At just 18 years old, Landon Bruski is no ordinary college freshman.

While most of his peers are focused on adjusting to college life, Bruski has been busy running his own branding and digital marketing company, Bruski Branding Services.

Founded when he was only 16, the Huntsville-based business has already served more than 40 clients across the United States, delivering customized branding strategies, web development, and digital marketing solutions.

A Michigan native, Bruski moved to Huntsville three years ago with his family during the height of the pandemic. Settling into life at Madison County High School, he found himself drawn to helping small businesses, starting with his own mother’s dog grooming company.

“My mom didn’t know much about social media or graphic design, so I decided to help her out,” he explains. “From there, I started helping family friends and church members with small projects.”

What began as a passion for film and graphic design quickly turned into a full-fledged business.

Bruski taught himself website building using online tools and skills he learned in his high school computer science classes. By 17, he officially launched Bruski Branding Services, working with small businesses across industries — from lawn care to occupational therapy.

One of Bruski’s biggest challenges was bridging the digital knowledge gap many of his older clients face, especially those from the baby boomer generation.

“A lot of them don’t realize how much small errors in search engine optimization can hurt their business,” he says.

For example, a lawn care client once listed “Huntsville” as their location on their website without specifying Alabama, leading to inquiries from people in Huntsville, Texas, instead.

“These small details can make a huge difference in targeting local customers,” Bruski explains.

To address these gaps, Bruski emphasizes the importance of helping small businesses adapt to a digital-first economy.

“Many of these businesses rely on traditional brick-and-mortar methods, but more than 70% of customers now search online for services,” he says.

By offering personalized solutions and building relationships with his clients, he’s been able to help them increase their online visibility and grow their reach. His efforts have led to measurable results, with clients seeing, on average, a 20% increase in site views.

Despite his success, Bruski is quick to admit that the journey hasn’t been easy.

“When people hear ‘18-year-old business owner,’ they don’t expect someone with all the answers—and I didn’t have them when I started,” he says.

Early on, he learned the importance of trial and error. “I made mistakes, but each one taught me something that helped me grow.”

Now a freshman studying business administration and marketing at the University of Alabama, Bruski balances college life with running his company. His long-term goal is to continue supporting local businesses in Huntsville and beyond.

“This community has been so supportive, and I want to give back,” he says.

For young entrepreneurs, Bruski has one piece of advice: start now.

“You don’t need a perfect plan, a degree, or even a lot of money. I started with nothing but a laptop, some free design tools, and a lot of late-night Googling,” he says. “If you have an idea, take the first step. It won’t be perfect, but every mistake is a lesson that gets you closer to your goal.”

As Bruski reflects on his journey so far, he says his greatest reward is knowing he’s making a difference. “If a teenager from Huntsville can find a way to help small businesses thrive, anyone can. It’s all about believing in yourself and taking that leap.”

To learn more about Landon Bruski’s work or to inquire about services, visit bruskibrandingservices.com.