there in this world.”
