Five Dog Solutions

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Speed Painting is a painting tool manufacturer. We create tools for painting contractors; specifically, our tools are geared toward door and cabinet door painting, and drying systems. I’m a co-owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Five Dog Solutions?

They’ve been our website provider since 2014 when they redesigned and improved our existing site. The relationship has since changed and grown as the industry has changed and grown.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

After the initial revamp of our website, they started to provide SEO services. They’ve also helped us with online promotions, and we’re now creating a secondary website. Further, they’ve done a lot of design, including for photoshoots.

Just prior to signing up with them, we went through a rebranding campaign that produced a new logo for us. Five Dog expanded on that, and now, we’re actually in the process of rebranding. Additionally, they’re helping us create specific branding for our upcoming 20th business anniversary.

Social media marketing is another huge part of what they do for us. They run all of our social accounts, making bi-weekly posts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and doing a small bit of work on Pinterest as well.

What is the team composition?

Right now, we primarily work with two team members: a web design and content expert and then a social media expert. These two people work very well together. There’s also a third employee who did a lot of content writing work on our new website. I don’t work with the owner much because he delegates well to his team.

How did you come to work with Five Dog Solutions?

We knew the owner, Buck, at his previous company and moved with him when he started Five Dog. There are about 250,000 people in our community but there are very few companies that address all of these needs together without charging astronomical prices. Buck’s costs are completely reasonable for the work they do, and he’s super loyal to his customers.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve paid them an all-encompassing monthly rate of $541 since we started.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since June 2014.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Between their social media marketing and the new website, we’ve seen a 60%–70% increase in online sales — and exponential growth in our company. Once we started paying close attention to our social media, it started growing exponentially. Putting out regular, valid content has done a lot for us. Our customer base has grown remarkably.

We’ve had lots of new communications from current or potential customers. We sell directly to painting contracts — people who paint houses or buildings — through our online sales, but we also sell to painting supply stores. All of Five Dog’s professional branding has validated and legitimized our company. Our customers don’t know that we’re two employees; we look like we’re a 10 or 20-person outfit. This reputation has helped us bring on more painting stores as customers.

How did Five Dog Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

Primarily, we’ve been using email and Zoom throughout COVID to maintain our weekly meetings. Buck is very innovative, and he always brings in new communication tools when they’re needed.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They make our two-person company look like a much bigger company.

Their loyalty to the customer stands out the most, and then it’s their flexibility in working with multiple customers — it feels like we’re their only client.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The only frustration I’ve had over the years is that the employees who are the most educated and skilled in these areas are a bit younger and don’t stay in the position very long. They get job experience and then move up bit by bit. It’s very cool to see — and this happens in every business — but we have to start over with a new set of eyes. On the flip side, this brings you new thoughts about how you can grow and communicate and sell better. It has pluses and minuses.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The people that I work with there don’t just show up for a job; they put their heart, soul, and creativity into it. It’s a company for people who show up for something more than a paycheck.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of an air purification equipment company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Five Dog Solutions?

We hired them to build a website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built us a website from scratch. I think they did some SEO on the website as well to improve our search rankings. 

How did you come to work with Five Dog Solutions?

He was working for another company that I’d hired. After he left that company, we stayed in touch and got to be friends. We’ve known each other for about ten years now. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $50,000–$199,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started in January 2014, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

They’ve done a good job. We’re number one on Google in a number of categories. 

How did Five Dog Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re loyal, dedicated, and intelligent. I don’t have to micromanage them because they do a good job and show me results. They’ve never missed a deadline. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their integrity is impressive. 

Are there any areas they could improve? 

No, they do a good job running my website and a good job running their own business. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

Get out of the way and let them do their thing.