WELCOME TO

THE BRANDING PEN

Trust Your Neighbours, But Brand Your Business.

About

ABOUT ME

Hi, I’m Shelby Stewart—writer, website builder, marketing strategist, Alberta Beef Magazine's Marketing Columnist and the brain behind The Branding Pen.

I started The Branding Pen to help rural and ranch-rooted businesses bring their vision to life with branding that feels true, websites that work hard, and marketing that actually makes sense. With a background in Western living and a formal education in marketing and digital strategy, I bridge the gap between grassroots grit and polished professionalism.

Whether you’re selling beef, handmade goods, or a service you poured your soul into, I’m here to help you turn ideas into strategy and stories into sales. I’ve worked with businesses across Canada and the U.S., and what I’ve learned is this: you don’t need to “go viral” or overhaul your personality to grow—you just need the right tools and support.

I believe in small-town values, high-quality work, and keeping things simple (but effective). My clients know me for my honest feedback, efficient systems, and websites that get compliments long after they launch.

If you’re ready to brand your business with clarity and confidence, I’d be honoured to be a part of your journey. Read The Branding Pen's full origin story here. I promise it's a good one!

Free Support

Schedule Consultation

So, What Can I Do For You?

If you’re selling a farm product direct-to-consumer without a solid sales strategy in place, it's going to be hard to reach your goals and the level of financial freedom that you're looking for. Getting a logo made, throwing posts up only when you have the energy and using an outdated website aren't going to get you the results you're dreaming of. You need a proven system that helps people:
– find you
– trust you
– and actually buy from you

That’s where I come in. I help farmers and ranchers stop being treated like a commodity and start building brands people recognize, trust, and choose to spend money with. Whether we’re working on your website, your content, or your overall strategy, the goal is the same: turn your online presence into something that actually supports your business. Not just something that exists.

Social Media Management

For the rancher who’s tired of posting… and not seeing results.

Most farms are showing up online.

But they’re not building trust, recognition, or demand. That’s where the gap is. With social media management, I take your content from:
– random posts
– repeated product explanations
– inconsistent visibility

…and turn it into a system that:
– builds familiarity and trust over time
– positions your farm as the one people recognize
– and supports consistent sales—not just occasional ones

This is not about “posting for you.” It’s about creating an online brand that you're proud of and showing up in a way that makes people choose you. Book a free discovery call to learn more.

Website Design

For the farm or ranch that’s ready to look as professional as the product they produce.

Your website should not just exist.

It should be your hardest working employee.

Most farm websites:
– are unclear
– hard to navigate
– or don’t guide people toward buying

Which means people leave… even if they were interested.

I design websites that:
– clearly communicate who you are and what makes you different
– build trust quickly
– and guide visitors toward taking action

So when someone lands on your site, they don’t have to figure it out. They feel confident buying from you. Book a free discovery call to learn more.

Coaching & Strategy

For the farmer or rancher who wants to understand what actually drives sales and is ready to put the work in to make their dreams happen.

If you want to stay hands-on in your marketing,
but stop guessing what works—this is for you.

Inside coaching, we focus on:
– your messaging
– your positioning
– your content
– and your overall sales system

So you can:
– understand what you’re doing and why
– make better decisions
– and build something that works long-term

This is not theory.

It’s practical, applied strategy tailored to your farm and your goals. Book your coaching call and let's get down to business!

My Services

I’m your Rural Business Bestie — equal parts Coach Taylor and Tony Robbins — here to help you market your business with clarity, confidence, and strategy. I offer Social Media Management, Website Builds, Coaching, and fully Customized Marketing Support Packages designed to meet you exactly where you are. If you want to explore what working together could look like, the easiest way is to send me an email or book a completely free Discovery Call.

The Branding Pen FREE Discovery Call
A free 20-30 minute clarity call to find your best next step forward & whether TBP is a good fit.
Read More
30 min
Bespoke Web Build Discovery Call
Your website isn’t just a place people land—it’s the front porch of your business.
Read More
30 min
Social Media Management Discovery Call
You don’t need someone to just “post for you.”
Read More
30 min

Explore More Services

Contact

The Pen & Pasture Blog—
Marketing Insights for Modern Producers
Read my monthly marketing column in Alberta Beef Magazine

Trust Your Neighbours, But Brand Your Business: The Birth Of The Branding Pen

Hello, welcome, and pull up a chair —because this is the official introduction to me, Shelby Stewart, and the little spark of an idea that became The Branding Pen . This is the semi-inspiring and moderately embarrassing story of how a black-sheep cowgirl with piercings, guinea pigs (it'll make sense later) and a lifelong love of entrepreneurship ended up building a successful marketing agency for rural, ranch, and farm-based businesses… and why I care so deeply about doing th

WTF!? CLONED MEAT JUST GOT GREEN-LIGHTED IN CANADA. This Is Your Moment to Shine!

You probably saw the headlines — quietly slipping through the news: Health Canada is moving to allow meat from cloned cattle (and hogs) — or their offspring — into the food supply, without special labeling or public fanfare. The Epoch Times That means grocery stores and big-scale processors could start selling “cloned beef” (or at least beef from the offspring of cloned animals) right alongside “regular” meat — we, the regular people, are disgusted and appalled, and you , the

Hang In There, Little Buddy — Why Consistency And Patience Pay Off Online

(A love letter to every small business owner who has ever stared at their analytics page and whispered “what in the actual hell…?”) Let’s talk about something wildly unsexy but absolutely necessary in the world of social media marketing: patience. Yes, I know—patience is for saints, parents of toddlers, and people waiting for their cattle to finally come off summer grass. But here we are . Because when it comes to building an online presence that actually converts, you need p

If you want to actually sell out your farm-to-table product, these 3 things matter more than most people realize. They seem small but they actually make a world of difference and without them it'll be very difficult to scale your business to the level of sales you're looking for.

1. Trust (Consistency)
If people only hear from you when you have beef available,
they don’t know you well enough to buy.

Show up consistently.
Let people get familiar with you, your farm, and how you operate.

👉 The buy-in comes before the purchase.

2. Social Proof
Folks are more likely to purchase from brands that they can tell other people like and enjoy. Once you start getting positive feedback make sure you spread the word. People want to know: “Has anyone else bought from this person—and had a good experience?”

Share:
– customer feedback
– repeat buyers
– photos of orders
– real experiences

👉 This reduces risk and builds confidence.

3. Authority
You live this every day—but your audience doesn’t see that unless you show it. Take control of the narrative and be proud of your background and lifestyle.

Talk about:
– how you raise your animals
– why you do things the way you do
– what makes your operation different
- why your ranch is the ranch folks should invest in

👉 Not to “educate”… but to build trust and credibility.

Most ranchers are doing some of this…
But not in a way that actually moves people toward buying.
That’s the difference.

If you want help applying this to your farm or ranch, DM me to book a coaching call.

I’ll walk you through exactly how to turn this into a system that supports consistent sales.

Shelby

Is it time to refresh your website? 💻

It can be hard to know when it’s actually time—especially when your current site “works”… technically.

But your website shouldn’t just exist. It should guide people, build trust, and convert.

Your website should be your hardest working employee.
Always on.
Always available.
Always working for the sale.
Always assisting your customer.

If it isn’t doing all of those things and working longer hours than you are, then it simply isn’t doing its full job.

Here are a few signs you might be ready:
1️⃣ You’re getting traffic, but not inquiries or sales
People are clicking… but not taking action. That usually means your site isn’t clearly guiding them on what to do next.
2️⃣ You know your business has grown—but your website hasn’t caught up
Your offers, quality, and experience have leveled up… but your online presence still feels like an old version of you.
3️⃣ You want a professional, strategic online presence—without it feeling overwhelming or confusing
You’re ready for something that actually works for your business, not something you avoid sending people to.
4️⃣ You’re tired of piecing things together and hoping it works. You want a clear, intentional site built with strategy, not guesswork.

If you’re nodding along to any of these… it’s probably time.
Your website is often the first impression of your business—and when it’s done right, it builds confidence, communicates your value, and helps people take that next step.

If you’re ready for a website that feels aligned, clear, and built to convert—I’d love to work with you.

Send me a DM with “WEBSITE” and we’ll chat through what this could look like for you.

Babies on the ground is the best feeling!

If you’re ready to hit the ground running in your farm to table beef business this Spring, shoot me a DM so we can talk about what marketing support that actually moves the needle (and makes money) looks like!

My passion is helping farmers & ranchers with website’s that actually collect emails and sales and socials that actually drive people there.

Lets chat! Message me here or send me an email at thebrandingpenmarketing@gmail.com

Shelby

You think spending $2K on a website is a lot?

Okay — but imagine this.

You finally have a website you’re actually proud of.
It clearly explains what you do.

It makes you look established.
And when someone lands on it, they immediately understand who you are, why you’re not like your competition and why they should buy from you.

So you send someone the link.
Instead of going back and forth answering a bunch of questions…
they’re ready.

And your visitors either inquire.
Leave their email.
Or they buy.

And that keeps happening.
Over and over again.

Because your website isn’t just sitting there — it’s doing part of the selling for you.

That’s the difference.

Most websites are just information dumps.

Mine are built with strategy, positioning, and sales in mind.
It’s 2026, you can’t afford to be a commodity. You have to stand out. And strong branding, positioning and marketing does that.

So yeah, $2K might feel like a stretch upfront. I totally get that.

But if you’re serious about your business and ready to actually compete online, it’s one of the smartest investments you can make.

If you’re ready for a website that actually works for you, send me a DM or book through the link in my bio.

Despite being a team of one I couldn’t help but jump onto this cute trend! Which version of Baby Shelby are you hiring next? 💻

“I’d love social media management… but it’s not in the budget right now.”

I hear this all the time — and honestly, it makes total sense.

Not everyone is ready to fully hand off their social media. But that doesn’t mean you should be stuck guessing, spinning your wheels, or posting without a plan.

That’s exactly why I offer my Social Media Audit.

This is for the business owner who wants results, but needs something more manageable right now.

I’ve grown my dad and I’s business page to 120K+ followers, (and that’s possible for you too) managed and supported countless other pages, and worked inside real businesses — not just theory. I know what works, but more importantly, I know how to make it realistic for busy people.

With my audit, you get a full review of your current social media (written and delivered so you can refer back to it), a 1:1 strategy call, and 7 days of follow-up support while you actually start implementing.

No long-term contracts.
No pressure to outsource before you’re ready.
Just clarity, direction, and a plan you can actually stick to so you can start seeing social media results!

Book your audit at the link in my bio or DM me to get started.

•
•
•

#socialmediaaudit #ruralbusiness #smallbusinessmarketing #agmarketing #farmbusiness thebrandingpen digitalmarketing

There’s a big difference between posting and positioning.

Posting keeps your account alive.
Positioning builds trust, authority, and sales.

I work with farmers and ranchers who don’t want random content. They want a clear strategy behind what they’re doing online.

Every reel, every caption, every campaign should support a bigger goal.

If you’re looking for someone to just “handle Instagram,” I’m probably not the right fit.

If you want a strategist who builds a plan and executes it properly, we should talk.

DM me or book through the link in my bio.

•
•
•

#RuralBusiness #RanchBusiness #FarmMarketing #WesternEntrepreneur #AgribusinessMarketing

Rural businesses shouldn’t have to chase customers.

You deserve a marketing system that makes it easy for people to find you, trust you, and buy from you—without explaining yourself 10 different ways.

That starts with clear messaging and a marketing that works as hard as you do.

📩 Contact me or book a free discovery call at the link in my bio

.
.
.

#RuralBusiness #RanchBusiness #FarmMarketing #WesternEntrepreneur #AgribusinessMarketing

If your website looks like an afterthought, urban buyers will treat your business like one.

You work hard to raise quality beef, manage land responsibly, and run a real business—but if your online presence doesn’t reflect that, it breaks trust before you ever get a chance to build it.

🧠 97% of consumers say a business’s website influences whether they buy.
📉 75% judge credibility based on your design.
🌐 With 8.5 billion Google searches every day, your next customer is already looking—you just need to meet them there.

Urban buyers don’t know what good cattle looks like—but they do know what a credible business feels like online.

That’s where I come in.

I build clean, conversion-focused websites that position rural businesses to connect with modern, often urban audiences—without losing their identity.

Fast turnaround. Clear message. Built to sell.

📩 DM me to book your free discovery call
🔗 Or click the link in bio to get started

.
.
.

#RuralBusiness #RanchBusiness #FarmMarketing #WesternEntrepreneur #HomesteadBusiness WesternLifestyleBrand AgribusinessMarketing CountryBusiness

Posting without a plan is one of the biggest reasons small businesses burn out on social media.

You don’t need to post more.
You need to post with direction.

This Social Media Audit + Strategy gives you clarity, confidence, and a real plan you can easily follow.

If you want 2026 to be the year your online presence actually supports your business, this is the place to start. I created this package after building my business account to 120K followers, managing multiple social media platforms for small businesses and working as the Digital Marketing Specialist for Canada’s largest Western wear retailer.

You can book by sending me a DM or by booking directly through the link in my bio.

I’m so excited to share that my first-ever ad is officially in the January issue of Alberta Beef.

Seeing my work in a publication that matters to producers across the province feels like a full-circle moment — and a reminder that rural businesses deserve thoughtful, strategic marketing just as much as anyone else.

You can also check out my piece in this issue on cloned beef — an important conversation, approached with curiosity, context, and care.

And… this is just the beginning.
Another exciting announcement is coming soon. 👀

If you’ve got the January issue in hand, flip through — my ad and article are both inside.

•
•
•

#AlbertaBeef #CanadianAgriculture #AgMarketing #RuralBusiness #RanchLife #FarmMarketing #AgCommunity #WomenInAg #CanadianRanchers #TheBrandingPen

If you’ve been telling yourself “I’ll figure out social media later” — this is later.

Having an Instagram or Facebook account isn’t the problem.
Not knowing what to post, why you’re posting, or how it ties back to your business is.

This audit is hands down one of the best investments you can make in your business in 2026.

You’ll get:
A real strategy that you can follow through with.
And a coaching call where we map out exactly how to use social media properly — not randomly.

January is when momentum is built.
Let’s get this right now, instead of repeating another year of guessing.

Book your Social Media Audit + Strategy through the link in my bio or shoot me a DM with your questions!

Shelby

So what do I actually do as your social media manager? It’s more than you think. And when you work with The Branding Pen, it isn’t just aesthetic it’s also strategic. It isn’t just “done for you” it’s also done professionally.

As your social media manager, I take care of the cadence, keep your branding consistent, make sure content goes out regularly, and ensure your products and services are being talked about clearly and confidently.

I also provide high-quality stock photography (yes, it’s included — and yes, I pay the licensing fees) so your content looks professional without adding extra cost or effort on your end.

The goal isn’t just to post — it’s to keep your business visible, trustworthy, and top of mind with the people you want to serve.

If you’re ready to stop juggling content and start seeing consistency, my ongoing social media packages are built for farmers, ranchers, and small businesses who want their marketing handled properly.

Learn more at thebrandingpen.ca or reach out through the link in my bio. Lets chat!

Shelby

Social media doesn’t have to feel confusing, overwhelming, or like another chore on your plate.

That’s why I offer two ways to work together — depending on what your business needs right now.

If you want expert eyes on your social media, clear direction, and a plan you can actually follow, my Social Media Audit + Strategy is the perfect place to start.

If you’re ready to hand it off completely and have your marketing handled for you, my ongoing social media packages are built specifically for farmers, ranchers, and small businesses.

Either way, you’ll get strategy that makes sense, supports your goals, and fits your real life — not trendy fluff.

👉🏽 Visit thebrandingpen.ca or book through the link in my bio to get started.

Your rural business deserves more than a website that just exists.

I build high-converting, sales-psychology-driven websites for farmers and ranchers who are ready to get online quickly — without sacrificing quality, clarity, or credibility.

No retainers.
No agency fluff.
No months of waiting.

Just a clean, strategic website that tells your story, builds trust, and helps the right people find you and buy from you.

From copywriting to structure to stock photography, I handle the details so you can stay focused on the work you actually love.

If you’re ready to get your rural business online — built right and built fast — learn more at thebrandingpen.ca or book a discovery call through the link in my bio!

Growth doesn’t always look like change.
Sometimes it looks like refinement.

In 2026, I’m keeping what works:
clear strategy, strong boundaries, fast & effective website builds, and marketing rooted in sales psychology—not trends or fluff.

I’m here to help farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses get online properly and build something that actually converts, not just looks good.

If 2026 is the year you want your website and marketing to work as hard as you do—
book a discovery call through the link in my bio.

When you book a website build with The Branding Pen, you’re not just getting a “pretty site.” You’re getting a site that’s built with intention, strategy, and sales psychology — without the agency fluff.

No retainer fees.
No being nickel-and-dimed.
No waiting months just to go live.

I cover the stock photography so you don’t have to.
I write the copy so you’re not staring at a blank screen.
I build it quickly, cleanly, and in a way that makes sense for real businesses — especially rural ones.

From structure to messaging, every page is designed to do its job: tell your story clearly and convert the right people.

If you’ve been putting off your website because it feels overwhelming, this is your sign.

Book a website discovery call through the link in my bio and let’s get your business online — built right, and built fast.

2025 asked a lot—and gave a lot in return.

This year stretched me as a business owner, a strategist, and a person working inside an industry I care deeply about. I had conversations with producers, business owners, and families who are navigating uncertainty, changing markets, and big decisions about how they show up online.

I’m grateful for the clients who trusted me with their brands, their stories, and their livelihoods. Grateful for the behind-the-scenes work that doesn’t make it to Instagram. Grateful for opportunities to contribute to bigger conversations about agriculture, transparency, and rural business in a changing world.

2025 reminded me that marketing isn’t about noise—it’s about clarity, trust, and making things simpler for people who already have enough on their plates.

Looking ahead to 2026 with a lot of intention, grounded optimism, and excitement for what’s being built next. I have some very exciting things to share in 2026.

Thank you for being here.

When that soft little voice told me to resign from my 9–5, I listened.

And it turned out to be the best thing I’ve done for myself in my late twenties.

I’m grateful for the experience I gained there and the friends I made. And I’m just as grateful for the feeling that said, “It’s time to go all-in on The Branding Pen.”

From building secret little websites in the computer room at age 10…
to taking clients full-time…
to running a rural-rooted marketing agency that genuinely lights me up — it’s been the most unexpected full-circle moment.

I’m thankful for my clients, for this industry, and for the chance to wake up every day and build something that feels like mine. 2026 already feels exciting, and I’m just getting started.

If you want to read the whole story of how I got here, the link to my blog is in my bio.

There’s a big difference between someone who posts for you and someone who can actually grow your farm business online.

A social media manager can keep your feed active.
A strategist looks at your goals, your customer behavior, your seasons, your products, and builds a plan that turns attention into sales.

That’s the work I do.
I don’t just schedule posts — I develop full, data-backed marketing strategies for rural and farm businesses so the content we create actually moves your bottom line.

Because when you’re running a farm, you don’t have time to guess your way through marketing. You need clarity, consistency, and a plan rooted in what works.

If you’re ready to hand this part of your business off to someone who understands farm-to-table, rural customers, and the way people buy local food and goods, I’d love to talk.

Shoot me a DM or visit thebrandingpen.ca to learn more.

.
.
.
#farmmarketing #ruralbusiness #farmbusiness #ruralentrepreneur #smallfarmbusiness #marketingstrategy #socialmediamanager #brandingpen #womeninbusiness

If you’re selling your beef farm-to-table, your time is better spent with your herd and your family—not glued to your phone trying to figure out what to post or how to keep up with email marketing.

Your ranch has a story worth telling. But telling that story consistently takes strategy, time, and a trained hand. That’s where I step in.

I offer social media management, email marketing, website development, and business coaching specifically for producers who want their marketing to feel as real, grounded, and trustworthy as the beef they raise.

When you hand this part of your business off, you get more time back to focus on the work only you can do: managing your cow-calf pairs, improving your breeding program, and producing beef you’re proud to put your name on. I take care of the online side—building your community, deepening trust, and increasing sales through the kind of marketing that speaks directly to the customer who wants your beef.

If you’re ready to hand things off to a professional who understands the rural lifestyle and the farm-to-table world, I’m here to help. Send me a message or comment and let’s talk about what you need.

Shelby

.
.
.

#farmmarketing #farmtotable #ranchmarketing #beefdirecttoconsumer #ruralbusiness #ranchlife #cowcalf #ranchersofinstagram #smallfarmbusiness #brandingpen #socialmediamanagement #emailmarketingforfarms

Health Canada has updated its policy on cloned animals — and it means cloned beef could now enter the Canadian food chain without being labeled as such.

Here’s where my concerns lie:
1️⃣ We do not yet have long-term, extensive research to fully understand the risks. The science simply hasn’t had the time to catch up.
2️⃣ We’re entering “playing God” territory. Cloning for research is one thing. Quietly introducing it into the food chain without clear warning is another.
3️⃣ This shifts power away from farmers and toward large corporations. Cloning livestock is not something your average family farm can do — it’s a high-tech, high-capital process. I predict cloned products will be sold at lower prices, making it even harder for small farms to compete and survive.

So what can you do?
🌾 Buy local. Find a farmer in your community and support them directly.
🌾 Farm-to-table producers: start clearly marketing that your cattle and pork are raised naturally — conceived naturally — without somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).
🌾 Farmers: be mindful when purchasing breeding stock. Know whether the animal, or its lineage, comes from cloning.

If you sell farm-to-table beef, raise cattle, or simply care about where your food comes from… this is a policy shift worth knowing about.

Wow. 2025 has been wild.
I can’t believe I’m writing a post about clones.

— Shelby

Whether you want to do it yourself or hand it off completely — I’ve got a social media solution made for your rural business. 📱

Running a ranch or farm means wearing a lot of hats — social media doesn’t have to be one of them.

That’s why I offer two ways to get support 👇🏼
🌾 Option 1: Guidance & Support — Get my full social media audit + 1:1 coaching call so you can take control of your marketing with clarity and confidence. Perfect if you want to DIY it but need a clear plan and expert feedback.

🐮 Option 2: Social Media Management — Let me handle it for you. From content planning and posting to engagement, I’ll help you grow your presence without feeling glued to your phone.

Whichever route you choose, your marketing should feel simple, authentic, and effective — not like another chore on your to-do list.

Comment SOCIAL below and I’ll send you the details, or DM me to see which option’s the best fit for your ranch or small business.

Beautiful imagery by @alexcallaghanphoto

.
.
.

#farmmarketing #ruralbusiness #ranchlife #farmtotable #ruralentrepreneur #ranchbusiness #socialmediamanager #ruralmarketing #brandingpen #womeninbusiness

Yep — the Health Canada is moving to allow beef (and other meat) from animals cloned through somatic-cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and their offspring to hit the market without mandatory labelling or separate pre-market review.

Here’s why that trouble for the consumer side (and why my gut says “uh-oh, not for me and my family”):

While Health Canada says food from healthy clones and their offspring appears “no different” than conventional animals, they also note there’s considerably less information about long term effects, fertility, life span etc. of clones.

More importantly: If there’s no labelling, you as a consumer lose the chance to choose. You don’t know if you’re buying beef from a tradition-raised ranch-animal or one tied to a high-tech cloning process. “Transparency” goes out the window.

And when trust erodes—if people feel they’re not getting the info they need—it doesn’t matter how “safe” something is claimed to be. The doubt itself undermines confidence.

Now, on the bright side. Here’s why this is a major opportunity for farm to table businesses like yours:

1️⃣ If you’re raising beef the honest way—with pasture, with care, with story—you now have a differentiator. Because there’s about to be more beef on shelves with less clarity. Your clarity, your story, your transparency become gold.

2️⃣ Your audience cares. Especially in the farm-to-table world, people don’t just buy meat — they buy values, they buy trust, they buy connection. You can lead with that.

3️⃣ Marketing isn’t just “nice to have” — it’s essential. You stand out by being the one who says: “Here’s where it came from. Here’s how we raise it. Here’s what you’re supporting.”

Now is seriously the time to get loud & proud about being a producer! People will be looking for this kind of business now, so be ready to stand out! Need help doing just that? Let’s make sure your audience knows exactly where their beef comes from — your ranch, your standards, your values.

Comment SOCIAL below or DM me and I’ll send you the info!

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Enter The Branding Pen

@the.branding.pen