Welcome to Merit & State

Bringing your business value & vision together

We’re a collaborative creative studio that partners with entrepreneurs and small businesses to create cohesive, personality-packed brands. By blending thoughtful messaging and bold design, we help you stand out, connect with your audience, and show up confidently.

Two women sitting on a beige couch, smiling and looking at a laptop screen, while one holds a coffee cup in her hand.

We create brands that get noticed

Simplicity and personality are at the heart of what we do. We get to know your business, then combine strategic messaging with bold, tailored design to deliver work that feels uniquely you. Our collaborative approach makes the process easy, impactful, and (dare we say) fun—delivering results that not only look effortless but connect with your audience in a big way.

book a call 
how it started

Elevating brands with high-quality design & copy is sort of our signature move

When we met 10 years ago at a corporate job, the connection was instant—real-life besties and work soulmates from day one. And while yes, we’re different in plenty of ways (Sara loves her hot lattes, while Megan prefers iced anything), we think our unique skills make us the perfect match.

Sara’s knack for bold, impactful design and Megan’s talent for crafting words that connect made teaming up kind of a no-brainer. After years of working with everyone from startups to billion-dollar global brands, we saw firsthand how much simpler and more effective it is to combine design and copy under one roof—and so, Merit & State was born.

Sara Beukema, principal designer at Merit & State branding agency, smiling in a grey cardigan sweater.

Sara Beukema
Partner & Principal Designer

Sara brings the aesthetic eye to the team. As a hands-on designer and creative director, she builds memorable brands through unique, instantly identifiable visual design. With a focus on strategy, she anticipates the best solution for each client’s needs that will continue to serve them as they grow.

Megan Hopkins, principal copywriter at Merit & State branding agency, smiling in a cream sweater top.

Megan Hopkins
Partner & Principal Copywriter

Need some wordsmithing? Megan’s your girl. She’s been helping businesses get results through compelling, conversion-focused copy with a side of strategy. A self-proclaimed copy nerd, Megan knows what it takes to effectively reach your ideal clients and what to say once you have their attention.

Merit & state values

Kindness, respect, and thoughtful collaboration lead to amazing things.

Uniqueness is worth celebrating—and it’s the secret to success.

Stay curious, creative, and always be ready to learn.

Less but better. Quality over quantity every single time.

  • “This was such a great experience! Our company's rebrand and new website turned out amazing. After giving Megan and Sara my vision, they were really able to bring it to life! Their onboarding questionnaire was a game-changer, helping me clarify exactly what I wanted. Sara brilliantly transformed my ideas into a stunning design, while Megan found the perfect words to capture everything I had in mind. Great job, ladies!”

    Christy Greico-Smith
    Founder, Perfect 10 Promotions

  • “Merit & State didn’t just make things look pretty—they helped me get clear. They took everything that was living in my head and translated it into a brand and website that reflect how I work and what I stand for. It feels aligned, elevated, fresh, and like me.

    They were fantastic to work with—strategic, thoughtful, creative, and intuitive. I always felt listened to, guided, and supported without it feeling overcomplicated or overwhelming.  I feel confident and proud showing up and sharing my business in a way I didn’t before.

    It’s not new. It’s me, fully realized.”

    Teresa Dillon
    Founder, Reluctantly Styled

  • “Sara and Megan are a dynamic duo. When my business needed some TLC, they helped me refresh my branding and totally overhaul my website. With my own client work keeping me busy, it was a huge relief they worked together seamlessly so I didn't have to manage multiple creatives. Seriously, these ladies are magic and everything they touch turns to gold. Can't recommend them enough!”

    Sandy Diaz Haley
    Founder & Principal, SDH Communications

  • “When I initially launched my business, I started with a self-made website. It got the job done, but I knew it wasn’t reflecting the quality of the work I do with my clients. Hiring Sara and Megan made all of the difference. They helped me create a stunning new site that's not only beautiful but also super functional. They really captured my voice and helped me better articulate my story and my business. They were easy and efficient to work with, and I loved working with them both!” 

    Julia Harman
    Owner, Harman Leadership

  • “I loved working with Sara and Megan! Not only are they both super talented, but they’re also personable and made the whole experience easy and enjoyable. Their insights throughout the process were so helpful — from navigating building a dual language website to setting me up with the tools I needed to start building my email list. My new brand and website are so ME! Seriously couldn't have asked for better partners to work with.”

    Dr. Alex Reyes, DO, FACOG, MSCP
    Gynecologist & Menopause Specialist

  • “Megan and Sara were an absolute pleasure to work with. We used them for our branding and website design and could not be happier with the end result! They completely understood our voice and our vision, even when we didn't even have the words to articulate them. They have created a brand and website that we are excited about and proud to share with everyone. It was easy to communicate with them and convey our goals, they were amazing at bringing them to life! They dedicated their time to our project for a quick turnaround, which was important to us. We look forward to working with them in the future as our business grows!”

    Meagan Wentz
    Co-Founder, We Like to Potty

  • “Megan and Sara bring a rare combination of deep listening, intuitive insight, and technical expertise that makes every interaction feel both effortless and impactful. They have an uncanny ability to hear what’s being said - and what isn’t - and translate that into thoughtful, resonant brand work that feels both strategic and personal. They not only created our firm’s brand standards but have also become go-to partners for ongoing project work for our clients. LOVE THESE LADIES.” 

    Mary Bledsoe
    Founder, Mary Bledsoe Design Studio

  • “Before working with Megan and Sara, I knew my website wasn’t fully reflecting my expertise or attracting the right clients. I wanted something more sophisticated—something that positioned me as a leader in my field and made it clear who I was here to help. Merit & State completely transformed my brand and website, giving me a polished, elevated presence that finally aligns with my mission. Now, I feel confident in how I’m showing up, and my business is positioned to grow. Can't recommend them enough!”

    Marissa McKool
    Founder, The Public Health Burnout

  • “Sara and Megan are an absolute joy to work with and such an incredibly gifted duo. Sara has the rare ability to take what’s in your head and turn it into a visual identity that feels like pure magic! She truly brought our brand to life with very little direction. Megan’s gift with words and her web development expertise ensured that our message was not only beautifully written but also seamlessly translated into a functional, stunning website. Together, they created a brand and site that allowed us to grow from the very day we launched. Our brand now speaks clearly, confidently, and beautifully for itself thanks to Sara and Megan's combined creative genius.”

    Lauren Stockard
    Director, Operations & Strategy, City Mom Media

  • “The whole process was easy and genuinely fun. Brainstorming with them felt collaborative, not transactional. Every piece of feedback I gave was met with openness and a real commitment to getting things right for me, not just checking a box. The result is a website that finally feels like me. It gives people a clear, succinct sense of who I am and what I offer, and it’s given me so much more confidence showcasing my work and my talents. I’ve already recommended Megan and Sara to others, and I'll keep doing so. If you want a team that listens, collaborates, and delivers something that truly reflects you, this is it.”

    Kami Tei
    Founder, Book Haven Collective & The Lean Choice

Ok, tell us all the things.

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL