About Us
Built for the Underdogs. Powered by Purpose.
​
In 2017, fresh out of undergrad with an internship at one of Kansas City's top agencies under his belt, Dominic Donell expected doors to open. He had glowing evaluations, real skills, and a hunger to create—but the industry didn’t make room. So, he built his own table—and invited the overlooked, underestimated, and underrepresented to sit with him.
​
That’s how Brand House KC was born—not just as a creative agency, but as a movement to brand the brilliance that’s often hidden in plain sight. Dominic started with the people around him—friends and neighbors with powerful ideas, community-rooted nonprofits, and small businesses with big visions but few resources. These weren’t high-budget clients. They were purpose-driven people who just needed someone to believe in them.
​
Brand House KC was built for the underdogs—those whose stories too often go untold. We partner with the dreamers, the doers, and the disruptors—especially those from marginalized communities—to bring their missions to life through strategic, story-centered branding.
​
Our approach is different because we don’t just deliver logos and messaging—we embed ourselves in your culture. We spend time in your spaces, we listen, we learn, and we lead from within. We become true partners in your communications—not just consultants, but collaborators who care deeply about your impact.
​
One of our proudest early moments wasn’t tied to a paycheck, but to purpose: helping launch No Lost Souls, a nonprofit rooted in the same neighborhood Dominic grew up in. That project—and so many since—reminded us that impact will always matter more than prestige.
​
At Brand House KC, we believe that Kansas City is full of stories worth telling—and we’re here to make sure they’re never forgotten.
​
We build brands that move people—because when the right stories rise, entire communities do too.
"I don’t just love branding—I love what it unlocks for people. Watching someone finally see themselves reflected in their story, their logo, their campaign… that’s the part that never gets old. I do this because I know what it feels like to be overlooked. So every brand I build is a promise to help someone take up space, own their narrative, and show the world who they really are."
— Dominic Donell, Founder of Brand House KC
Meet Dominic Donell
Founder & CEO, Brand House KC | Creative Strategist & Community Storyteller
Building Brands for the Bold, the Brilliant, and the Overlooked
Dominic Donell is a Kansas City-born creative strategist, brand architect, and the visionary founder of Brand House KC—a full-service branding and communications agency committed to telling the stories that too often go unheard. With a bold voice, a heart for justice, and an eye for design, Dominic has made it his life’s work to amplify underdog brands, grassroots movements, and legacy builders who are changing the game in their industries and communities.
​
After graduating from college in 2017, Dominic interned at one of Kansas City’s top marketing firms, where he received rave reviews but no job offer—an all-too-familiar story for Black creatives trying to break into exclusive industries. Instead of waiting for a seat at the table, Dominic built his own—and invited the people around him to sit with him. From nonprofit founders with no budget but big vision to small business owners with deep community roots, his first clients were people just like him: ambitious, overlooked, and full of promise.
That promise became Brand House KC.
​
What started as a one-man operation has grown into a dynamic agency known for blending cultural authenticity with strategic excellence. Under Dominic’s leadership, Brand House KC has helped power historic political wins—like the election of Jackson County’s first Black woman prosecutor, Melesa Johnson—developed bold campaigns for civic and social impact, and supported businesses and nonprofits that are shaping Kansas City’s future.
​
Dominic’s approach is deeply immersive. He doesn’t just create brands—he enters the ecosystem. Whether on construction sites capturing the grit of a project, sitting in executive meetings, or gathering stories on the ground, he becomes a true partner to his clients. This boots-on-the-ground philosophy allows Brand House KC to craft brands that don’t just look good—they move people.
​
His work is rooted in the belief that branding is more than aesthetics—it’s an act of empowerment. It’s how communities preserve their culture, claim their value, and shape their legacy. Dominic brings that philosophy into every project, helping clients not only be seen, but be remembered.
​
A mentor to young creatives, a champion for equity, and a proud son of Kansas City, Dominic Donell is more than a brand strategist—he’s a storyteller for the revolutionaries, the rebuilders, and the ones who dare to dream out loud.