Doctors and counselors once told Noah Wiese he could not achieve full independent success. Diagnosed with autism in sixth grade, the 2024 Cedarville University graduate now works as the marketing director for two Chick-fil-A restaurants in Dublin, Ohio, while growing his own branding business — Contagious Creative.
Wiese launched Contagious Creative in 2025 to help clients strengthen how they present themselves professionally through résumés, LinkedIn banners, email newsletter templates and other custom visual media. As he builds his business, he hopes it will generate a self-sustaining income that supports his long-term goal of overseas missions.
“The mission of Contagious Creative is to make people as contagious as possible,” said Wiese, “and I help others do that through a suite of visual assets to build their personal brand. I use design to help people get their names out there, gain a competitive edge, accelerate that next career step or clinch that promotion.”
How Cedarville University and the International Center for Creativity shaped Wiese’s vision
During his time at Cedarville and the International Center for Creativity in Columbus, Ohio, where Wiese studied the intersection of business, art and engineering through industrial design, he recognized the parallel between business and missions and saw an opportunity for global impact.
“Business is a vehicle with massive potential for connecting with communities and transforming those communities for the sake of the gospel,” said Wiese. “I want to go to the nations and tell them about Christ, so the goal is to generate a self-sustaining income so that I can live overseas on the mission field.”
Christian faith and overseas missions drive the purpose behind Contagious Creative
Wiese’s Christian faith and commitment to service shape the twofold mission behind Contagious Creative.
“I chose the name Contagious Creative for two reasons,” said Wiese, who is originally from Minnetonka, Minnesota. “I started the business to be a contagious vehicle for Christ, sharing the name of Jesus however directly or indirectly that may be. But I also wanted to create visuals that are contagious, that don’t just do the job but that are eye-catching, clean, bold and visually tell a story.”
While balancing responsibilities at Chick-fil-A and involvement at his local church, Wiese has already helped four clients strengthen their personal brands and expand their professional visibility and has more in the pipeline. He is seeking new clients as he grows his business and builds toward the future he has in mind.
Autism, creativity and entrepreneurship shape Wiese’s long-term goals
Rather than allowing a diagnosis to define him, Wiese has leveraged his creative strengths, entrepreneurial mindset and personal faith to build a career centered on service, creativity and global outreach. Each campaign and client project adds experience he plans to carry with him, wherever his work eventually leads.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.