Sublmnl, a Cabarrus County-based brand development and digital marketing studio, has been named Small Business of the Year at this year’s Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards. The award recognizes local businesses that have demonstrated outstanding growth, community impact, and resilience, and Sublmnl was honored for its continued investment in both its clients and the Cabarrus County community.

Sublmnl is a full-service brand development and digital marketing studio that partners with businesses, government entities, nonprofits, and organizations across a wide range of industries, including hospitality, food and beverage, construction, entertainment, and government. The studio’s approach combines strategic insight with bold creative execution, helping clients clarify their messaging, strengthen their identity, and stand out in a competitive market.

That strategic approach has translated into measurable growth. Over the past four years, Sublmnl has achieved 20% year-over-year revenue growth, driven by a shift from purely creative services toward a broader, full-spectrum brand development model. In 2025 alone, the studio added 10 new clients, a 35% increase in recurring project volume, while maintaining a client retention rate exceeding 85% since 2021.

Sublmnl’s growth has never come at the expense of its commitment to the community. Founder Justin Moore is an established, active presence in Cabarrus County, serving on the boards of the Cabarrus Chamber, the Historic Cabarrus Association, and the Cabarrus Arts Council, and mentoring businesses through Venture Mentor Services with the Flywheel Foundation.

That commitment shows up in real, tangible investment. In 2025, Sublmnl developed the Chamber’s new website. The new platform modernized the Chamber’s digital presence and saves the organization a substantial amount of money annually in hosting costs alone compared to its previous web presence. Sublmnl also designed the Chamber’s visual identity and continues to provide ongoing creative and marketing support.

Sublmnl’s community investment extends further still: a complete brand redevelopment for the Historic Cabarrus Association is set to launch later in 2026, including a new identity, website, e-commerce integration, and a fully reimagined Historic Visitors Center experience.

Sublmnl’s award also reflects a track record of resilience. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted nearly 40% of the studio’s active projects in 2020, Sublmnl restructured its service model around digital-first strategies, reduced overhead by nearly 35%, and offered discounted support to local small businesses navigating the same uncertainty. This decision built lasting community trust and fueled a strong post-pandemic rebound.

That same drive for innovation led to the development of Sublmnl’s proprietary Integrated Brand Ecosystem (IBE). This methodology connects brand strategy, creative execution, and measurable digital performance into one cohesive framework, helping clients see real, tangible results from their branding investment rather than treating design as a one-off exercise.

Despite its growth, Sublmnl remains a small, agile studio. Justin Moore’s leadership philosophy centers on autonomy, collaboration, and shared accountability, prioritizing contractors who bring both creative excellence and a genuine commitment to community involvement, the same values that define Sublmnl’s brand.

Winning Small Business of the Year recognizes Sublmnl’s growth and impact to date and motivates what’s ahead. We remain committed to helping Cabarrus County businesses and organizations thrive through strategic branding and marketing, while continuing to invest directly in the community that made this recognition possible.

Sublmnl thanks the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce for this honor, and its clients, partners, and community for their continued trust and support.

If you’re looking to strengthen your brand and grow with a strategic partner rooted in community, contact us today to start the conversation.