Jana Michaelis

Strategy. Branding. Marketing. Design.

I’m a triple threat: creative, marketing, and tap dance. The tap dancing rarely makes it into client meetings, but the creativity and marketing always do.

People often ask how great brands seem to have a little magic. The truth is, it’s not magic at all. It’s curiosity, strategy, creativity, and a lot of hard work. I’ve spent more than 25 years bringing those ingredients together to build memorable brands, create meaningful experiences, and help businesses find the sparkle that sets them apart.

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Years Experience
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Websites Built
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Dollar Marketing Budget Managed
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Brands Managed Simultaneously
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Rewards Members Built
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Social Growth
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AWARDS

TOP 20 WOMEN IN HOSPITALITY
Inaugural Class 2024
WISCONSIN RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION

2024 DAVY AWARD
Brand Identity – WCD LOGO
WISCONSIN CENTER DISTRICT

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Hospitality
Retail

Entertainment
Events

Manufacturing
Franchise Systems

Nonprofit
Corporate

SERVICES

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Strategy

Great strategy starts with asking the right questions, not assuming you already have the answers. I take the time to understand the business, the audience, and the challenges before building a plan that connects creativity with measurable results.
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Web/Graphic Design

I have transformed ideas into compelling visual experiences through graphic design and web design. I create everything from brand identities and marketing campaigns to intuitive websites that balance creativity, functionality, and user experience. Every design is crafted with intention, ensuring it not only looks beautiful but also communicates clearly, strengthens the brand, and delivers measurable results.

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Branding

A great brand is more than a logo. It is the promise you make, the experience you create, and the feeling people remember long after they leave. I build brands from the inside out by uncovering what makes a business unique and translating that into a clear visual identity.

 

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Marketing

I believe great marketing starts with understanding people, because every successful campaign begins with a human connection. I create integrated marketing strategies that combine branding, digital marketing, social media, websites, email, and traditional media into one cohesive message

TESTIMONIALS

Andrew K.

I recently opened a meal delivery company and had no idea how to set up a website, connect social media, design a business theme, or set up a marketing plan. Jana brought a fresh perspective to each step and helped reduce the stress and anxiety of starting my new business. I was very impressed with her ability to design and create a professional look online in such a short amount of time. Creative skills aside, Jana was also a joy to work with and her positive energy made me feel like she was equally invested in the success of my business. I would highly recommend Jana for all of your creative and marketing needs!

Kelly R.

Creative, collaborative and strategic! I had the pleasure of working with Jana at the Bartolotta Restaurant Group for 15 years. During her time, Jana had taken a company with just a couple of restaurants to creating a brand in the community that was recognized and admired. Her ability to manage both her creative team as well as the operations team with the constant “on the fly” requests came with ease. Jana is highly engaged and will give 110% to any organization she is a part of.

Kim L.

I have had the pleasure of working alongside Jana on the Directors Team at Bartolotta’s Management Group. Jana is extremely creative, an independent thinker and has a good business acumen. She has led her teams to success through empowering them and letting their creativity shine. She single handedly created the look and feel of the Bartolotta’s brand. She an amazingly talented individual!

Jennifer B.

Sparkle. Imaginative. Team player. Loyal. All words Joe and I used over her 20+ years with the Bartolotta Restaurants. I had the opportunity to watch Jana’s evolution for almost her entire tenure. She rose through the ranks from a server to a valued member of our Executive Leadership team. We could always count on Jana to bring levity, an unique lens and fresh ideas to our discussions, challenges and opportunities. And, last but surely not least, Jana was always one of the first employees to step up and volunteer the gifts of her time and talent to the myriad of philanthropic activities we participated in. I confidently recommend Jana and would be honored to serve as a reference for her.

Cindi M.

I had the pleasure of working with Jana at The Bartolotta Restaurants. Jana is an innovative designer with a smart, strategic approach to creative messaging. Her talents are not limited to design, and include all areas of marketing and project management. Jana is a supportive team member who celebrates the success of others. Any organization that has Jana on their team will benefit from her great knowledge and experience.

Ruth L.

If there were ever anyone who can weather the storm and still make things happen, it’s Jana. Our team didn’t always know the minutiae of what was going on at the director level, but we didn’t have to. Jana always had our back. She was fierce when it came to defending her team and our work. And, never one to rest on her laurels, she kept pushing us to innovate and find new ways to make our department and our company even better. Jana has an innate ability to have people love her and follow her lead. She knows her strengths and can put together teams to complement those.

LEADERSHIP

Mentoring designers/marketers

Building departments

Vendor management

Budgets

Sprint process

Presenting to executives

Cross-functional leadership