Fonder Studio

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the founder of an action sports apparel company that is pushing the envelope in performance motocross gear technology.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire FlowState Marketing?

We hired FlowState to develop our website and shoot the media content used within the website.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals for the project was to create a user friendly website with the abilities to display our new gear technology in creative ways.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We selected FlowState after thorough website searches and reading other reviews online.

Describe the project in detail.

From start to finish, our project included designing a website with unique functionality and design. The concepts and functionality that FlowState put into our website were top notch.

What was the team composition?

We had a team manager that we contacted the about most of our project question and thoughts. It was also nice to have direct contact with our developer who was always willing to go the extra mile in fixing any issues we saw.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Upon the launch of our website, the positive responses we had were phenomenal. We had numerous customers and friends telling us how unique and professional the website was.

FlowState had helped us create a moto apparel website that was unlike anything ever seen before and it was well received.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The communication we had between our team and FlowState was excellent. FlowState constantly kept us up on updated information and anytime we needed to get ahold of them they were always available to speak with us.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The most impressive points to highlight about FlowState is their ability to handle all aspects of website development, project creating, and product branding.

Not only can they create a very professional media platform, but they can also help position your brand with merchandise items and other media content all in house. Not very many companies with all these capabilities under one roof.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner and founder of Servant Coffee, an artisan coffee roasting business headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FlowState Marketing?

We wanted to build an e-commerce platform and needed a firm to handle all of the design steps that came along with the process of entering the digital space for the first time.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

All of the brand assets for the company were already in place, such as our logo and loose brand architecture, and FlowState Marketing’s first role was to develop a digital platform and an email service that we could use as a basis for our digital presence.

Their team also develop our merchandise as well. That involved developing a storefront page within the website, as well as designing t-shirts, hoodies, and hats that we now sell on the site.

We also wanted to integrate the website with an app that could support our subscription-based coffee delivery service, and FlowState Marketing helped us interview different app developers and pick the right partner for that so that we could establish the two in tandem with one another.

What is the team composition?

On their end, we had anywhere between 3–6 people working with us depending on what stage of the project we were in.

How did you come to work with FlowState Marketing?

One of the owners of their company operates a sister company that is more of an apparel-based business. I met him at an industry event and got to talk to him, which is when I found out that they had a marketing business as well.

I got in contact with them when we realized this need, and we decided to go with them from there. They turned out to be much smaller and nimbler than our previous marketing partner, so we were more than happy to continue the engagement.

How much have you invested with them?

For all of our work with them, we have spent somewhere in the $30,000–$35,000 range.

What is the status of this engagement?

The whole project ran from about April—October 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As a startup company, it would be a little difficult to quantify the exact impact of their work in terms of additional revenue or profitability, but they really enabled our operations in the digital space. We have gotten a lot of really positive feedback from our customers regarding the site.

From a qualitative perspective, we were incredibly pleased with both the work that they delivered and the attitude of their team. We never doubted their personal commitment to the project and saw them go above and beyond the initial requirements time and time again.

How did FlowState Marketing perform from a project management standpoint?

Overall, they did a very good job managing the project, and our communication was always really open and clear. We had regular face-to-face meetings, and they were always very adaptable, so despite being a brand-new business and discovering more information or things to include frequently throughout the project, we were able to stay more or less on track throughout the entire development process.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They stood out to me from the very beginning because of the excitement and passion for the project that they communicated to us. Not only that, but their previous projects demonstrated a level of commitment and creativity that made me really excited about bringing them to the table. Those two factors gave me a lot of confidence that they would be able to bring our vision to life.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I do think that they could be a little bit sterner to help ensure that we don’t fall behind on any timelines because of client delays. They do a good job having a great attitude and rolling with the punches, but I think something they will gain with more experience is the ability to maintain that while still being fairly strict about their requirements.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Clients need to have a clear sense of scope for the project and be aware of the impact that delays on their end can have on the overall timeline of the project. As long as you give their team specific requirements and stay on top of your work, the project is going to go very smoothly.         

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of Sunny Acre Corp., a restaurant.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FlowState Marketing?

We were going through the process of disfranchising and decided to go out on our own. We needed help with rebranding.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

FlowState Marketing is helping us with the rebranding process. First, they took steps to get a feel for our company before they made any decisions or suggestions. We finalized the rebranding at our location. 

There are a couple of details that we’re working on. FlowState Marketing has provided a new color scheme and logo, along with a new attitude and voice for the restaurant. They’re helping out with the creation of the website right now. They did a temporary website.

They’re also doing a photoshoot of the food and the restaurant, which will be used in digital advertisements that we hired another company to do after the big project is finalized. FlowState Marketing has helped with print advertisements.

What is the team composition?

There are four people. A fifth person came on when we started working on merchandise.

How did you come to work with FlowState Marketing?

I found them online when looking for rebranding companies in Colorado. They were on a list of the best 10, and I started making phone calls. After reviewing their website and what they offered, FlowState Marketing seemed like the right fit. They had the right energy, and it felt like we’d be a good match for each other.

How much have you invested with them?

My company has spent $22,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2019, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’re really well organized and pay a lot of attention to the culture of the place they need to represent. People say the new look is very fresh, and they’re very excited for the changes. The changes are gradual; people still recognize our brand and feel comfortable with it, even though the look and presentation are different.

How did FlowState Marketing perform from a project management standpoint?

They have pretty strong team management. We communicate with a group, but we get answers from one person, which is nice; we don’t have to repeat ourselves to everybody. There is a lot of exchange over email, and we’ve had two in-person meetings. They’re very much on schedule. They give us due dates, and it’s up to us if we want to meet them or not.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a slower and more in-depth process. I was expecting it to be a much faster process. I’m very glad that it hasn’t been, though, because I don’t think I would have defined our restaurant as such if I hadn’t spent the time answering so many questions for them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’d like a more visible schedule. They talk about it, but I’d like to see it. They’re good at giving short-term dates, but not the overall schedule.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give yourself enough time.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We have two SaaS products for healthcare providers: one is a mobile solution that integrates with EMRs, which allows providers to access medical records and document in real-time using their smartphone or tablet, the other is a cloud based solution that streamlines and digitizes the administrative functions for ASC's and surgery clinics.

I am a National Account Manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire FlowState Marketing?

We came to FlowState with an existing logo, brand and marketing material that lacked intentionality, and were looking to partner with some creative types that would take our vision, our values, our core competencies to create a new look and feel that better resembles all of those attributes.

What were your goals for this project?

To develop a new logo, brand and marketing material that would remain relevant, informative, homogenous, and most importantly, depicts accurately and favorably on what DocBuddy is all about.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We had started kicking the tires with various marketing firms, and those initial exploratory meetings with other agencies never had the right fit feel. Whereas from the start it felt more like a real partnership with FlowState in the way they communicated with us, their flexibility in establishing the parameters of the project, setting expectations, and their overall transparency.

Last but not least, it was evident that our vision, values and product actually resonated with them and they were excited to walk this leg of the journey with us.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The overarching project initiatives were logo, brand, web and advertising content. The project kicked off with several discovery meetings with various internal members of both teams, centering on the formation of brand identity. Those meetings then progressed into stylescapes and the build-out of the brand assets, which involved newly designed business cards, letterhead, advertising collateral, presentation templates, etc.

We also utilized FlowState in creating new web content to keep our messaging consistent across all platforms, which is where their flexibility in partnering with us was on full display, because we had already partnered with a separate vendor to do the web design, and FlowState managed that unusual handoff with ease. 

What was the team composition?

The contributors on our end involved mostly everyone at DocBuddy at some point or another, from the Founder/CEO to our account reps, as we're still a small close-knit group that really values each other's feedback, plus FlowState was really great at creating an inclusive forum to share thoughts and refine the content.

We collaborated with 4-5 key contributors on FlowState's digital advertising team througout the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We've began to rollout various aspects of the brand refresh to our current client base and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Each employee at DocBuddy is highly committed to the direction and success of the company and when choosing an outside company to contribute to the look and feel of something so personal, you really want that outside company weighing in to have a shared outlook on things, and all I can say is during the project it became evident that DocBuddy and FlowState are kindred spirits. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I feel like their approach to the project was refreshing because they let us drive and pick a la carte the services we would utilize them for and they did a great job of managing the expectations, the timeline, the costs, a lot of input coming from all directions, to deliver a great end product that exceeded what we had initially hoped for. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nothing comes to mind.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Co-Founder of a new cold brew start up, where I was responsible for creating and expanding the entire brand identity for our young company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire FlowState Marketing?

Since we were just starting out, we needed to develop an entire brand identity, as well as create all of the necessary branding assets. As a company, we were struggling to find our own voice, as well as figuring out how to personify it. We came from backgrounds that were not in branding/marketing, we looked to find a firm that could best help us articulate ourselves through both our messaging and our packaging.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal for the project was pretty straightforward, create a brand identity and packaging that matched that. We cannot say enough good things about FlowState and how this turned out. Not only do we feel our identity is clear and concise, I receive compliments multiple times a day regarding our packaging, which they designed.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We reached out to over 15 firms that we found while searching the web, and recommendations through friends. As we began our search, we prioritized three things: The firm's design aesthetic, their pricing, and the "gut" feeling we got when meeting with them. FlowState really hit the mark on all three. Their motto, "Design With Purpose" could not be more true, their artwork and messaging were exactly that.

We did not want extraneous and unnecessary assets, everything we received had a clear purpose and was to the point. In our initial meeting with one of the owners and their digital director, we hit it off immediately and felt that they understood exactly what we were going for. The team at FlowState is ambitious, creative, and just plain fun to work with. Finally, we felt like we were receiving incredible bang for our buck with our scope of work for the price we were quoted.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The process began with an in depth discovery session, in which myself and my co-founder met with the entire team at FlowState so that they could learn more about us. This session was incredibly helpful, as they knew exactly the questions to ask us. We were initially afraid that we would not be able to articulate our desired direction for our brand, however upon receiving our prospective brand directions, or "stylescapes" we were pleasantly surprised.

Throughout a series of revisions and further meetings, we were able to hash out all things that encompass a brand identity. The process felt incredibly collaborative (something we had requested) and we really felt as though the work was something we had a hand in creating. The team was incredibly communicative throughout the entire project, and we appreciated the transparent, honest creative process. FlowState really went above and beyond in regards to our packaging, designing the label for three totally separate SKU's, and during our legal review were sending us revisions almost immediately as needed.

What was the team composition?

It felt we had the entire company at our disposal, but we had three main contacts. The Digital Director, a Project Manager, and Digital Media Designer. Our project manager kept us apprised to the group's progress, setting up weekly meetings and calls if necessary. Creatively, the design team was just a call or email away.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Our company will be taking our product live in the coming month, so it is hard to give a quantifiable result. However, our brand awareness is through the roof. We've seen a 600% increase in our social media followers since the release of our digital can designs, and as I mentioned previously, I receive multiple compliments a day regarding our packaging.

It will stand out against a shelf, and it has made pre-sales for our products much easier than anticipated. The cans look incredible, and in our first sales meetings, buyers are eager to get them on the shelves ASAP. My business partner and I could not be more excited as well, FlowState exceeded our expectations tenfold.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was incredibly effective. Everyone on our team was accessible during business hours, and even after. Expectations we made clear, and they were upheld. FlowState utilized an online scheduling tool that live-updated their progress on each task, and we could see how it was coming along relative to the timeline we'd agreed upon.

They were also incredibly open to feedback, and when we had issues articulating issues we had with certain things (again, we did not come from creative backgrounds, so would have a hard time explaining why we didn't "like" the way something looked) they knew exactly what questions to ask to get the answers they needed.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

FlowState's commitment to their clients goes above and beyond. There are two things that come to mind when I speak to how impressive they are. First, we had a last second request for something (after hours on a Friday) for some marketing materials with virtually no lead time. We called FlowState's President in a panic, and he picked up on the first ring and helped us out for around thirty minutes. It was only at the end of the call that he let us know that he was literally in the middle of taking his engagement photos and stopped them to help us out.

Second, during the legal review for our labels with the FDA, we had several minute changes that needed to be made. Unfortunately, the FDA doesn't give them to you all at once, but one at a time after each correction is made. Our designer helping us with the labels at FlowState must have sent us over ten revisions within one day, never taking longer than ten minutes to fire something back. He spent the entire day helping us out so that we could push our cans through legal compliance.

Are there any areas for improvement?

FlowState is a very young company. This was part of the reason why we chose them, knowing full well that some of the things we were asking of them hadn't been done at FlowState before. It was a learning process for both of us on some things, but we would do it with them all over again.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We expertly craft premium lifestyle and activewear apparel designed for modern day adventurers. I am the Account Manager and E-Commerce Manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire FlowState Marketing?

We had a struggling, outdated E-Commerce site that needed to be replaced with a modern, responsive E-Commerce solution. We specifically needed and E-Commerce platform integrated with Shopify to provide a D2C platform, B2B platform, and backend inventory and product management solution.

What were your goals for this project?

The solution had to be built with Shopify and provide responsive design and e-commerce capabilities.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We selected FlowState from familiarity with the company and their work.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They developed, designed, and created our e-commerce site and backend inventory management solution. FlowState also implemented content creation for us with media, design, video, and photo for the e-commerce platform.

What was the team composition?

The project team consisted of 3 individuals- developer, digital designer, and lead developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

The project and solution have had a tremendous impact on our company and has helped expand our brand across the country with a full e-commerce presence. It has driven a vast increase in D2C revenue as well as expanded our customer base exponentially.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Project management was arranged very professionally and was extremely effective. Deadlines were met, any problems were addressed early and communicated thoroughly. We communicated via in person, email, slack, and phone. All communication was excellent and we never had any issues.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The most impressive aspect of FlowState and working with them has to the quality of the work matched with the personality and care of their team. They do not look at you just as a client but as a friend and part of their team. Ultimately, they view your long term success as their success. They value transparency and a job well done.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There was very little to improve on. The complete experience was positive from my perspective.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Commercial and residential real estate company that provides a custom solutions based method.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire FlowState Marketing?

We hired FlowState to build out a custom website for our company and develop custom apparel and swag.

What were your goals for this project?

Our website needed to communicate with multiple platforms to give our clients a way to explore the Colorado real estate market.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Because they came highly recommended. FlowState is hands down the most professional marketing firm in town. They have an amazing team that was there to guide my company every step of the way.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They developed a custom website that was able to link to our CRM and multiple listing service (MLS) system, this was crucial to give our clients a seamless experience while also allowing us to help communicate and track our clients wants and needs.

What was the team composition?

The team was made up of two people.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

Our website receives numerous compliments on it functionality and layout from our clients and has helped us generate leads.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The communication and expectation on a time line was clearly laid out and followed.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

There was not just one point that I could pick, working with FlowState was a pleasure because they work as a team to ensure everyones time and dollars are being spent in the most effective way possible and deliver an amazing product.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None from our experiences at this.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the VP of Manufacturing for Proteus Snowboards. We’re a startup trying to bring disruptive technology to the snowboard industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire FlowState Marketing?

We hired FlowState Marketing to produce a well-designed website that explains and demonstrates our new technology to potential customers in a professional and engaging manner.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was a highly interactive website that makes technical information accessible to all customers no matter their knowledge level.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

One of the founders of FlowState Marketing and I are both alumni of the same university. During my time at school, his company’s presence grew both on and off campus. I saw the effectiveness of FlowState Marketing’s branding and marketing skills from a consumer standpoint.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

We needed an interactive and cleanly-designed website comparable to the highest level of companies in our industry. We had FlowState Marketing perform a wide range of services such as branding, content generation, video production, and web development. We were blown away by the level of quality they achieved in everything they did.

What was the team composition?

FlowState Marketing provided us a web project manager and point of contact—Tom (Director of Digital Design, FlowState Marketing)—who then assigned specific tasks to other team members depending on their specialties. Dayna (Director of Communications, FlowState Marketing) provided us excellent advice on marketing and communications; Harry (Lead Web Developer, FlowState Marketing) went above and beyond in developing an interactive website, and Josh (Digital Media Designer, FlowState Marketing) filmed and edited eye-catching videos for the site.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

When we talk to potential customers, one of the first things they mention is our website. They're blown away by the aesthetics and how easy it is to understand our technology just from the content FlowState Marketing produced. On top of that, the site won a local marketing award, which demonstrates the caliber of work FlowState Marketing can provide a client company.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We had one major point of contact who coordinated the work and flow of information between us and other FlowState Marketing employees. Tom was exceptionally effective and always on top of even the smallest of issues we had.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The quality of work was top-notch, but as a snowboard company, we need to reach a specific audience in the outdoor community. FlowState Marketing recognized our target audience and then fully satisfied both our needs and our customer's wants.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I have no idea how FlowState Marketing could improve—they really went above and beyond. I firmly believe that the team has the capabilities of an older and larger marketing company. They even exceed what you might expect of a larger company at a much more personal level.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of Brewery Boot Camps.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FlowState Marketing?

We needed some custom apparel made, so we were looking for a company to help us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We've done all of our custom apparel with them (seven T-shirts and two sweaters). Usually, I give them my ideas or do sketches, and they come up with amazing designs and put everything together.

What is the team composition?

I have two main points of contact, but I also work with other members of their team.

How did you come to work with them?

I took a class, which happened to be at their office. We started talking and they showed me some examples of their work. After that, I decided they'd be a good fit for our needs.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2016 and the relationship is ongoing,

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our T-shirts basically flew off the shelves. Customers love the product and the custom material FlowState developed. They work fast and always help me go in the right direction.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

They do an excellent job. They're always there for me, even when I call them late at night.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very personable. They want to know who we are as a company and how they can help us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They have a very smooth process and communicate with each other. They do great work no matter what person I'm working with.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Co-Founder of Guest Of

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Full-service creative marketing agency, with a focus on content production.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Fonder Studio to accomplish?

• Establish/ create the brand for a new product spin-off
• Provide a brand guide and associated assets
• Support the brands get to market needs

SOLUTION

How did you find Fonder Studio?

Online Search

Why did you select Fonder Studio over others?

• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from Fonder Studio were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The Fonder Studio team is incredibly creative and organized! They established a communication/call cadence right up front and walked us through the process of brand development in a few months sprint cycle. They assisted us in establish the entire brand providing three solid brand options and assisted us in narrowing in on the brand we ultimatley chose. From there they dove deeper into the brand we selected producing a turn-key brand guide and asset bank by the end of the term. I would highly recommend Fonder - we will undoubtedly be working with them again!

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

They set the process up from the start, with deliverables and deadlines; to which all items were met and exceeded expectations!

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Highly responsive, we had a lead creative and account manager, accompanied by a PM. 

What was your primary form of communication with Fonder Studio?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Creativity and ability to take a vision from our thoughts and realize it!

Are there any areas for improvement or something Fonder Studio could have done differently?

No, incredible team - clearly the experts in their field.