Life & Work with Brandon Reed of South bend

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Reed.

Hi Brandon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey really started back in 2016. I was working as an art director, but I always had this creative side and a passion for animating and making people laugh. One day, I made this short animated video of a kid talking back to his parents—I posted it online, and it blew up overnight.

That video turned into what’s now Lil Ron Ron, a full animated series that’s grown a crazy fanbase over the years. From there, I just kept building—learning more about animation, growing my skills, and turning that momentum into a full-blown brand. Eventually, I was able to quit my job and go all in on content creation and entrepreneurship.

Now, I run several platforms, work with big brands, and continue building businesses around the creative work I love—whether that’s animation, our puppet group, or just finding new ways to connect with people. It’s been a blessing to turn what started as a fun idea into something that impacts so many people.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When I first started, I was still working a job, coming home tired and trying to squeeze in time to animate and create content. I didn’t have the best equipment, I was learning as I went, and a lot of it was trial and error.

There were times when videos weren’t getting the views I hoped for, or I felt stuck creatively. I even had moments where I questioned if I should keep going. On top of that, turning this into a full business came with a learning curve—figuring out how to monetize, handle branding, and wear all the hats that come with being a creator and entrepreneur.

But through all of that, I stayed consistent. I just kept creating, kept learning, and kept showing up—even when things were slow. Looking back, those tough moments helped shape everything I’ve built today.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Yeah, so I’m a full-time content creator and animator. I specialize in storytelling through animation and puppetry, creating funny, relatable content that really connects with people. I’m probably best known for my animated series Lil Ron Ron, which started as a short skit and grew into a full series with millions of views and a strong fanbase.

Outside of animation, I also have a puppet series with characters like Granny and Duke, where we create skits, parodies, and all kinds of funny content. I like to mix creativity with culture and humor—whether it’s through cartoons, puppets, or even product-based content like games or custom merch.

What I’m most proud of is being able to build this from the ground up, doing it my own way. I’ve been able to turn ideas into full series, businesses, and partnerships, all while staying true to my creative style. I think what sets me apart is that I’m not just focused on one lane—I’m constantly exploring new ways to entertain and build community around my content.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I’d say the biggest thing that’s helped me succeed is my resilience. I’ve always had that mindset of “keep going until you figure it out.” There were plenty of times when I didn’t know what I was doing—whether it was animation, building a business, or learning how to grow on social media—but I never let that stop me.

If something didn’t work, I’d just try again a different way. I think being able to push through the challenges, stay consistent, and learn as I go is what really got me to where I am now. That drive to keep showing up, no matter what, has made all the difference.

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