In the fast-paced world of startups, many founders feel pressure to start marketing right away. But without a clear brand identity, their efforts often fall flat – messaging doesn’t land, visuals feel disjointed, and campaigns struggle to convert. Veronica McGibney, founder of Hoodies and Wine, believes the problem isn’t marketing – it’s clarity. Her approach flips the typical timeline, helping founders establish a strategic brand foundation before they invest in marketing, ensuring every move is built on alignment, consistency, and confidence.
Hoodies and Wine is a boutique branding strategy studio that supports early-stage founders in developing bold, cohesive brands – before they hire a full marketing team. Positioned at the intersection of storytelling and strategy, the company focuses on brand clarity that directly supports go-to-market success. From identifying core values to shaping messaging that speaks to the right audience, Hoodies and Wine helps founders communicate with purpose, professionalism, and precision.
What sets McGibney’s approach apart is her focus on strategy over visuals. While many branding agencies start with colors, logos, and aesthetics, Hoodies and Wine begins with defining brand identity and consistent messaging. This inside-out method ensures visual elements serve a clear purpose rather than functioning as decoration.
“I help founders define who they are, who they’re for, and how to communicate that with consistency – before touching the visuals,” says McGibney.
This strategy-based branding empowers founders who may not yet have the budget for a marketing team but possess the vision to build a lasting brand.
The story behind Hoodies and Wine is rooted in McGibney’s personal journey navigating entrepreneurship, motherhood, and the friction of working in fast-paced startups. Tired of the pressure to chase traditional success metrics, she created a business that helps other founders slow down and get intentional.
“Branding is about creating clarity, alignment, and confidence before the world sees you,” she explains.
Her work helps prevent the all-too-common scenario where startups invest in ads, SEO, and content – without a brand that’s ready to convert.
The Brand Before Marketing strategy is gaining traction – and for good reason. Founders today juggle operations, pitching, content creation, and hiring. Without a brand strategy in place, every task becomes harder. Branding provides the foundation: a consistent voice, a compelling message, and a roadmap for how to show up across every touchpoint.
“When you know who you are and how to communicate that,” McGibney says, “marketing becomes a conversation, not a guessing game.”
Founders who enter the market with a clear identity build trust faster – and scale with less friction.
Hoodies and Wine stands out as a boutique partner tailored to this critical growth phase. The company integrates brand clarity with go-to-market strategy, providing the essential tools for founders navigating early growth without the resources of a full marketing department. McGibney’s leadership style is grounded in empathy and attentiveness, helping clients feel seen, supported, and aligned – instead of overwhelmed by vague, one-size-fits-all branding approaches.
This commitment to clarity over trend-driven gimmicks provides a sustainable path for startups seeking a meaningful presence. Hoodies and Wine’s approach fosters brands that are professional, bold, and deeply connected to their founders’ vision – enabling consistent, confident, and scalable growth.
Ultimately, McGibney addresses one of the most overlooked challenges in startup success: launching without a clear brand. Her belief is simple – clarity comes first. Without it, marketing becomes expensive guesswork. Her work challenges traditional norms by positioning branding as a strategic, accessible, and essential growth tool. The company’s offerings reflect a deep understanding of the startup lifecycle – especially the moment when vision and ambition are high, but internal infrastructure is still catching up.
For early-stage founders looking to avoid the pitfalls of unclear messaging and disjointed branding, Hoodies and Wine offers a refreshing solution – blending creative insight with strategic discipline. By aligning identity with market presence, McGibney equips startups with the foundation they need to grow, lead, and thrive.
For more information:
Visit: hoodiesandwine.com
Follow on Instagram: @hoodiesandwine
Connect on LinkedIn: Veronica McGibney
Contact Information:
Veronica McGibney
Founder, Hoodies and Wine
Email: [email protected]
