About

Both is Better is a boutique writing and design firm that is owned and operated by Rachel Estrada Ryan. Fully licensed and insured, Both is Better is also certified by the OEO (the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Economy Opportunity, formally known as the Minority Business Enterprise Council) as a woman- and minority-owned business enterprise.

Rachel graduated with a BA cum laude in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2000, spent three years in research and writing positions at two Philadelphia nonprofits, then started Both is Better in 2003; she now has over 9 years of experience using her writing, design, and project management skills for the public, nonprofit and private sectors of Philadelphia and NYC. Her client list includes fellow artists, city departments, prominent social service organizations, small and startup businesses, and ministries and faith-based nonprofits.  She maintains a solid network of highly-skilled sub-contractors, which allows her to take on the widest possible variety of writing and design challenges.

Rachel’s background in the visual arts dates back to childhood. She has produced a substantial body of work in pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, and watercolor; today, she is an avid paper crafter and a budding seamstress as well. Her transition to graphic design in 2003 blended her lifelong study of color and form with self-taught knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite.

As a writer, Rachel has authored dozens of short stories, personal essays, and articles.  Her work has been published in Writer’s Digest, AAA World, The Pennsylvania Gazette and Philadelphia Weekly.  She continues to pursue freelance journalism opportunities and is at work on a novel.