By: Joshua Finley
Brandon J. Triola, a multi-million-dollar creative business owner, author, and entrepreneur, has a difficult message for creative professionals struggling in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world: “Nobody is coming!” Nobody is coming to help you. Nobody is coming to save your job or your career. It’s tough, but it’s true. We’re witnessing an entire industry become commoditized almost overnight. Thanks to artificial intelligence and the rapid expansion of crowdsourcing creative services sites and low-cost creative subscription platforms, creative services professionals across the globe are in fear of going extinct. Enter, Brandon J Triola. “I looked at the creative landscape over the last two years and realized nobody was coming to help creatives like me. So I decided to do something about it.”
As the co-founder of Forrest Co, a global brand and marketing consultancy that helps some of the largest digital transformation companies in the world, Triola has built a reputation for driving breakthrough growth with their proprietary, human-centered frameworks. But his work doesn’t stop there. Brandon’s unique mission is to help creative professionals—no matter their background, skill set, or level of talent—unlock abundant success, outlast the rise of AI, and avoid the traps of commoditization.
The world of creative professionals is facing unprecedented challenges. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, crowdsourcing platforms, and saturation of content and courses, creative services and the humans who deliver them are becoming a commodity. We have more courses, conferences, and content than ever when it comes to helping creatives create better, but all of these tools miss the mark when it comes to helping creatives avoid the wave of commoditization we’re seeing. Talent alone is no longer enough to ensure success. Brandon Triola’s message challenges traditional thinking by pointing out that while many influencers and educators focus on honing creative talent, true success lies in the ability to add value that goes beyond mere skill.
For Brandon, it’s not just about teaching creatives to be better at what they do. It’s about teaching them how to become irreplaceable in a world where their services are increasingly commoditized. His message is clear: talent will not save you from the forces of AI, automation, or the overwhelming supply of inexpensive creative services. Instead, creative professionals must learn how to evolve and adapt, positioning themselves as irreplaceable and valuable in ways that machines and crowdsourcing platforms cannot replicate.
Brandon’s path to becoming a leading advocate for creative professionals has been anything but conventional. Starting with no formal degree or formal training, he spent over a decade learning and perfecting his craft as a designer, brand strategist, and creative consultant. Through grit, persistence, and self-education, he built his own creative services businesses from the ground up. Within a year, Brandon and his cofounder, Nate Netti, had turned their business into a multi-million-dollar success—a feat that few in the creative industry can claim.
Brandon’s success was driven by a combination of human-centered marketing strategies, strategic brand-building, and an understanding of how creativity and business intersect. This unique expertise has helped Forrest Co. serve clients across the globe, guiding them through the complexities of brand development, digital transformation, go-to-market, and demand generation. In addition to this work, Brandon has dedicated himself to helping other creative professionals navigate the new challenges of a rapidly evolving landscape.
He has turned his experience into a blueprint for others, offering practical tools, insights, and strategies that empower creatives to achieve what he calls abundant success. One of the core principles that Brandon teaches is that success for creative professionals today is not just about talent; it’s about adaptability, resilience, and value creation. In a world where the supply of creative talent is endless, the key to success lies in becoming someone who is indispensable—not just for their skill, but for the unique value they provide to clients and industries alike.
Through his website, brandontriola.com, and his social media presence, Brandon shares these insights with the world, offering weekly articles, tips, and strategies through the Save The Creatives initiative. The newsletter, aimed specifically at creative professionals tired of struggling in a crowded and competitive market, provides actionable insights that can help them achieve abundant success, regardless of their current skill level or experience.
Brandon also continues to reach new audiences through his books and speaking engagements, where he challenges creatives to reframe their approach to the marketplace they’re in. He encourages his followers to view themselves as more than just service providers. Instead, they should position themselves as strategic partners who bring valuable insights, creativity, and innovation that go far beyond the typical job description of a “creative professional.”
His work extends to his consultancy, Forrest Co, where he and his team continue to shape the future of brand and marketing strategy for some of the biggest players in the digital transformation space. But despite his work with high-profile clients, Brandon remains committed to the grassroots mission of helping creative professionals—no matter where they are in their career journey—achieve their full potential and build sustainable, successful careers.
“I just believe that we–the creative people are the ones divinely appointed to beautify the earth. It’s people like you and me who bring ideas, businesses, and movements to life. If creative people get replaced, I believe humanity will suffer. When creatives thrive, society thrives. Businesses thrive. Families thrive. I’m not against AI, but we can’t let it replace us. We can’t let crowdsourcing sites commoditize us. We have to save the creatives!” -Brandon J Triola.
Brandon’s message resonates because it speaks directly to the fears and uncertainties that so many creative professionals feel in today’s climate. With AI tools now capable of creating designs, writing content, and even generating art, many creatives are fearful for their futures. However, Brandon has a different perspective: AI may change the landscape, but it can never replace the human touch, creativity, and emotional intelligence that creative professionals bring to the table. His message to his audience is one of hope, resilience, and opportunity, teaching them how to navigate the changing tides and continue to thrive in an increasingly automated world.
Whether you’re a designer, a writer, a strategist, a photographer, a videographer, a painter, a musician, or a consultant, Brandon Triola’s message is clear: creativity is not just about making things. It’s about making things that matter, that are valued, and that can withstand the pressures of an ever-changing marketplace. By focusing on value, not just talent, creative professionals can not only survive but thrive in the face of AI and crowdsourcing.
To follow Brandon’s journey and get more insights into his approach to creative success, visit BrandonTriola.com or follow him on Instagram at @BrandonTriola.
For more information about Forrest Co, visit Forrest-Co.com.
Brandon Triola’s insights are essential for any creative professional looking to adapt, grow, and succeed in the age of AI and digital transformation.
Published by Emma N.
