STRATEGY, BRANDING, BRAND MANAGEMENT

One could easily write off South Sound Scooters as “just a Vespa dealership,” but anyone who’s ridden a Vespa knows it’s not just a scooter. Nestled in the heart of Tacoma, South Sound Scooters has become a hub for the South Sound’s passionate and active scooting community.

At its core, this is a business built on sharing the unfiltered joy of the ride. The team believes in the power of two-wheeled, low-power transportation—the kind that makes you grin under your helmet for no real reason at all. Scooters are fun, funny, a little dumb yet surprisingly liberating. There’s something inherently meditative about an open road, a fully-gassed scoot, and the confidence to ride it with pride.

South Sound Scooters

Background

With the nearest Vespa and Piaggio dealerships found in Seattle and Portland, Mark and Jason—both longtime riders—recognized an underserved market and knew the South Sound was looking for something closer to home. What began as a small, independent dealership quickly evolved into a cornerstone for local riders, collectors, and first-timers alike.

Process

This project was deeply personal from the start. As with many independent businesses, South Sound Scooters became an extension of its owners—rooted in passion, purpose, and a love of the ride. The brand strategy needed to reflect that energy while resonating with a wide range of riders, from beginners to seasoned adventurers.

I developed a brand and visual strategy that spoke to core audience segments while capturing the personal ideology and joie de vivre of the owners themselves. From its inception, I continued to guide the brand through campaigns, events, and marketing materials that engaged both new riders and a growing community of loyal friends and customers. Over three years, the brand and business grew together, becoming the top-selling scooter dealership in the Pacific Northwest and a trusted part of Tacoma’s local landscape.

  • Mural: Proposal, project coordination, & event planning. Created in collaboration with Curtis Ashby and Spaceworks Tacoma

  • Holiday Campaign: Social channels, email marketing, paid advertising, in-store activations. Limited-run merchandise created in collaboration with Naomi Joe Coffee and Defiant Candle Company

  • Ride with Pride: Event branding, apparel design, and yearly community ride organization celebrating LGBTQ+ riders and allies.

  • Annual swap meet: Event identity design and coordination supporting a yearly swap meet and ride enjoyed by riders across the Seattle–Tacoma region.

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