The human
behind the work
Mike Berkley has spent his career working with brands big and small, and he started BerkleyWorks to do that work differently. No bloated teams. No unnecessary layers. Just focused, thoughtful design and a partner who actually shows up.
01
Midwest Pride
Born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa, there's nothing better than growing up in Iowa. The Mississippi River was my playground as a kid. My mom comes from a family of farmers, so you could say I've got that natural grit and determination flowing through my veins. I've stomped creeks, husked corn, bailed hay, milked cows – even driven a tractor.
I survived five brutal winters in Minneapolis before chasing the sunshine and battling LA traffic. Living just a six-minute stroll away from the Pacific Ocean was a sweet bonus. But, the Midwest called me back. I packed my bags, set up shop in Chicago, and now I'm loving life here in Evanston.
02
Interests
I travel to eat. From Michelin-starred restaurants to roadside stands, food is how I experience different cultures. College football Saturdays are sacred — tailgating included. Family is everything, even if we're spread out across the country. Fall is my season: jeans, sweaters, crunching leaves. I'm proud of the friendships I've kept since kindergarten, and equally proud of the ones forged in the trenches of agency life. I believe everyone needs a genuine, side-splitting laugh more than they think. And I still write thank you notes. It's a small gesture that goes a long way.
03
Experience
Over the course of my career, I've had the chance to work with brands like Target, Nike, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Home Depot. But some of my most rewarding work has been with startups in rural communities and true mom-and-pop businesses. The scale doesn't matter as much as the partnership. I'm a firm believer that the right collaboration leads to the best work.
I'm an all-around decent guy that loves working with interesting people.
