Hello! I’m Linda Schenk (a.k.a. Virtuallinda)
BRAND ARCHITECT
With 30+ years in marketing, design, websites, and strategy, I’ve seen how easy it is to get stuck or overwhelmed.
That’s why I blend those services with my Brand Builder Toolkits — to give people like you a smarter, saner way to build. I bring creativity, experience, and AI-enhanced strategy to help you untangle your thoughts, see what matters, and move forward — clearly, confidently, and without the chaos. Let’s build your brand together.
Leverage my experience for your brand.
A little bit of my help can save you hours of frustration.
Since 1994, I’ve worked with a wide variety of clients and projects — from scrappy startups to established organizations — giving me a perspective you won’t find in cookie-cutter branding programs.
I see how the moving parts fit together (and the blind spots most people miss). My role is to connect strategy, design, and tech into a living Toolkit — turning scattered ideas into clear steps so you can save time, avoid mistakes, and build a business that fits your life.
Use my “toolbox” of modular solutions to build your brand.
Done-WITH-you systems & services for solopreneurs who want to market without burnout. My solutions link together like blocks to create a custom fit.
We’ll use your custom Brand Builder Toolkit to guide our work together.
Use my “toolbox” of modular solutions to build your brand.
Done-WITH-you systems & services for solopreneurs who want to market without burnout. My solutions link together like blocks to create a custom fit.
We’ll use your custom Brand Builder Toolkit to guide our work together.
Create your compelling marketing materials.
I’ll craft your magnetic marketing message to attract ideal clients.
I can also design your brand identity, website, business cards & more.
Scroll through to see some client examples of brand identity.
Click the small images to see a larger size. View the categories for more examples.
Create your compelling marketing materials.
I’ll craft your magnetic marketing message to attract ideal clients. I can also design your brand identity, website, business cards & more.
Scroll through to see some client examples of brand identity:
To learn more, just click the + bar below:
Since 1994, I’ve worked with a wide variety of clients and projects, giving me a unique perspective to apply to your challenges.
I see the big picture of how brand-building pieces fit together—and the blind spots business owners often miss. My passion is sharing expertise in design, branding, strategy, and usability to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to go.
I’m your creative and strategic partner, helping you turn goals into action and bring ideas to life—so you can avoid mistakes, save time and energy, and make building your business easier.
The internet has been my creative playground for decades — personally and professionally.
Throwback: Virtuallinda as “The Diva” rockin’ a 1999 tiara while working in Silicon Valley as a dot-commer.
I’ve been building websites since 1997, when I jokingly named myself “Virtuallinda”. The name stuck and it makes it easy to find me online (@Virtuallinda at all the social networks), at home in Baltimore, or when I’m traveling (one of my favorite pastimes)! Nope, I’m not a virtual assistant… the name came when “cyberspace” and “virtual reality” were buzzwords.
Web technology was so new that I had to make up projects. What better way to learn Photoshop than channeling Andy Warhol? I’m still “making up projects”, it’s just turned into The Sun Today, a year of posting “holiday of the day” on Instagram to learn Canva, and more.
I taught myself how to build websites, reading a book by Lynda Weinman that I bought from a bookstore stand at the Web ’97 Conference. In 1999, I moved to California as part of the dot-com boom — to work for that same bookstore! They were online, competing with a website called Amazon…I wonder what happened to them? I was their lead designer, part of internet history from 1999-2001. Then the dot com bust happened, and I figured out how to adapt and change. This is all part of who I am, and why I build brands the way I do.
I honestly don’t know what I would do if I wasn’t a business strategist and designer because it’s so much a part of me. I LOVE what I do, and I LOVE helping other people with my talents and expertise.
I believe that everyone should have a virtual version of themselves that will be working when they aren’t. As a business owner, you will be working harder and wasting time, money & energy if you ignore your online brand.
I launched my business with skills in graphic & web design, but I had to figure out the other components of business building. It was a long road, so I want to help make it easier for others.
I know what it’s like to struggle, and want to make it easier for other business owners. Woven into all of my strategic recommendations is real life experience of ways to make the business building process less stressful and more profitable. I have experienced the stress of less-than-ideal clients, of trying to offer too many services, of having to adjust around unexpected illness and other surprises.
2023 Virtuallinda. Some things never change.
I’ve found balance and ways to take back my sanity and grow a profitable business that is truly what I’m meant to be doing in life. I want you to experience this, too.
Over and over, my website has allowed doors to be opened. The web connects people. Your online brand allows you to make it easier to connect to the RIGHT ones.
My online brand has made it easier for me to find new opportunities and connect with the right people to move forward. In 1998, I had survived layoffs but was looking for a job. Without even applying, The White House found my website, contacted me and offered me a job as a web designer during the Clinton administration. I turned it down to move to Silicon Valley in 1999. I searched for jobs from Maryland, using my website to showcase my abilities.
Showing off my geeky side with my cat, Pixel.
After getting laid off during the dot-com bust, my online brand helped me connect with freelance opportunities. I’ve met a ton of people (including my husband) by first connecting online with Meetup.com and other sites, then going to events in person.
As an Entrepreneur, I’ve continued to use my online brand to assist with referrals and get leads of awesome clients. I’d love to help you do the same!
I’ve had many versions of my brand and business over the years, adapting to changing circumstances. Start. Stop. Change. Grow. is what I have lived. My approach for life and business comes from my real experiences. My Brand Builder Framework has evolved to help me, and my clients, have businesses that work for us — and for what life throws our way. I may be named Virtuallinda, but there is a human touch in everything I do.
The bright colors, movement, playful part of my brand…that’s my reminder that I need to find joy in my brand. It’s tapping back into my roots from the early days of the internet when creativity, problem-solving, and fun were part of work. I hope to bring this positivity to my clients, even if we are trying to solve problems and navigate life’s challenges.
Let me be a bright light. Let’s find the vision of what YOU want to build.
I primarily work with people virtually, via phone or online, but you can also meet me in the Baltimore, MD area.
Linda in Real Life
Here I am, makeup-free and with my trusty NASA hat that I wear on my walks in the sunshine. I have a winter NASA hat for cold days. We are living in the world of polished Instagram-worthy people with glossy photos and curated content. I may not be glamorous, but I’m a real person. I do make a choice about what I share (and don’t share) online. I believe that’s a choice we all can make, based on our values and goals.
I always try and make the best of circumstances, and practice what I preach. In March 2020, I started walking outside with a goal of 100 miles—a challenge for me with ergonomic issues. I hit that goal and I’m now at 1536 miles and counting. I put effort into it every day, and adjusted for life circumstances…the same concepts as I use for brand building.
This time “out of the office” has become an essential part of my approach. I listen to podcasts, noodle on new ideas, think about my client’s projects from a different perspective, or just take time to do a complete mind reset. While I’m out, my online presence still works so people can reach me. We shouldn’t be working 24/7, but our brands can on our behalf!
Let’s talk about creating a brand to work for you, too!
Connecting People Through Solar Science
In 2009, I co-founded The Sun Today, an educational brand that explains the sun, space weather, eclipses, & related science in an easy-to-understand way. My design and strategy helped build this community by blending education with excitement about the sun. It reaches millions of people, and the site is often quoted by reporters globally.
I leveraged our brand as part of the Education & Public Outreach (EPO) Team for the Transit of Venus, winning the Robert H. Goddard Team Award and the NASA Headquarters Team Award in 2012. The Sun Today shares on exciting events such as space weather, eclipses, mission launches, and auroras.
I love getting outside to #lookup. I love travel to see space events like southern hemisphere dark skies, eclipses, and aurora. Solar activity is increasing, and this gives The Sun Today a lot to talk about online. It’s an amazing way to connect people through their love of space!
Strategies from this project can be applied to your brand.
