đź’ˇCreative, Purposeful, and Proudly Queer: Meet Rowan Shade Creative
Cowritten by: Charlie (he/they), Founder of Everywhere Is Queer + Rowan Stastny (she/they), Founder of Rowan Shade CreativeAt the heart of Rowan Shade Creative is Ro (she/they)—a roller derby skater turned graphic designer with a mission: to help purpose-driven organizations and small businesses tell their story with clarity, authenticity, and heart.
Like many creatives, Ro’s path to entrepreneurship didn’t follow a straight line. After years in physically demanding jobs and nonprofit work, the rigidity of a 9-to-5 grind just didn’t fit. What did fit? A creative flow guided by intuition, value alignment, and the belief that work should feel nourishing—not draining.
So, while juggling full-time jobs and freelance gigs, Ro slowly began to carve out space for Rowan Shade Creative. A business built not just on design skills, but on values: care, community, and integrity.
“I needed something that worked with my neurodivergent brain,” Ro shares. “Something where I could create meaningfully and support others doing good in the world.”
Rowan Shade Creative
Image of Rowan Stastny, provided by Rowan Stastny
đź’ˇ Designing With Purpose
Rowan Shade Creative specializes in brand design, custom merch illustration, and visual storytelling. But Ro is quick to say—this business is about so much more than logos and color palettes.
“Most of my clients are small businesses or nonprofits founded by people who give a damn. And I’m drawn to that energy,” Ro explains. “I want to work with folks who care—about people, about the planet, about justice.”
Being queer is part of that authenticity. It's not the central “brand” of Rowan Shade Creative—but it’s an important truth Ro honors in every client interaction. Transparency, safety, and community-centered values are a non-negotiable foundation.
“I will never lend my services to any project where the purpose is to spread messages of hate, exclusion, or harm—toward any person, community, or even animals and wildlife.”
🎨 Creativity with Boundaries and Boundlessness
The name Rowan Shade Creative was inspired by Ro’s roller derby persona—an era of their life filled with grit, self-discovery, and unapologetic queer energy. “Creative” was an intentional choice over “Design,” allowing the work to expand beyond what’s traditional.
Right now, that looks like branding, illustration, and custom merch. But Ro is ready to stretch into whatever form creative expression takes next.
And while social media remains an intimidating space, Ro thrives IRL—showing up for community through local events, volunteering in conservation efforts, and helping others build something rooted in care.
When asked what queer joy means, Ro says:
“It’s being able to just show up in a place and know that who I am doesn’t matter. That might sound backward, but it brings me peace. I love the roominess of my queer identity, and how it allows me to shift and grow endlessly if I want to.”
We couldn’t love that more.
✨ Advice for Other Queer Creatives
“Dare to give a damn about something—and then follow that thing. No matter where you’re starting from, following your gut and your passion will always go farther than doing what you think you’re supposed to be doing.” -Ro
🌍 Rooted in Values
Rowan Shade Creative is grounded in a values-based framework that informs every decision, collaboration, and creation:
Authenticity & Integrity – Ro’s work is honest, aligned, and centered on purpose.
Creativity & Curiosity – Every project is a space to explore, grow, and try something new.
Community & Connection – From derby to design to volunteering, Ro is deeply rooted in collective care.
Queer Joy & Liberation – Ro’s identity informs a business that honors safety, fluidity, and freedom of expression—for themselves and their clients.
Sustainability & Service – With a heart for the planet and people, Ro is committed to using their talents in ways that uplift others and protect what matters most.
🌿 Connect with Ro and explore more of their vibrant, values-driven work at www.rowanshadecreative.com
