ABOUT
Our BSD STory
The beginning.
Buy Side Design was born from a rare fusion of deep market expertise and creative firepower. Founder Brenna Hardman started her career in the trenches of high finance—executing institutional orders in the SPX and VIX pits on the CME and CBOE trading floors. She later took to the airwaves as a CBOE broadcast reporter, breaking down complex trades for a global audience.
Her journey didn’t stop there. At ABN Amro, one of the world’s largest financial institutions, she transitioned into marketing and design, mastering the art of visual storytelling, video production, and brand strategy—all with an insider’s understanding of the markets.
Brenna saw a glaring gap in the industry: financial firms were either relying on outdated branding or struggling to articulate their value in a way that resonated with investors. She knew she could bridge that gap. With her deep market knowledge, FINRA and SEC regulatory licenses, and creative expertise, she launched Buy Side Design to bring Wall Street-level precision to branding.
Today, BSD has worked with top hedge funds, institutional traders, Web3 pioneers, and fintech disruptors, crafting powerful brand identities, investor materials, and high-impact video content. Every project is built on a foundation of strategic clarity, bold creativity, and market-savvy execution.
Buy Side Design isn’t just about making things look good—it’s about making financial brands work, win, and stand out.
Brenna hardman
From the Trading Floor to the Design Studio
Brenna Hardman’s career trajectory is a blend of high finance and high-impact creativity. Starting on the frontlines of Chicago’s CME and CBOE trading floors, she executed institutional orders and traded within the fast-paced world of the SPX and VIX pits. Her time there gave her a unique understanding of how financial markets operate and the language of investors. After years of navigating the trading world, Brenna pivoted into media, joining CBOE broadcast where she brought market insights directly to the public, honing her ability to simplify complex financial information.
With a clear vision of how branding and communications were lacking in the finance world, she moved to ABN Amro as Director of Marketing. It was here that Brenna mastered the craft of graphic design, video production, and brand strategy, seamlessly integrating these skills with her financial expertise. Her deep knowledge of the markets, paired with her creative prowess, allowed her to create branding that not only looked sophisticated but was also strategically aligned with investor expectations.
What Sets Her Apart
Brenna’s background is a rare blend of market expertise, creative design, and deep regulatory understanding—making her a standout in the industry. With FINRA and SEC licenses, she brings a level of financial literacy and compliance awareness that sets her apart from most designers. This blend allows her to craft branding and communication strategies that are not just visually stunning, but also resonate deeply with investors and stakeholders while adhering to strict regulations. She doesn’t just craft designs—she builds brands that understand the market and speak directly to the investor.
“I don’t just make things look good—I make them work for your investors.”
Whether she’s creating high-level investor materials, building brand identities from the ground up, or producing compelling video content, Brenna’s work is defined by her market-driven approach, creativity, and unwavering focus on investor needs.
branding
Visual Identity
Iconography
Brand Guidelines
Websites + Digital
Image Banks
strategy
Strategy Development
Growth Plans
Target Demographics
Prospect Targeting
Measurement
Distribution
Marketing
Media
Public Relations
Influencers
Incentification
We love our job!
At Buy Side Design, we thrive at the intersection of finance and creativity. Whether it’s crafting a bold brand identity, designing investor materials that command attention, or producing high-impact videos, we bring strategy and storytelling together to make financial brands stand out. Every project is a chance to elevate our clients—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Branding
Visual Identities
Materials
Websites
Social Media
Brochures
Adverts
Investor Decks
Videos
Messaging
Fact Sheets
Copywriting
Infographics
Email Marketing
Storytelling
Graphic Design
Market Reports
Pitchbooks
Sales Collateral
Event Marketing
Digital Promos